Alumni Reflections

I recently published a study exploring the reasons why over 50% of orthopedic surgeons switch jobs within the first two years of practice. As a whole, we have excelled in nearly everything we put our hands on – college, MCATs, medical school, USMLE, residency and fellowship. So, it is confusing why we often fail for the first time at meaningful employment. During my preparation of the manuscript, I had come to realize that the orthopedic residency at Columbia provided me that missing training—that ‘it’ factor. Before being a skilled surgeon, Columbia Orthopedics teaches you to become a proficient doctor. And before becoming a proficient doctor, you will become a good person. It is the most well-rounded residency program in the nation with lifelong mentorship that extends far past the operating room and long after graduation. The program can be molded specifically to your subspecialty interests and goals—rotations are flexible, cases are innumerable and opportunities are endless. When you match this program, you become part of our Columbia Orthopedic family. Fortunately, Columbia is one of the most highly recognizable and well-respected educational brands in the world. I have not been let down.

I can say without reservation that Columbia Orthopedics provided an unprecedented training experience largely due to the mentorship of the faculty. The attendings, many of whom are national leaders in their sub-specialties, have made residency education a priority. With a near one-to-one ratio of attendings to residents, personal relationships are fostered that enhance the learning environment and encourage trainee growth, independence, and confidence in and out of the operating room. I maintain a close personal and professional relationship with multiple attendings who have provided different perspectives on the complex cases I have encountered since graduating. Research opportunities are also abundant in every subspecialty field providing interested trainees a plethora of opportunities to pursue academic interests. This experience is enhanced by a dedicated staff and infrastructure that enables residents to be productive with research while maintaining a busy clinical schedule. Moreover, the operative training delivers a unique balance of the bread and butter cases that all residents need repetitive exposure to, as well as the rare cases that only a specialized tertiary care facility with internationally renowned surgeons can facilitate. Overall, Columbia provided a truly remarkable learning experience to initiate my career in orthopedics.

I cannot thank my mentors at Columbia enough for the comprehensive, diverse, and thoughtful approach to my orthopedic surgical residency training. When I was applying and interviewing for residency programs I did not know exactly what to look for – as most medical students do not – but I did get the sense immediately that Columbia’s approach was thorough and supportive. More than a decade later I am proud to be a graduate of such an amazing program that has significantly contributed to my success and confidence as an orthopedic surgeon in the community. After graduation I joined a large managed care organization and was more than equipped to practice amongst those that had many more years of experience than me. After several years in this large group, I took the risk to start and run my own orthopedic concierge practice and it is the fundamentals from my residency training that has allowed me to embark on this new adventure that has flourished in just two short years. I am proud to be apart of the Columbia family and continue to receive mentorship, support and connection that is an invaluable aspect of my training that will last me throughout my career.

My time in the NYOH/Columbia Orthopedics residency was a great experience. It is definitely hard work, but good work. I learned how to operate, take care of patients and developed lifelong friendships and mentorships. I really appreciated my role models showing me how to be kind and understanding to all patients regardless of socioeconomic status and education level. I also learned how to continue to learn after my training by going to courses or meetings and spending time in the lab. One of the most important things I learned was how to treat patients like family, and I will always be grateful to my training for this very important and neglected aspect of residency education.

I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of such a complete and rigorous orthopedic training program. To me, what sets Columbia and NYOH above others is the unparalleled mentorship from the first day of internship, to the tough cases in the early days of practice, and now with advice and support while advancing in academic rank. I am in my 7th year in practice and am the Associate Program Director for the Long Island Jewish Orthopedic Residency Program. In this position, I aim to emulate many of the Columbia/NYOH principles. For my residents, I expect the meticulous preparation for cases that was expected of me. I give honest, constructive feedback as it was given to me, and provide unwavering support long after graduation, as I still feel today from my NYOH family. The NYOH residency experience prepared me to be a competent and confident surgeon, but the ongoing relationships with the faculty keeps my practice and career fresh and rewarding.