Emory

I am a native of Atlanta and did a rotation at Atlanta Medical Center which is another Level I Trauma Center in Atlanta along with Grady Hospital where Emory's residents' work. I was told by several of the orthopaedic residents at atlanta medical that life at Grady on orthopaedics is awful. As interns or 2nd years you will never sleep on call and the seniors are usually always up all night operating. This is fairly consistent with what I have heard from others. Although there are other rotations much of your time is spent at Grady. Hope this helps

Atlanta medical center is actually a level II center. Grady is the only level 1 in atlanta and it sees all major trauma for the city. It is a huge county hospital that sees mostly indigent patients, and the ancillary staff is terrible for the most part. Approx. 2 years of the ortho years are spent there. As a two a big chunk of your time is spent there q3 up all night nonstop with all full OR or clinic the next day. Upper levels take home call but usually end up operating in the middle of the night.

The residents are tired by the end of their grady rotations, but they are extremely competent in trauma. I guess this is the double edged sword of a big county hospital. Sometimes the residents have more automomy than they want when the attendings decide not to come in during the middle of the night.

All in all it is very strong program that produces excellent surgeons. A little trauma heavy, so if you don't want to bust your ass, it might not be the place for you.