Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
I will only comment on those I experienced when I was there. <br />
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Chair-Dr. Abel- Excellent leader both in terms of departmental direction and as an international expert in pediatric ortho (recent peds OKU author). Very receptive to students. <br />
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PD-Dr. Chhabra- A true resident advocate and gifted teacher. Dr. Chhabra draws a perfect balance between resident friend and leader. Operates a ton and while in the OR really walks the resident through the case. Also has a productive research lab and serves on numerous committees related to Hand surgery. Committed to UVA and continuing to make this a top place. Brings a family vibe to the program and really looks out for his residents.<br />
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Joints-Dr. Brown is a dedicated teacher and a very good guy too. Leader in revision surgery and really lets residents operate. Priority is resident education. Dr. Cui is also excellent to work with and has a very productive research lab. <br />
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Hand- Dacus is a young, enthusiastic faculty with whom you will operate a ton as a junior. Great to work with from what I saw. Dr. Chhabra is an unreal teacher and the kind of PD residents can thrive under. Though I did not work with Dr. Deal, she is very well received by the residents. New UVA Hand center as of 2010 is a state of the art facility.<br />
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Sports-An untouchable experience with Miller, Carson, and Diduch. I cannot imagine a better arthroscopic experience than these residents get. As a PGY2 you are doing complete rotator cuff repairs under their direction. Great teaching with great balance in personalities between these three well connected attendings. <br />
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Trauma-Between UVA and Roanoke, both level one trauma centers. A great experience where you see everything. Dr. Kahler is an expert in pelvic surgery and was one of the pioneers of computer assisted pelvic surgery. Many complex cases as well as bread/butter tibial nails etc. I heard that an additional trauma faculty has been hired to start soon. <br />
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Peds- as a PGY2, residents rotate with Dr. Romness who is very interested in hands on teaching and the residents do the whole case under his direction. On several occasions he did not scrub and spends time hanging out with the residents outside of work. This is characteristic of many attendings at UVA. Chiefs operate with Dr. Abel who is a phenomenal scoliosis expert and wonderful with his patients.<br />
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Spine-Dr. Arlet, Shen, Whitehill, and new addition Shimer are all fantastic and balance the experience well. Arlet is great and an international expert. New spine center and outstanding research labs that are well directed.<br />
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Many PAs and NPs to help out too which seems nice.
Didactics / Teaching
From what I saw, didactic education is well organized and a priority not overtaken by any other duties. Conferences every day from 6:30-7:30 with a mix of resident and attendings teaching. Active anatomy lab teaching and an arthroscopy lab. Fracture conf is interactive. In the OR there is a lot of teaching as well. Definitely an academic place but one where there is a great operative experience. In conference residents are expected to be prepared and are asked some questions but it is not malignant. Journal club at an attendings house most of the time with beer and food.
Operating Experience
This aspect of the program seemed particularly excellent. Operative experience is early and balanced. The chief’s level of operative skill was outstanding when compared to the other places I rotated. If I am at their level when I am a 5 I will be thrilled. All that I talked to felt they were going to fellowship very confident in all core areas and were really going to fellowship to "perfect" their skill. In addition, 2nd and third years are given appropriate experience in the OR led through cases by seniors or attendings. The arthroscopic experience was actually shockingly solid and a really a strength even with 2 fellows. Same on hand and joints. Volume was high.
Clinic Experience
As a student you see patients on your own and present to the attendings who are cool and teach quite a bit. Residents know indications very well. They care about your education. Good team coverage too of both UVA, JMU and local high schools.
Research Opportunities
Endless opportunities are available but not a must. Residents are involved at every level and included on chapters, articles etc (Miller’s and other textbook series). Many resident present every year around the country. Plenty of productivity in basic science labs in addition to clinical projects. It seemed like many of the residents received grants and several enter academic practice.
Residents
Very fun and hard working group of residents who are cohesive and know their stuff. They get out together a lot post work and invite rotating students out too. Obtain excellent fellowships all over the country most consistently in Sports, Spine and Hand but can basically go wherever they want it seems. About half were married and 1 or 2 with kids. Most seem to buy homes or condos, with a few renting.
Lifestyle
Program is very supportive of family from what I could see with about half residents married and a couple with kids. There is a well run night float system which the residents seem to really like. Call is busy but most of the time residents don't get killed. Trauma chief runs the trauma room during the day.
Location / Housing
Charlottesville seems like a great place to live. This area is really beautiful with surrounding mountains, wineries, active music culture, a great downtown and outdoor activities. Lots of hiking and good places to go out. 1.5 hours from DC and Richmond. 3 hours from the ocean. Good campus feel. The seasons are beautiful with great weather almost year round.
Limitations
For some people Roanoke may be a drawback. Every resident I talked with enjoyed the time in Roanoke as it develops their operative skill and autonomy in a very palpable way and provides a nice more private hospital experience with weekends free. There are something like 14 ortho attendings there too and it is a level 1 trauma center. However, it is over an hour away (apartment there for resident and family). If you don't like night float this may also be a drawback.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
Academic program with amazing attendings, great research and fellowship opportunities in a beautiful location. Phenomenal program that is really committed to your education and producing competent orthopaedic surgeons with a great operative experience. Rotated here and loved every aspect of this program.
