Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
This is an update to my review 1 year ago. Dr. Sahajpal has significantly increased his caseload in the shoulder/elbow department. We have also added Dr. Decker, a recent graduate of Emory's residency program as well as the well-known spine fellowship at University of California San Diego. The department is still actively seeking surgeons in other areas.
Didactics / Teaching
The morning conference schedule has remained the same with the exception of the format. We have now moved to defined topics on an attempted 2-year schedule to ensure that all major topics are covered. There has been a significant positive increase in faculty involvement over the last year in morning didactics as well. We have also been fortunate to have several visiting professors over the last year, many of whom are well-known leaders in their individual fields of orthopedics.
Operating Experience
This is essentially unchanged from before. We have added a shoulder/elbow fellow and will be adding a trauma fellow next year. The fellows have remained as a compliment to the residents, maintaining the high caseload each resident sees during their 5 years. The foot ankle rotation has solidified and is now a dedicated rotation. Also, joints has moved from being a chief-only rotation to a chief and junior rotation. Residents will now see 6 months of dedicated joints plus another 6 months on the VA rotation, which is primarily total joint replacement. A junior-level sports rotation has also been worked in to provide additional experience with arthroscopy. The new hospital tower will be opening in late fall of this year. Most orthopedic services, with the exception of pediatrics and spine, will be relocated to the new facilities.
Clinic Experience
The clinic experience is unchanged over the last year.
Research Opportunities
Research is still widely available. The research requirements for the program have now changed with only a requirement for one research project during the entire residency. This does not need to be published to satisfy the criteria. With access to a full cadaver lab, arthroscopy lab, biomechanical lab, and the many ideas of our faculty, there is no shortage of research available. The department also employs staff who will help you complete IRB approval, edit documents, and create a publishable paper.
Residents
We are still taking 4 residents per year and will be at the full 20 residents in the program in one year. The residency program still has a very collegial atmosphere. There are many instances of residents picking up each other's call for family emergencies or unexpected changes in schedule. In the last year, we have had a program fishing trip and golf outing in addition to yearly get-togethers (Christmas party, beginning of the year party, etc...).
Lifestyle
Night float continues to be a big positive for the program. No one is on primary call for their service at night, and call is approximately one 24-hour weekend call per month for juniors and one overnight in-home call every 1 1/2 weeks for chiefs. Chiefs continue to only get called into the hospital less than 1/2 the time on call.
Location / Housing
With the recent change in economy, housing has dropped in price significantly, making cost of living even more affordable. Beaches are still nearby, and drives into work are short compared to many big cities.
Limitations
The program director has been very receptive to the needs of the program, as you can see above. In one year, we have addressed many of the shortcomings noted in the previous review. While this program, like all, has areas that can be improved, it is obvious that the administration behind the University of Florida program is committed to addressing those deficiencies quickly.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
The program continues to improve on an already excellent foundation for learning. Residents will feel fully qualified to be general orthopedists, should they choose. If you are interested in a fellowship, we continue to place our residents in top fellowships across the country. This is an outstanding program that should be considered near the top of your list.
