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University of South Alabama
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University of South Alabama Orthopedic Residency Program, Mobile, AL
User reviews
1 review
Overall rating
9.3
Staff Surgeons
10.0(1)
Didactics/Teaching
8.0(1)
Operating Experience
10.0(1)
Clinical Experience
10.0(1)
Research
6.0(1)
Residents
10.0(1)
Lifestyle
10.0(1)
Location
10.0(1)
Overall Experience
10.0(1)
USA review from rotator
(Updated: December 12, 2011)
Overall rating
9.3
Staff Surgeons
10.0
Didactics/Teaching
8.0
Operating Experience
10.0
Clinical Experience
10.0
Research
6.0
Residents
10.0
Lifestyle
10.0
Location
10.0
Overall Experience
10.0
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
The faculty here are excellent. Trauma, Hand, Peds, Sports, F/A, and Joints are all covered by top-notch guys in house. They also have an outstanding relationship with private practice guys in the community and utilize that relationship to add to their sports exposure and cover spine. They also spend some time doing sports at the Andrews Institute in Pensacola.
Didactics / Teaching
Didactics is not necessarily a strength here, but is definitely sufficient. Every week there is a Monday night conference, X-ray rounds one weekday morning, and Grand Rounds every Friday morning. During my time here, Monday night conferences consisted of a review and discussion of OITE review questions and then a lecture prepared and given by a resident. Faculty are present and contribute to the discussion. Grand Rounds covers many topics from emerging orthopedic research to ortho anesthesia and legal issues.
Operating Experience
Like everyone else says, it's early, often, and autonomous as is legal. Most of the attendings are hands off and will let you take as much as you can handle. This varies among attendings, but is especially true on trauma. Residents here were some of the most technically proficient I have seen.
Clinic Experience
Clinic experience is typical. If I remember correctly, There is a resident's clinic on Monday and Friday mornings for trauma. Clinic 2 days/week with attendings depending on rotation.
Research Opportunities
There is a dedicated research month. You get out of it what you want. During this time you are still on the call schedule and will cover for someone else if they are sick or on vacation. Seems like a pretty good month.
Residents
The residents here worked hard, got along great, covered for each other, and actually treated the rotators as welcomed guests (in contrast to another program which shall remain unnamed). Many were married, several had kids, and a few were single. Most owned houses within 10 min of the hospitals.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle here is unheard of in Orthopedics. I hear the intern year is tough, but PGY2 and PGY3 take about q5, from home. You also have some input, so you can take most of your call during the first half of the month and have a very light second half.<br />
<br />
They do cover about 3 hospitals, so you can get slammed sometimes especially during summer, but there are also times you get done by 9pm and sleep the rest of the night at home. The EDs know that you aren't in house, so they handle the petty stuff themselves.<br />
<br />
If call is not busy, you get to be home with your family instead of wasting away in an on-call room.
<br />
They do cover about 3 hospitals, so you can get slammed sometimes especially during summer, but there are also times you get done by 9pm and sleep the rest of the night at home. The EDs know that you aren't in house, so they handle the petty stuff themselves.<br />
<br />
If call is not busy, you get to be home with your family instead of wasting away in an on-call room.
Location / Housing
Mobile is a city some love and some hate. It's not a trendy city, but has a lot of character, is family friendly, is close to the beach, and has a low cost of living.
Limitations
Not exactly a nationally known top 10 medical research institution etc, and if that's your interest USA might not be a good fit.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
I didn't know a lot about USA before I rotated, but I had a great month here. Operative experience, lifestyle, and the residents were all great. The chairman is also a huge resident advocate. Seems like the program has made a lot of strides the past 5-6 years and has plans to continue to improve.
Qualification
I rotated as a medical student at this program
Date of Rotation
2009
JT
John Tullos
Top 500 Reviewer
Program Information
Residents per class
3
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