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Thomas Jefferson University
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Thomas Jefferson University Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
User reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating
9.6
Staff Surgeons
10.0(2)
Didactics/Teaching
9.0(2)
Operating Experience
9.5(2)
Clinical Experience
9.5(2)
Research
10.0(2)
Residents
9.5(2)
Lifestyle
9.5(2)
Location
9.5(2)
Overall Experience
10.0(2)
Jefferson Orthopedics Review Fall 2012
(Updated: January 01, 2012)
Overall rating
9.6
Staff Surgeons
10.0
Didactics/Teaching
9.0
Operating Experience
9.0
Clinical Experience
9.0
Research
10.0
Residents
10.0
Lifestyle
10.0
Location
9.0
Overall Experience
10.0
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
I am currently a chief resident at Jefferson. I thought I'd write this review as I'm very fond of our program and I think students applying across the country should be aware of what we offer.
In terms of Staff/Faculty/Chairman, I think we are top notch. Of course, it's hard to compare to other programs because you don't really know how things are at other places. That being said we have what I would call the perfect balance. We have plenty of huge names in ortho and we also have many extremely kind, patient, teaching-focused attendings. In most cases, these are the same people. In terms of spine, between Albert, Vaccaro, Hilibrand, and Anderson, doesn't get much better than that. In terms of joints, Rothman, Hozack, Sharkey, Austin, Parvizi. Shoulder: Williams, Ramsey, Lazarus, Fenlin. The list goes on and on. Giants in the field, yet very cordial, teaching focused, and a pleasure to work with.
The chairman is Dr. Albert, spine surgery. A true gentleman and advocate for the residents. Very big in his field as well. We love working with him.
In terms of Staff/Faculty/Chairman, I think we are top notch. Of course, it's hard to compare to other programs because you don't really know how things are at other places. That being said we have what I would call the perfect balance. We have plenty of huge names in ortho and we also have many extremely kind, patient, teaching-focused attendings. In most cases, these are the same people. In terms of spine, between Albert, Vaccaro, Hilibrand, and Anderson, doesn't get much better than that. In terms of joints, Rothman, Hozack, Sharkey, Austin, Parvizi. Shoulder: Williams, Ramsey, Lazarus, Fenlin. The list goes on and on. Giants in the field, yet very cordial, teaching focused, and a pleasure to work with.
The chairman is Dr. Albert, spine surgery. A true gentleman and advocate for the residents. Very big in his field as well. We love working with him.
Didactics / Teaching
The main didactics are are monday evening 5-7 and thursday morning 6-8. Mondays are lectures given by attendings with an organized curriculum that cycles every 2 years. Thursday mornings are a trauma lecture 6-7 and then grand rounds 7-8, a mix of guests and our own faculty. Once a month we have m&m instead of grand rounds. In the summer, we have anatomy sessions on mondays instead of standard lectures. In addition to all this there are service-specific lectures that vary depending on what service you are on.
Teaching is excellent. In many cases, the person teaching you wrote the book on it. More under operative experience.
Teaching is excellent. In many cases, the person teaching you wrote the book on it. More under operative experience.
Operating Experience
I think the operative experience here is very good. It's always a balance between watching and doing no matter what residency you end up at. You appreciate that more and more and you progress in residency. When you are are junior, you want to operate like crazy. When you are a senior, you start to realize you need to pick up the subtleties and in many cases are content doing the procedure "with the attending" as apposed to all alone with no one in the room. All this being said, looking back over 4.5 years, I think the autonomy is right where it should be. By chief year, you are doing most procedures beginning to end. I think when you get too much autonomy too early, bad habits can form. Beware of the program that makes it sound like they are going buck wild starting 2nd year. Also, beware of the programs that are clearly hands off. You do need to learn how to operate. This program gives you all the tools you need to be a very good surgeon. I feel confident I will excel as an attending, for what it's worth.
Clinic Experience
I loved clinic here. Clinic was never overbearing. You tend to average 2 days a week and get plenty of education in terms of operative indications and follow-up care. Attendings and staff are always cordial in clinic and in most cases, they buy you lunch. Just to clarify, Rothman Institute is the private practice, that provides all the ortho care for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Rothman has many different satellite locations in the area, which I love going to. Extremely nice facilities and always easy to get to. You do need a car though. I enjoyed the change of scenery from day to day, going to different sites, all within 30 minutes for the most part, often less. For our full rotation schedule, go here http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/departments/orthopaedic/education/residency/structure.html
Research Opportunities
There is so much going on here. Mostly clinical but basic science is available. We are usually one of the top NIH funded programs in the country. Like I said, these guys are writing the books on their respective subspecialties. Just look at an ortho textbook next time you open it. So much research is available, but never do you feel obligated. There is a 1 or 2 paper requirement before you graduate, but that's not hard here at all. The sky is the limit as to where you take your research here. I published 2 chapters, and maybe 4-5 manuscripts while here, with more coming. Certainly helps you take your career to the next level.
Residents
I've always been impressed with how well we get along and have fun. Very laid back atmosphere, but serious about learning, and getting our work done. Never once did I ever feel any malignancy at this program in my 4.5 years. Ortho surgeons can be tough once in a while...surgeons in general at that...but in general, this place is full of happy people, who are extremely productive in their vocations, and who love the process of teaching the next generation of surgeons and leaders.
Also, we have a nice balance of single, married, and married with kids. We all relate to each other well and get along.
Also, we have a nice balance of single, married, and married with kids. We all relate to each other well and get along.
