Staff are very approachable. You spend 3 months at a time on mentorships (1 on 1 with individual staff) so you get to know them very well. Very good rapport b/w staff and residents. Not as many big names as found in some more academic programs.
Didactics / Teaching
Many resident run sessions. They do very well on OITE every year, and seem to take this to heart. Lecture approx. 3 times per week at 6:30 prior to cases.
Operating Experience
Excellent. Every resident I worked with was very skilled in comparison to residents I have worked with at other institutions. They spend 3 months at a time with individual staff members and certainly this allows comfort b/w the staff and resident that leads to a great operating experience.
Clinic Experience
Only in clinic when your mentor/current staff is in clinic. Very reasonable. Staff seemed interested in teaching med students when I was there.
Research Opportunities
Not too much was said about research while I was there.
Residents
Great group of guys. Almost all married. (You pretty much have to be to live in Danville.)
Lifestyle
q8 home call PGY2-5. Only get called in for meaningful ortho consults (operative cases, reductions....) Minimal scutwork. Excellent moonlighting opportunity PGY3-5 in community hospital. Overall residents seemed very happy with their lives.
Location / Housing
Buy a real nice TV and order a dish with all the extras. There's not a lot going on in Danville. Literally a town of 6,000 people. (It is a level 1 trauma though covering a large area of rural Pennsylvainia)
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
Great operating experience. Nice lifestyle. Become a well-trained general orthopedist. Must be able to tolerate a very small rural town.
