bonepain
Registered User
Posts: 26
(7/6/01 9:01:41 pm)
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Texas Programs
Anyone out there know anything about the programs down in Texas?? I don't live there, but I did in the
past and am thinking about going back. Baylor, UT San Antonio, and UT Southwestern all seem to have
a lot of clout and strong reps... and UT Galveston I hear is pretty cush in terms of lifestyle. I haven't
heard much about any of the others. Anyone have additional useful info on these places.
orthohopeful
Registered User
Posts: 9
(7/8/01 10:21:18 am)
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Texas
I'm at Southwestern, one week into my ortho rotation. I can tell you what I know and what I've heard as
well.
Southwestern is considered the best (most high-powered academically) program in Texas by most who
you ask. The training is quite rigorous, especially during the second year during which the residents are
worked extremely hard but learn a tremendous amount. You are expected to do at least one publishable
research project. The chairman Bucholz is very well known and a very nice guy as far as I can tell (just
met him this morning), but his expectations are high. Third year is spent entirely away from Parkland
(our home base), doing rotations at Scottish Rite children's, the VA, and other places. This is considered
the easy year. Fourth and 5th years you take call again like the second year (q4) but they seem to mainly
be involved in surgeries and decision making in the more difficult cases (i.e. they don't get called
constantly unless the R2 needs their expertise). These last two years really seem to focus on developing
operative savvy.
Take all this with the knowledge that I've only been on the service for 8 days, but it is what I know so
far. Dallas is an awesome place to live, but a little pricey as far as real estate, etc. One thing I can tell you
with certainty about Southwestern is that you pretty much have to rotate here to get an interview (or to
get ranked). The main thing they want to know about you is if you are willing to work hard, and they
can't tell that without seeing you in action first hand. So if you have a real interest in UTSW, do a month.
Also, there are about 15-17 guys at last count applying out of this year's class, and UTSW is pretty fond
of its inbreeds (in all programs).
I know nothing about UTSA. UT Houston is supposedly an up and coming program in Texas with a new
and respected chair, and they are slowly living down a past reputation for malignancy. I heard this from
people that rotated there, but I have no direct knowledge.
Baylor I have heard a wide range of things. Some people say it's horrible, with malignant attendings and
paltry operative experience while others tag it as a good place to train with a great chairman that is
steering the program in the right direction. If anyone knows more, please post here because I'm
considering a month down there.
Galveston is the cushest of cush with q7-8 call, but the people I know that rotated there had a good
experience and say they could definitely handle training there. I have heard they lost some of their
referral base a couple of years ago when Texas underwent some reorganization of which counties send
patients where for tertiary care, so you might ask someone down there how many cases they get
compared to other programs. Galveston is a pretty crappy place to live if you ask me, but the fishing is
great and Houston is just an hour away.
Scott and White (Temple, TX) - don't know too much, I do know that their residents sometimes do
rotations at Southwestern and are generally considered to be very very good. Temple is a lackluster
town, not too much fun especially if you are single. Perhaps others know more and will post.
bonepain
Registered User
Posts: 27
(7/8/01 5:51:20 pm)
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15-17?
Thanks for the good info.
15-17 people from one class at UTSW applying for ortho?? Wow, that's amazing. I think there are 4 or 5
from my school. I did notice on the web that UTSW seem to take a lot of UTSW students.
orthohopeful
Registered User
Posts: 11
(7/11/01 12:41:22 pm)
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more info
I did some asking of people who presumably know what they are talking about (attendings) and this is
what I hear about the texas programs. They divide into three tiers as far as prestige and
competitiveness.
1. UT Southwestern, UT San Antonio
2. John Peter Smith (Ft. Worth), Galveston, UT Houston
3. Baylor, Scott & White, Tech
I was shocked to hear that Baylor is a bottom tier school among Texas programs, but it is what I've
been told relatively consistently so far.
I'm just repeating what I've been told, to those who might get offended. I wish someone else would add
some insight here, these are all places I'm applying.
bonepain
Registered User
Posts: 30
(7/11/01 2:19:58 pm)
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UTSA and Baylor
I think the information about UTSA is based more on past reputation more than anything else. Most
people I talk to say that UTSA is going downhill fast in terms of ortho. Rockwood is an old man, and
although he has a lot of clout, the program itself is suffering. In fact, the current chairman of UTMB
recently turned down the chairmanship at UTSA. As for Baylor, I have also heard mixed things about the
program. Most people have told me to steer clear of that place. Apparently, the department is currently
in turmoil, with the chairman quitting and then coming back. However, Baylor is probably the biggest
medical name in Texas, so I would not be surprized if they turned it around soon. However, I suppose
the best option in Houston right now is UT-Houston, which I have been told is an up and coming
program with a dynamic, young chairman.
I am starting to take a long look at UTMB. The residents I hear are all very well trained in a very
non-abusive environment. They have something like 15 full-time faculty and I hear the entire deaprtment
is moving to it's own hospital.
OrthoResident
Registered User
Posts: 2
(7/24/01 10:18:47 pm)
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Re: more info
Sorry, but your ranking is way off. Having interviewed at almost all the Texas programs, rotated at two,
and getting the low down from the chairmen, faculty, residents, and students, the most accurate ranking
by Tiers would be:
I: Southwestern (great Chair, great rep, but somewhat malignant and too Trauma heavy).
II: Baylor (great rep, great operative experience, but a little fragmented experience), UTMB (Galveston,
great faculty, relaxed atmosphere, great operative experience, but Trauma and Reconstruction a little
weak). Oklahoma and Arkansas(yeah, I know they're not in Texas, but they're great programs, with few
weaknesses, except for being in Oklahoma City or Little Rock).
III. Texas A&M (Temple sucks) and Texas Tech (Lubbock sucks) - the programs however are very
strong. UT San Antonio - used to be a Powerhouse - USED to be. But all you get there is tons of
trauma, tons of horrendous call, and little supervision. It will need a few years to get back to it's old rep
and experience.
IV. UT Houston and John Peter Smith.
Most of the opinions here are based on first hand experience, and opinions shared with me by faculty
and residents. Hope it helps.
BonesNY
Registered User
Posts: 5
(7/25/01 7:29:21 am)
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Galveston?
Not having ever been near Texas, what is Galveston like? I know its right on the coast. Some input
would be appreciated. Thanks.
orthohopeful
Registered User
Posts: 13
(7/25/01 12:18:01 pm)
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good comments
Thanks for the info OrthoResident. I find it very interesting how differently people can see programs. I've
only got the perspective of being at one place and it helps to hear others' views.
Baylor is still an enigma to me. I've heard about 70% that its awful and 30% that its wonderful. Not
much in between. Very strange indeed.
For a mildly qualified answer to BonesNY question about Galveston. The town is the main drawback of
that program. It is small on the gulf coast of texas, high crime, not too many good jobs for spouses.
I've heard from UTMB students that some residents actually live halfway between Galveston and Houston
to get the advantages of both. If you like to fish, then Galveston is the place to be.
