(Post info courtesy of Tim Ewald, Drexel 2009 on 9/16/08)
Chairman: Arlen Hanssen (joints guy)
Number of residents: 10/year (12/yr starting 2009)
Strengths: Great reputation as one of the top 2-3 programs in the country/world, leading to ease in finding a fellowship. Strengths include joints, upper extremity, hand, tumor. During the PGY-2 year, there is a dedicated 6 months where every weekday afternoon is devoted to basic science. Mayo rep leads to people traveling from all over the world with interesting/cool problems to fix. Technology - computers/EMR everywhere. The facilities are top-notch - at one of their hospitals they have 10 ORs just for ortho. One resident to one attending at almost all times leads to lots of OR experience form the start. Good salaries + low cost-of-living = great value. Good medical and dental benefits. Little traffic/good commute and their different hospitals <5 minute drive away from each other.
Cons: Large program, so less camaraderie. Weaknesses in trauma, sports. Formal attire required when not in the OR. Rochester is a town of 90,000 people in the middle of farmland, so there's not a lot happening (i.e. if you are single, think twice); Twin Cities are only 1-1.5 hour drive, but still.
Overall: a great program overall that will give you a good educational experience and will set you up for a fellowship. If your are OK with a smaller city and cold winters, this is a great program.
A AND B LISTS ARE A REALITY
Posted by: Richie Laurensonnson | December 22, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Hanssen will fire you if you slip up and end up on his shit list... Caveat emptor.
Posted by: Richie Laurensonnson | December 22, 2009 at 08:51 AM
A very uneven experience.
Like being on chemo for five years.
A true caste system.
Posted by: H Plummer | November 25, 2011 at 04:01 AM