Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
The staff are all very approachable and easy to work with. The program director, Dr. Jeffries, is really a great student advocate and is truly invested in seeing this program develop great surgeons and great individuals. Dr. Stannard, the chairman, leads by example. He runs a busy department and keeps himself in the OR more than most chairs do.
Didactics / Teaching
Dr. Jeffries has overhauled the curriculum to cycle through didactics at least twice during your residency. The interns are now under orthopaedics control and are expected to be at conferences regardless of what general surgery rotation they may be on. By doing this the program makes sure the interns are only on rotations that are beneficial to them as future orthopaedics surgeons and not just doing rotations because general surgery needs the coverage.
Operating Experience
A truly graduated operating experience. I rotated places where 1st and 2nd years get into the OR and run cases by themselves sooner. But I doubt there is a place where residents have the ability to become more competent than they are here. Senior residents will often run their own room with a mid-level. The two trauma fellows here also do a very good job of adding to the learning experience. They have never seemed to take away any learning opportunities from the residents and they are often some of the most patient teachers.
Clinic Experience
Clinic is clinic but at Mizzou it is in one of the nicest facilities you could imagine. The Missouri Orthopaedic Institute is a stand alone facility opened in 2010 that is extremely convenient to work in.
Research Opportunities
Lots of opportunities. The Comparative Orthopaedic Lab ran by Jimi Cook, DVM is one of the best orthopaedic research laboratories in the country focusing on translating animal orthopaedic research into human studies and eventually clinical practice. A great resource to have.
Residents
Solid group of men and women. Very even mix of married, single, and those with children.
Lifestyle
80 hours is not a problem for most services. Trauma is busy, but staying under 80 hours should never really be an issue. Usually get two weekends off per month.
Location / Housing
Columbia, MO is one of the best towns in the US. Great college town with lots to do. Great schools for those with children. Nearly half of the town has a bachelor's degree or higher. Two large hospitals, a vet school, a med school, a law school--Lots of young professionals. Top tier Div-1 athletics.
Housing is very affordable.
Limitations
No tumor. There is one off site rotation in Kansas City for pediatrics at Children's Mercy.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
Great program. This program will likely be national renowned top-tier program in the near future. There is no doubt that Dr. Stannard has a clear vision of where the program is headed.
