I Chose Steadman for the People
Every year a team of fellows who has completed their orthopaedic residencies come to Vail to expand their surgical and research skills. Their focus is on the causes, treatment and prevention of injuries.
Most will say their time at The Steadman Clinic and SPRI was the most valuable experience of their career. Recently we asked former fellows why they chose SPRI and the impact on their success.
In his own words – Dr. Patrick Kane, MD
I definitely did not choose Steadman for the location. Vail and skiing may have held a lot of appeal for a lot of people looking at Steadman but I was actually very apprehensive about the winter in Colorado. I had never really skied before and never thought I'd end up in the mountains for a year. I really chose Steadman for the people. From the moment I interviewed and met the physicians at SPRI I knew that was where I wanted to be. They're some of the best surgeons in the world but were so incredibly approachable, positive, and enthusiastic about teaching and mentoring the next generation of sports surgeons. I know my own learning style and personality and I knew working with the surgeons at Steadman would be the best possible fellowship experience for me. After having just finished that year, I have to say it did not disappoint. My year in Vail was everything I could have asked for and more. It exceeded all expectations and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. All of the attendings were incredible to work with (not just our main sports surgeons but all of them, Dr. Viola and Dr. Clanton included). The cadaver lab experience is something that I don't think any other program in the country can even come close to matching. It was truly invaluable to my education and has already helped me tremendously in my current practice. The entire staff at The Steadman Clinic was amazing. My wife actually tore her ACL and became a patient and the overwhelming support from everyone at Steadman was truly remarkable. The ski team coverage/trips are experiences that I honestly never would have even dreamed of but were so incredible and experiences that I will truly never forget.
I could not have asked for a better fellowship in preparing me for my current practice. The mentorship experience with the Steadman physicians has been invaluable and I think the relationships built with them might be the most important aspect of the fellowship. I still communicate with them on almost a weekly to even daily basis for questions about cases and patients. Their guidance and reassurance has been a tremendous resource for me in establishing my own practice. I've been able to bring a completely new skill set to the area where I'm practicing because of the incredible training I received at Steadman. The cadaver lab was such an important resource in my education and preparing me for independent practice.