Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Dr. Dietzel is the program director, great guy, very quiet, but gets you involved in the OR when you spend time with him. About 20+ attendings at the 3 hospitals in Lansing that you cover. All are great teachers for the most part, let you operate, ect. Many attendings are fellowship trained, thus coverage for all the specialties exists.
Didactics / Teaching
By far, one of the best didactics I saw during all my rotations. Each day they some type of "lecture" in the AM. Fracture conference, attendings giving lectures, seniors pimping the 2-3 PGYs, ect. They know their stuff, they read every day, very impressive.
Operating Experience
The operative experience here is amazing. Spend a lot of time in the OR at all the hospitals where you take on a major role (not just retracting). Seniors doing their own cases basically, teaching the juniors, ect. As a student, you are able to help out and participate in the OR. When you spend time with Dr. Dietzel's office, he goes to the surgery center (no residents allowed); thus you get 1on1 and get to do a lot of cool things.
Clinic Experience
Each week as a student, you will be assigned an attending to work with (and resident). Thus, you go to the office hours with them and operate when they operate.
Research Opportunities
Apparently they are revamping their entire research department. They have full time staff to help you with projects; seems as if more residents are getting involved with research and the opportunities expanding.
Residents
Great group of guys (and girl). Seem to get along very well with each. Push each other hard; seniors expect a lot out of the juniors in terms of doing their jobs, reading, and learning ortho. Mix of single and married residents (some with kids)...hang out outside of the hospital. Thus, basically something for everyone.
Lifestyle
In Lansing @ MSU campus. Lots of nightlife, sporting events. Hospitals in town are 5 minutes apart; thus not much time spent driving. They do cover a hospital about 30 minutes away.
Location / Housing
Student housing provided. Free food (best food out of any program). Residents seem to live downtown, east lansing, or okemos (basically by MSU and east).
Limitations
To be honest, this program is one of the best overall programs probably in the nation (MD and DO). It provides a great clinical experience, operative experience, and a solid educational foundation. So limitations...um...none =D.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
As mentioned above, one, if not THE best ortho program in the country. Many fellowship trained attendings. Seniors are getting great job opportunities and very awesome fellowships. Some past seniors are at Cleveland Clinic for joints, San Diego (Chargers) for sports...this year, one senior is going to do Sports with Dr. Andrews.
I ranked this program #1.
