Resident Life in Iowa City
Written by Ryan Takenaga
Resident life in Iowa City combines the benefits of training at a major academic medical center with the virtues of a Midwestern college town. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) is the major Level 1 trauma center for all of Iowa, as well as for western Illinois and northern Missouri. Therefore, residents are exposed to a high volume of bread and butter orthopaedic cases, as well as the rare and complicated cases that are best treated by the expert faculty at UIHC. The hospital is consistently ranked in the top 10 by US News in Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology, and Ophthalmology, which draws top medical students from across the country to train in these excellent specialties. One of the great benefits offered to residents is free healthcare and dental benefits. All medical and dental services are provided free of charge when resident use UIHC facilities. Noteworthy inclusive services are childbirth costs and basic prescription and selection of common OTC medications.
Iowa City is the home of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, one of the Big 10 schools. As expected at a major Big 10 school, fall is a time for football and Saturdays become a time to rest, relax, and root for the Black and Gold. Other major sports for Hawk fans are basketball, baseball, and wrestling. Iowa is where world famous wrestler Dan Gable wrestled and coached, therefore, wrestling holds a special place in the hearts of all native Iowans. Besides athletics, residents benefit from the cultural activities offered by a major research university. Hancher Auditorium regularly has an impressive calendar of musical and theatric offerings. As for downtown Iowa City, it resembles other college towns, with plenty of unique shops, homegrown restaurants, and bars to residents to enjoy when not at the hospital. While the college town offers plenty of social diversions for single residents, the community is also very family friendly and offers married residents with families an abundance of family friendly activies. There is a Childrens Museum at the local mall, multiple community parks and pools, play groups, a variety of churches of all denominations. The Department of Orthopaedics also offers regular festivities for its residents. These include a New Resident Welcome Picnic every summer, a Halloween costume parade through the department for children of the residents every Halloween, a Christmas Party every December, Senior Residents Pool Party each Spring, and at least two barbeques at Trauma faculty homes every spring. These department events contribute to the collegial and family feel of Iowa Orthopaedics.
In addition to the academic medical center and college town setting, residents benefit from the virtues of a Midwestern community. The greater Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty region is safe, well educated, low stress place to live. Crime is rare compared to that seen in the big cities. The population is relatively young and very well educated. Residents all tend to live within one to ten miles from the hospital, which translates to a short less than 15 minute commute, at most. We often joke that traffic in this region is having to wait for two red lights at an intersection. Community events are also a highlight. A few of these events include the Iowa City JazzFest, Coralville 4thFest, Solon Beef Days, North Liberty Fun Days.
Featured Residents
Julian Carlo, Class of 2013
Julian Carlo is a third year resident from the state of Alabama. He moved up north for college and majored in Biological Anthropology at Harvard. It was this subject that initially sparked his interests in orthopaedics. He remained in Boston for four more years to complete medical school before making the trek to Iowa for residency. Though initially what attracted him to the program included the program's strength, reputation, faculty, as well as simply the novelty of living in the state of Iowa, what ultimately convinced him to come to Iowa was his interview visit, which confirmed the above and offered a certain "it" factor between the program and the town which promised an excellent next five years. So far he has greatly enjoyed working with faculty and with his fellow residents, a group of hardworking and down-to-earth colleagues. He is undecided about the direction of his future orthopaedic career, but will plan on remaining in academic medicine and knows Iowa will prepare him well for any future endeavors.
Cameron Schick, Class of 2014
My name is Cameron Schick and I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I attended the University of Iowa for undergraduate school where I majored in Biology. I enjoyed my experience in Iowa City so much that I was eager to come back after medical school in Texas. Thankfully, I matched at Iowa and am grateful to be back in Iowa.
Although Houston is wonderful, Iowa City is even better. To start, the city is a perfect place for a resident. I have a 6-minute commute from my front door to my desk in the resident room. There is no such thing as traffic in Iowa City. Well, there is, but nothing compared to Houston - and it only happens on game days. Iowa football is a great tradition that you will enjoy during your time here. The food here is great. There is a great grocery store called the New Pioneer Co-op that can be compared to a smaller Whole Foods. The restaurants are fantastic. Orchard Green, 126, Linn Street Cafe, and Devotay to name a few.
Iowa City is extremely sophisticated, which has several advantages. If you have children, they will get a top-notch education. People generally enjoy what they do here and as a result you get good efficient service wherever you go. The housing market is affordable and seemingly untouched by our economic situation. I bought a house ¾ of a mile from the hospital.
Our residency program is the best in the country. I was told that during the interview process at another institution and completely agree. We get a comprehensive and well-rounded education/training that provides us with the tools needed to be successful wherever we go and in whatever field. Once a resident here you are instantly part of the Iowa family and tradition that you will be a part of for the rest of your life - something that is unique and refreshing compared to most programs. We work hard, we take good care of our patients, and we have fun. I have no regrets about my decision to train at Iowa.
Shannon Cassel, Class of 2016
My name is Shannon Cassel and I am a born and raised Iowan. After attending the University of Iowa for medical school, I thought residency would a great time for me to move to a new part of the country. I interviewed at residency programs across the United States but in the end, the University of Iowa is the right place for me. Iowa’s orthopaedic program is exceptional in many ways. Once you are at Iowa, you are family. People know and support each other in all aspects of life, at work and at home. The faculty are some of the best in the country and are passionate about teaching in the OR, in clinics, and in conferences. There is a sense of collegiality and a team mentality that enhances the learning environment. Throughout residency, patient care remains a top priority and learning is complemented by clinical activities. Rotations offer residents early exposure to all fields of orthopaedics and prepare residents well to go on to fellowship or general practice. The Iowa City area is also a treasured part of the Iowa residency experience. Great restaurants, shows, and local events make for a lively and engaging community without the hassle of traffic. I am glad I travelled across the country to look at other programs, but I am also very thankful and happy that I was given the incredible opportunity to stay at Iowa for my orthopaedic training.