Program Review
Staff / Faculty / Chairman
Jens Chapman is the interim chairman and we are currently undergoing a chair search. We have interviewed several candidates and a new chair will be selected in the near future. I can tell you that all of the candidates including Dr. Chapman have been very impressive and will only add to this program. <br />
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Our faculty is a huge strength of this program. We have some of the most respected surgeons representing every subspecialty of orthopaedics. Not only are they technically gifted, but they are amazing teachers and role models. Dr. Matsen, our former chairman, is the prime example of someone who is dedicated to teaching and providing excellent patient care. Attendings here are very approachable, friendly, and appreciate the hard work that we do. I can tell you it makes a huge difference learning how to operate from people that care about your education and are good at what they do. <br />
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The best part of this program is that the faculty is very responsive to resident needs. We have monthly meetings with the chair/PD to voice our concerns and because of this we've enacted many positive changes even in the past few years.
Didactics / Teaching
We have Monday morning conference every week and grand rounds on Wednesday once a month. Each site also has their own academic conferences about once a week. We have been developing a two year rotating curriculum to make sure that every topic is covered in depth. Our new ISIS lab is a full service surgical skills facility where we can do dissections and sawbones labs.<br />
Again, having experienced faculty sharing their knowledge is a great advantage of being here.
Operating Experience
Always a big concern for prospective residents since we are an academic program with fellows. However, I can honestly say that this has never been an issue for me. As a junior, the fellows are a great resource and can take you through cases. As a senior, there is enough volume so that you don't overlap (i.e. two rooms with a fellow in one and you in the other). The expectation here is that residents should be doing any case a general orthopedist would do. Additionally we have plenty of rotations without fellows including sports, joints, VA, and Virginia Mason to name a few. As I near the end of my training I feel very comfortable in the operating room and cant believe how much I've learned.
Clinic Experience
You will see lots of bread and butter ortho, but also the complex cases that get referred to tertiary care. Our catchment area includes five states! (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho). Believe me, you will see things here that you wont see anywhere else. Not to mention Harborview is basically the only level 1 trauma for all these states.
Research Opportunities
This will likely be the next big push. We have a very productive research faculty and are currently trying to get residents more involved in basic science research. We have one dedicated research rotation in the third year. There are also plenty of clinical research opportunities if you are interested.
Residents
In my opinion the best part of the program (clearly I am biased). But seriously we have an amazing group of people that are hard workers, fun to be around, socialize outside of work, like to play outdoors, and will be there anytime you need them.
Lifestyle
Pretty much all home call except for your 4.5 months as an R2 at Harborview. Harborview ER can be busy as the R2, but you learn a tremendous amount about fracture care and efficiency. Its funny because I didn't even realize that Harborview was known for trauma when I matched (didn't rotate here) but its probably one of the best hospitals Ive ever worked at, and definitely a gem of this program. We are strictly adherent to the 80 hour work week, and outside of the R2 year I don't think its ever even close to being an issue. Ive had an amazing time exploring Seattle and the rest of the pacific northwest.
Location / Housing
Seattle is amazing. There are so many great neighborhoods. The food, entertainment, culture, outdoors activities, and people are top notch.
Limitations
some people say that our sports is weak....if you were to twist my arm and make me pick something then i guess i would agree. However, in the last few years we've made some great changes including: a week long arthroscopy course which we do as R3's and again as R4's, a new sports trained attending (former UW grad) at the VA who is an awesome teacher, and a newer shoulder surgeon who has about %50 arthroscopic practice. Matching for fellowships is also not a problem as 4 of my classmates will be doing sports next year.
Overall Rotation Experience / Conclusion
This is a ridiculously long review, but I just want people to know how much I've enjoyed my time here. You will find that there is no best program, just one that works for you. UW is a great option and I feel very lucky to have trained here.
