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University of Texas at Houston
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University of Texas at Houston Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
User reviews
2 reviews
Overall rating
9.2
Staff Surgeons
10.0(2)
Didactics/Teaching
9.5(2)
Operating Experience
9.5(2)
Clinical Experience
8.5(2)
Research
8.5(2)
Residents
9.5(2)
Lifestyle
8.5(2)
Location
9.0(2)
Overall Experience
10.0(2)
MS4 Review
Overall rating
9.1
Staff Surgeons
10.0
Didactics/Teaching
10.0
Operating Experience
9.0
Clinical Experience
7.0
Research
9.0
Residents
9.0
Lifestyle
9.0
Location
9.0
Overall Experience
10.0
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Enough cannot be said about the sustained leadership of UTH. Dr. Lowe (Chairman/Sports) has changed the nature and direction of the program. Though well-known for his involvement with the professional teams, he maintains a definitive presence within the program. With Dr. McGarvey (Program Director/F&A), they have and continue to assemble an all-star faculty, including but not limited to: Drs. Routt, Burgess, Munz, Choo, Achor, Gary, Kellam, etc. Recently, they "lost" their tumor specialist, Dr. Marco, to Methodist, but its been assured that he will continue to be involved in resident education. The support staff are exemplary.
Didactics / Teaching
Teaching is a robust component of the UTH program. Though resident run, every morning report is strongly attended by faculty who give valuable contributions regarding each case. It is special to have Munz or Routt giving pointers on better management on even the most minor of cases. Fracture Conference (Wed, pm) is a well-organized, two-hour blitz of all the cases that week. Most of the trauma ortho faculty attend, which provide the perfect environment for debate. With the faculty addition of Dr. Kellam, morning didactics are of extreme value, including: cadaveric dissection, OITE prep, sim lab, grand rounds, local guest lecturer. Because of which, I feel the UTH residents are the brightest I've encountered. For medical students, Drs. Munz and Gary have Monday/Wednesday sessions specifically for rotators where there have been lessons on: specific orthopedic emergencies, intro to hardware, acetabulum fractures, etc.
Operating Experience
At Memorial Hermann, there are five rooms dedicated to ortho trauma during the week. On weekends, 2-3 rooms will be running. At LBJ, 2-3 rooms are dedicated ortho. Expect to be busy, very busy, but there is ample opportunity to be involved. Medical students are expected to scrub the cases and will be utilized throughout the case. During which, the attendings will often teach directly to the medical student.
Clinic Experience
Minimal clinic experience except when on subspecialty rotation. There expect 2 days to be dedicated to clinic
Research Opportunities
Though this is touted as the "bluest of collar" programs, research is heavily encouraged. They are focused on making you the best surgeon possible, but they drive home the need to be well-versed in the literature. One (1) research project is required, but many of the residents are involved in multiple projects.
Residents
The residents are good-natured group that tend to accommodate a majority of personality types. They have increased the class size from 3>4>5. Currently, the PGY-2 class has five (5) residents. They have a good mixture between married and single, with kids and without
Lifestyle
Though the trauma service is very busy, I have seen many of the residents still have time to enjoy: working out, spending time with family, going to events, etc. The presence of night float really seems to relieve much of the pressure and residents generally seem be able to manage their lives well.
Location / Housing
Houston is one of the largest cities in the United States. Since the recession, Houston has been the epicenter for job growth and opportunity, hence why young professionals have a strong presence. Many of the people are transplants, so expect to find someone from everywhere including abroad. The Texas Medical Center is the largest in the nation, home to institutions such as: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Methodist, Baylor SOM, UTHealth, etc. Housing is fairly affordable in the nicer neighborhoods. The neighborhoods close to the medical center are within walking/bike riding distance are very nice to live. Expect rent for a 1bd 1bath to be around 1100 dollars. The food scene in Houston is exploding. It is not too difficult to get reservations at some of the nationally-recognized restaurants. There are many events throughout the year: Free Press Summerfest, Houston Rodeo and Cook Off, Greek festival, West Fest, etc.
Limitations
People have stated that women do not have large presence in the program, having only a single female resident. They seem to very welcoming of female applicants and rotators from my experience.
Though known as "Trauma Mecca", they maintain a robust representation in the other sub-specialities.
Though known as "Trauma Mecca", they maintain a robust representation in the other sub-specialities.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
This program is arguably one of the best in the country. Combining strong, sustained leadership with nationally-recognized faculty the program has all the opportunity to become a great surgeon. The facilities are good and the patient population diverse. Support staff is dynamic and involved.
I learned a great deal during the rotation, which set me up to be successful at other rotations. This was an invaluable experience. The program has very few weaknesses, but their strengths are readily apparent.
I learned a great deal during the rotation, which set me up to be successful at other rotations. This was an invaluable experience. The program has very few weaknesses, but their strengths are readily apparent.
