UC Davis

Chairman : Paul Di Cesare
PD: Rolando Roberto
Location: Sacramento, CA
Spots: 5 (four 5 yr, one 6 yr)

Reputation: Known as “best” program in CA, largely due to storied ex-Chairman Michael Chapman, although he retired several years ago and program has been wavering a bit. Trauma heavy, very team oriented, “blue-collar, get your hands dirty” type of program.

Pros: Good all around program with strong reputation. Heavy on trauma, well-rounded program with multiple attendings in all areas - hand, spine, joints, peds, and sports. New Chairman Di Cesare from Joint Diseases brings expertise in resurfacing arthroplasty. Some more famous attendings include Szabo (Szabo classification), Chapman (Chapman’s Orthopaedics), Marder (Sacramento Kings doc).

Cons: Recent exodus of two foot/ankle attendings, sports legend Eric Heiden (5 gold medals in 1980 Winter Olympics), and tumor specialist still being felt. Program in transition with new Chairman. Hand, Spine, and Trauma fellows can take cases. Sacramento is not the most exciting place but you are still in CA an hour from the mountains, an hour from San Francisco. 

Final Word: Strong program, strong reputation, in CA. You would be lucky to get a spot at Davis.

Website: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/orthopaedics/education/residency/index.html

Rotation Information: Used to favor rotators although seems to be moving away from this. Lots of rotators in high season. Away rotation on Trauma Service is a must.

Interview Dates: 2007 - 1/9 & 1/16

If you are a student, resident, attending or have recently rotated, please feel free to post any information, additions, changes, or comments.

Comments

[Ibrahim]

Di Cesare was just asked to step down. It was a big surprise even for him. Does it mean the program will automatically be on probation? They still don't have a full-time tumor guy. Lots of fellows that take cases. Very trauma heavy. No night float system (bad for life style). Favor rotators heavily.

[Matt Z]

Don't waste your time rotating at this malignant program! My away rotation was a complete joke. You aren't even guaranteed an interview even with hard work and good performance. I can't believe I paid over $1000 to live in sacramento and rotate on the trauma service, working super hard, getting up at 3 am every day, and then not even getting an interview. Complete waste of time and energy. Dr. Yoo is just a jerk - don't expect to scrub in on his cases. The fellows are also snooty including Jill and Rob and they act annoyed when you try to help with anything. Not to mention when you rotate at UCD, there are several other medical students who you have to take call with who step on each other's toes. They all try to outshine each other all the time - thats a healthy environment! One night we had 4 med students taking call together! Your grade is supposedly based on making the Trauma List for the residents by 5 am. They expect you to handwrite individual lab values on the sheet every morning in ridiculously small handwriting, and if you make one scratch you have to do it all over again. Stupid. Oh and getting electronic access is a nightmare bc they take forever, and the residents act like you should know everything about the trauma registry and how to use it even before you have access to it! Bottom line is that the people here from the residents to the director are insanely arrogant and enjoy making you feel inferior. Complete joke. Have fun :)