Lifestyle
Compared to what I thought ortho residency was going to be like, I'd say it's very doable. I keep up all my hobbies, spend lots of time with my wife, but also do well on my OITE and prepare for the OR. I honestly thought intern year was pretty darn easy. 2nd year is a fair amount of responsibility and hours, but we are strict about work hour restrictions, and never have to worry about that. 2nd year is fun though because you are finally doing ortho. It's about 50% OR and 50% consults/floor (and becoming less and less floor and we continue to hire more and more NP/PAs). As the years go on, your work hours get better and better and you operate more and more, culminating in chief year when you feel like you are operating 3-4 days/week, take home weekday call 1 in 7 and home weekend call 1 in 7 weekends, minimal rounding. Sweeeeeet! Lovin' it.
Location / Housing
Most people live in center city and have a short walk to the hospital. Some live in NJ over the river for cheaper housing and more of a suburb feel. You can find whatever you want around here. It's the east coast so it's not dirt cheap but way better than NYC prices. It's a very walkable city. Extremely good BYOB scene, museums, arts, and history...and sports...it's a world class city, in a cozy package. The suburbs where the attendings live are some of the top on the county. Rolling hills, forests, old stone homes...you get the picture.
Close proximity to other world class cities: NYC, DC, etc.
As a side note, every month an attending hosts journal club at their home. They have catered food, we meet their families, lots of attendings and all the residents come. Very laid back. It's one of the awesome percs of this place.
Close proximity to other world class cities: NYC, DC, etc.
As a side note, every month an attending hosts journal club at their home. They have catered food, we meet their families, lots of attendings and all the residents come. Very laid back. It's one of the awesome percs of this place.
Limitations
We are currently hiring an ortho trauma surgeon (possibly even 2 of them) to develop a trauma service. We see lots of trauma, but a fair amount gets sent out and comes back in the outpatient setting (on your respective rotations). But for anyone who thinks we do't get trauma, just look at how many pelvis's our tumor guy has fixed (traumas, not tumor cases) this year. The volume is here. It's just a matter of building a trauma department, which we are doing. In the meantime, hey, can't complain. We go down to shock trauma during 4th year. As a chief, when on call, you do the trauma cases with the attending, and oftentimes you take the junior through it. You also get cold trauma on your foot, hand, shoulder rotations, as I said.
We do a lot of joints and spine. But by chief year you are running the show and I'm really enjoying it. I foresee that we will do less of it though moving forward especially when the trauma service is up and running. I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker for you.
We do a lot of joints and spine. But by chief year you are running the show and I'm really enjoying it. I foresee that we will do less of it though moving forward especially when the trauma service is up and running. I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker for you.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
I tried to touch on the high points but I'm sure I missed stuff. I love this place. I'm going to a top fellowship next year, as do most residents from here. Please email me with questions. Call schedule, specific rotations..what have you. We want to hear from you. We welcome people from all over to check us out. I think we are a little lesser known to west coasters and midwesterners, but you need to check us out. Rothman is growing exponentially with somewhere around 100 attendings now and more cases to go around than you could ever dream of. Top 10 on US news for what it's worth. Many people say "jeff" (as we call it) is in the top 5, maybe even top 3. I would really have to agree with that. It's an awesome place. Email us with questions. Thanks! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Qualification
I am a current resident of this program.
Date of Rotation
n/a
JO
Jefferson Ortho
Top 500 Reviewer
Jefferson Orthopaedic Residency Review
(Updated: October 23, 2007)
Overall rating
9.7
Staff Surgeons
10.0
Didactics/Teaching
9.0
Operating Experience
10.0
Clinical Experience
10.0
Research
10.0
Residents
9.0
Lifestyle
9.0
Location
10.0
Overall Experience
10.0
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
The faculty at Jefferson is absolutely first class. Jefferson has arguably the strongest spine, joints, shoulder/elbow and hand departments in the country.
Didactics / Teaching
The Jefferson curriculum is constantly adapting to provide residents with a top notch education. The current teaching consists of individual department conferences throughout the week. Didactics are on Monday afternoon, anatomy and arthroscopy lab are Wednesday afternoon and M&M and Grand Rounds are Thursday morning.
Operating Experience
The operative experience is certainly one of Jefferson's strengths. Working along side the leaders in the field of orthopaedics provides incredible learning opportunities. Chiefs on all services run their own room and junior residents get exposure to all subspecialties.
Clinic Experience
The clinical experience is really dictated by the attendings with whom you work. Since Jefferson has many leaders in their respective subspecialties, residents get comfortable with 'bread-and-butter' orthopaedics but also get first hand experience with some of the less common orthopaedic conditions.
Research Opportunities
Jefferson orthopaedics is in the top two nationally in both NIH funding and research productivity. The opportunities for residents are abundant and highly encouraged. A research block has recently been added to the third year rotation schedule to reinforce this expectation.
Residents
The residents have varied backgrounds and clinical interests but are a tight group that has a great time both in and out of the hospital.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle at Jefferson is great. The residents work hard but have fun doing it. They enjoy coming to work each day and demonstrates that through their enthusiasm for orthopaedics.
Location / Housing
Jefferson is located in Center City Philadelphia. It is in the heart of downtown with a vast array of nearby, affordable housing and all the activities of any major city.
Limitations
the only limitations that I could percieve are the paucity of research experiences available and/or location. But, I am not really looking for a very research heavy program and I love outdoor activities so this place will rank highly.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
The overall experience at Jefferson is excellent. Residents graduate from the program with confidence in both patient assessment and surgical skills, with their choice of fellowship and with relationships to many of the learders in the field of orthopaedics.
Qualification
I am a current resident of this program.
Date of Rotation
2007
MK
Mark Kurd
Top 500 Reviewer
Contact Information
City
Philadelphia
State/Province
Pennsylvania
Program Information
Residents per class
7
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