Qualification
I rotated as a medical student at this program
Date of Rotation
August
M
mdb
Top 50 Reviewer
Awsome Program!
(Updated: January 30, 2013)
Overall rating
9.3
Staff Surgeons
10.0
Didactics/Teaching
9.0
Operating Experience
10.0
Clinical Experience
10.0
Research
8.0
Residents
10.0
Lifestyle
8.0
Location
9.0
Overall Experience
10.0
Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Chairman: Walter Lowe-Sports<br />
<br />
Program Director: William McGarvey-Foot and Ankle<br />
<br />
Sports:<br />
1.Mark Adickes-Hip Scopes, Knee and Shoulder <br />
2.Steven Flores-Shoulder and upper extremity<br />
3.Gregory Harvey-Knee and Shoulder<br />
4.Walter Lowe-ACL reconstruction, Sports. Team physician for the Rockets, Texans, Univ of Houston<br />
5.Wade McAlister-Knee and Shoulder<br />
<br />
Trauma:<br />
1.Timothy Achor-Fellowship trained Trauma<br />
2.Andrew Burgess-New Vice Chairman, Pelvic Trauma<br />
3.Allen Criswell-Trauma/General Orthopedics<br />
4.Kyle Dickson-Pelvis and Acetabular revision, Trauma<br />
5.John Munz-Trauma, past Chief resident recently signed on as new faculty<br />
6.Milan Sen- Head of Trauma, fellowship trained in both trauma and hand/upper extremity<br />
7.Alan Rechter-Trauma/General Orthopedics<br />
<br />
Joints:<br />
1.Terry Clyburn-Total Hips and Knees<br />
2.Michael Grecula-Head of LBJ Orthopedics Hips and Knees<br />
3.Frank "Marty" Ivey-Hips and Knees<br />
4.Kenneth Mathis-Head of Arthroplasty service at Methodist hospital, Hips and knees<br />
<br />
Spine/Oncology:<br />
1.Vivek Kushwaha-Ortho Spine<br />
2.Rex Marco-Chief of Spine and MSK oncology, Dual Fellowship trained. <br />
<br />
Hand:<br />
1.Jeffrey Budoff-Hand<br />
2.Joseph Kearney-Hand<br />
3.Fernando Levaro-Hand<br />
<br />
Foot and Ankle:<br />
1.Sonya Ahmed Foot and Ankle, general ortho<br />
2.William McGarvey-Foot and Ankle<br />
<br />
Peds:<br />
1.Douglas Barnes-Pedi Ortho Shiners Hospital<br />
2.Allison Scott-Pedi Ortho Shiners Hospital
<br />
Program Director: William McGarvey-Foot and Ankle<br />
<br />
Sports:<br />
1.Mark Adickes-Hip Scopes, Knee and Shoulder <br />
2.Steven Flores-Shoulder and upper extremity<br />
3.Gregory Harvey-Knee and Shoulder<br />
4.Walter Lowe-ACL reconstruction, Sports. Team physician for the Rockets, Texans, Univ of Houston<br />
5.Wade McAlister-Knee and Shoulder<br />
<br />
Trauma:<br />
1.Timothy Achor-Fellowship trained Trauma<br />
2.Andrew Burgess-New Vice Chairman, Pelvic Trauma<br />
3.Allen Criswell-Trauma/General Orthopedics<br />
4.Kyle Dickson-Pelvis and Acetabular revision, Trauma<br />
5.John Munz-Trauma, past Chief resident recently signed on as new faculty<br />
6.Milan Sen- Head of Trauma, fellowship trained in both trauma and hand/upper extremity<br />
7.Alan Rechter-Trauma/General Orthopedics<br />
<br />
Joints:<br />
1.Terry Clyburn-Total Hips and Knees<br />
2.Michael Grecula-Head of LBJ Orthopedics Hips and Knees<br />
3.Frank "Marty" Ivey-Hips and Knees<br />
4.Kenneth Mathis-Head of Arthroplasty service at Methodist hospital, Hips and knees<br />
<br />
Spine/Oncology:<br />
1.Vivek Kushwaha-Ortho Spine<br />
2.Rex Marco-Chief of Spine and MSK oncology, Dual Fellowship trained. <br />
<br />
Hand:<br />
1.Jeffrey Budoff-Hand<br />
2.Joseph Kearney-Hand<br />
3.Fernando Levaro-Hand<br />
<br />
Foot and Ankle:<br />
1.Sonya Ahmed Foot and Ankle, general ortho<br />
2.William McGarvey-Foot and Ankle<br />
<br />
Peds:<br />
1.Douglas Barnes-Pedi Ortho Shiners Hospital<br />
2.Allison Scott-Pedi Ortho Shiners Hospital
Didactics / Teaching
Mon through Fri: 6-7am Daily AM fracture conference<br />
Mon: (1st and 3rd of month) Cadaver Dissection lab 6:45-7:45am<br />
Mon: 5pm Ortho trauma conference (trauma team only)<br />
Tues: 7-8am Didactic lecture<br />
Wed: 7-8am OITE review<br />
Thurs: 7-9am Didactic lectures, Guest Lectures, (Journal club monthly)<br />
Friday: 7am Grand rounds (twice per month to monthly)
Mon: (1st and 3rd of month) Cadaver Dissection lab 6:45-7:45am<br />
Mon: 5pm Ortho trauma conference (trauma team only)<br />
Tues: 7-8am Didactic lecture<br />
Wed: 7-8am OITE review<br />
Thurs: 7-9am Didactic lectures, Guest Lectures, (Journal club monthly)<br />
Friday: 7am Grand rounds (twice per month to monthly)
Operating Experience
The Operative experience here is truly second to none. Memorial Hermann was recently named the busiest trauma hospital in the country. Ortho residents at this program operate early and very often. Residents here feel more than comfortable with all orthopedic procedures. I rotated at several programs out of state and have worked with visiting ortho residents from neighboring programs as well. I can say with full confidence that the residents here perform on a level at least 1-2 years above their peers at other programs.
