Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Dr Abel (Chair) seems like solid chair that holds people accountable and has a clear direction for the program. From what I heard, he was pretty intense in the OR. <br />
<br />
Dr. Chhabra (PD) as has been indicated many times before, he would be an awesome PD to work under. Cares greatly about the residents and education and has a great relationship with everyone he works with. A great mentor for residents. <br />
<br />
After talking with residents and the other rotators, the overall experience seems to be great with hand (Chhabra) and sports (Miller, Diduch), solid with spine and peds, average with joints and trauma, and subpar with F/A and tumor.
Didactics / Teaching
Every morning, elaborated on more in other reviews. Good mix of attending and resident delivered. Did not see the anatomy/arthroscopy lab that has been commented on.
Operating Experience
Aside from hand and sports, there's not a ton of volume that's coming through the main hospital. Cases were definitely double scrubbed. Junior level residents got an opportunity to do some stuff. With that being said, the chiefs were excellent in the OR. Most residents indicated that it was a result from their experience at Roanoke, where they get most of their trauma and general ortho experience.
Clinic Experience
It's clinic.
Research Opportunities
Lots of opportunities to publish. Didn't see their research facilities, but supposedly there.
Residents
Most were great. They were very knowledgeable and interested in teaching students. However, there were some that shocked me. Terrible sterile/operative technique, not prepared for cases, poor knowledge. I couldn't believe they were ortho residents. Not just one or two, but a good handful. Chiefs were great, very autonomous. Get whatever fellowship they want.
Lifestyle
With the amount of volume they receive, the residents have time to keep up with reading and do things outside the hospital.
Location / Housing
Charlottesville is a neat, small town. Lots of music and culture. Surprised at the amount of traffic for a smaller town. Housing seemed very expensive for the area. Plenty of outdoor activities in the area.
Limitations
Roanoke - though it seemed like a great experience where they get to operate and see most of the their trauma. But 40 wks (20 wks as a 3&4) seems like a lot of time to spend 1.5-2hrs away.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
If you know you want to go into hand or sports, I don't think you can find a better program. But I think it doesn't give as well rounded an experience as I wanted. Dr. Chhabra and most of the residents make this a solid program.
