Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Great mix of younger and older attendings who are all incredibly enthusiastic about the program and teaching residents. Trauma guys are rock stars and the chairman Dr. Ruth is the biggest reason many of the former residents came back to take attending positions. The program is set up as a mentorship model--with a very unique relationship between residents and attendings that result in an awesome learning environment.
They recently hired a new spine guy and are looking to hire some more sports guys.
Didactics / Teaching
About an hour of didactics is scheduled 5 days a week with guest lectures, attending lectures, visiting lectures, and some resident run conferences. I rotated through the program just before the residents were scheduled to take the OITE exam so most of the resident conferences were focused on OITE review questions.
Operating Experience
This is one of the most attractive aspects of the program. Being so close to the Mexican border (and it's border fence), brings in patients with very interesting pathology and a high volume of "fall from height" injuries. Also there is a huge number of pedestrian struck injuries, which the residents attribute to the sparsity of street lamps in the city. This leads to tons of trauma that the interns get to do. Also they are changing the schedule so that interns will get 6 months on the ortho service. There was not an ortho intern on service during my rotation but in talking to the residents, they get you in the OR early and often as an intern.
Aside from the quantity of OR time, the environment is unlike any other place I have rotated at. Most attendings set up an environment that is fun, while doing awesome work, and teaching as much as possible (many times from the sideline--not even scrubbing while the resident does the whole case)
As an MS4 I was first assist with the residency director as well as with a few of the trauma guys.
Clinic Experience
Great clinics at multiple locations through town.
Research Opportunities
Research is not emphasized by the program however there are great research labs available if interested.
Residents
The most attractive aspect of this program--the residents were phenomenal. Great group of guys and girls who made me excited to come to the hospital every day. They have an infectious working sense of humor and just really seem to enjoy being there. Although I'm told they don't hang out outside of the hospital as much as they used to, they still get dinner and drinks after Monday evening conference. There is a good mix of married single residents probably leaning a little more on the married side.
Lifestyle
Like all programs residents get worked. That being said it is a very cool non hostile environment that the residents seem to be happy in. There is a night float system which works well. Pediatric rotation is done in Utah (4 months during second year) which can be tough if you have family/kids in Tucson. Otherwise this is by far the happiest group of residents I have worked with.
Location / Housing
This was my first time to the desert and I really didnt' know what to expect, but I was really impressed with the city. Although there is about a million people there, it feels like a small town. There is a ton of stuff to do outdoors and a good college town feel for night life / sporting events. Less than a 2 hour drive to Phoenix, but not much around other than that.
Limitations
This is not a research powerhouse which some may view as a limitation. I have not experienced it but have been told that the summers there are oppressively hot!!!
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
This was by far the best program that I rotated at. Residents are happy, well trained, and well treated. I will be ranking this number 1.
