Mix of staff surgeons and private community surgeons. PD is very nice and helpful. Overall the faculty are very helpful and willing to teach. Extremely friendly. The faculty are a definite plus to this program
Didactics / Teaching
lectures are resident driven tuesday and thursday mornings. basic science a couple times a year. anatomic cadaver dissection as well. while some may say this is not up to par with some of the larger academic centers i feel they are still very beneficial and educational.
Operating Experience
fantastic. I have not finished all of my ortho rotations but I can't imagine other programs having a better operative experience. Residents are first assist as early as late intern year and early second year. Residents are extremely competent and ready to go into private practice without fellowship if that happens to be your aim
Clinic Experience
Appropriate. Clinic is clinic and this appears to be as well run as any other. Residents don't appear bogged down with clinic time
Research Opportunities
Not a research powerhouse which to many is a plus...to some may be a negative. There is dedicated research time during year 3 to do some basic science stuff but it may leave something to be desired for some.
Residents
Also fantastic. all the residents get along well and are very easy to get along with. Very friendly and willing to help out. They also hang out with each other outside of work which is nice to see. No bad apples
Lifestyle
excellent, and right up there with the op experience. residents have a wonderful lifestyle not only with comfortable work hours but with free food provided by kcms and great facilities as well. They manage to operate a ton but still have time to be normal human beings which is good to see
Location / Housing
Kalamazoo is a cool town. You could say its underrated but if youre looking for something a little more low key than chi or nyc then this may be a good spot for you.
Limitations
not much to be honest....i guess you could say research and didactics but I would argue the contrary.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
I absolutely loved it. It is a great place to rotate as a medical student and after talking to the residents a fantastic place to train as a surgeon. I can't really say anything bad about it