Clinic Experience
Clinic experience is mostly gained from LBJ general orthopedic/trauma clinic and from the sub-specialty rotation clinics. Clinic at LBJ is Mondays and Thursdays with residents also doing cases in the O.R. as well. Sub Specialty Clinic schedules vary for each rotation.
Research Opportunities
Each resident is required to present 1 publishable journal quality research project by the time he/she graduates. Dr Catherine Ambrose heads up the orthopedic Research department and is very active in supporting resident research. Research funding and project ideas are readily available, and many residents choose to participate in multiple research projects.
Residents
The residents themselves are truly the strength of this program. With the department currently selecting 3 residents per year (15 total residents), each resident is an integral part of the program. Everyone here is extremely bright, personable, and someone you would want to hang out with outside of work. There is a sense of teamwork and family here that stems from this relatively small group of dedicated people working together to care for patients at this incredibly busy hospital.
Lifestyle
Make no doubt about it- The residents here work hard, but they also know how to have a good time. The residents and the department often organize social events for residents, faculty and family that almost everyone attends. The 80 hour work rule is enforced at this program, and with the night float system in place, it really is not an issue. The majority of residents at this program are married, but everyone likes to go out and have a good time on the weekends...and sometimes on the week days too.<br />
<br />
The rotating medical students here have a unique experience in that they have the opportunity to rotate on multiple services and meet several faculty and residents. The away rotators usually spend 1-2 weeks on trauma, 1 week at LBJ, and 1-2 weeks on one of the specialty services including spine, sports, foot and ankle, peds, hand, joints. The rotators are invited to all didactic lectures and conferences and participate in all aspects of patient care. They do not do floor scut work and usually operate all day long. The med students create their own call schedule and they are actively involved in the ER and OR at night with the resident/faculty.
<br />
The rotating medical students here have a unique experience in that they have the opportunity to rotate on multiple services and meet several faculty and residents. The away rotators usually spend 1-2 weeks on trauma, 1 week at LBJ, and 1-2 weeks on one of the specialty services including spine, sports, foot and ankle, peds, hand, joints. The rotators are invited to all didactic lectures and conferences and participate in all aspects of patient care. They do not do floor scut work and usually operate all day long. The med students create their own call schedule and they are actively involved in the ER and OR at night with the resident/faculty.
Location / Housing
Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S. and has the largest medical center in the world. The med center is in a beautiful part of town right across the street from Rice University. Housing is abundant, and residents usually choose either to rent an apartment on home inside the 610 loop close to work, or to rent/buy a home outside of the 610 loop in Pearland or the neighboring areas. Traffic can be bad in houston during the business day, but it is usually never an issue when heading to and from work. Houston is known for its restaraunt scene, and there is plenty of night life here as well.
Limitations
Limitations of this program in the past have all been erased by the hard work of the new Chairman, Dr. Lowe, and the Program Director, Dr. McGarvey. The UT Houston Ortho program that was once on probation, is now an up and coming superstar program. It is fully accredited, with a massive influx of new faculty, new ideas, and more positive changes on the way.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
This is a very exciting time for UT Houston Orthopedics. As I stated earlier, this residency is an up and coming superstar program. The addition of so many new faculty members, combined with top quality residents and their unbelievable clinical/operative experience makes for a truly impressive and well rounded program. I would strongly recommend this program to any medical student applying for residency in Orthopedic Surgery.
Qualification
I am a current resident of this program.
Date of Rotation
2010
AG
Aaron Greenberg
Program Information
Residents per class
5
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