University of Virginia Health System

Dear Applicant,

I am currently a second year surgery resident.  I moved to Charlottesville when I attended UVA as an undergraduate student and have not left since.  When all is said and done with residency, I will have lived here for fifteen years and I could not be happier with my decision to stay.

When it became time to assemble my rank list, I knew I wanted to train at a program that had a strong academic reputation and excellent research opportunities.  More important than that, however, was choosing a program that had a true sense of camaraderie among the residents.  I wanted to train at a place where I would have a collegial relationship with the other residents at work, but also enjoy hanging out with them outside of the hospital; that is exactly what I got by staying at UVA.  I truly believe that the sense of community and camaraderie here at UVA is unparalleled by any other program.  My wife has benefited from this same sense of community and has become friends with several of the female residents and the wives of other residents in our short time since beginning residency.

Another major factor for me was location.  Charlottesville, while not a large city, offers numerous activities outside of the hospital.  It has the charm and safety of a small town, but one is never at a loss for something to do.  The legacy of Thomas Jefferson provides a rich history to this unique place.  The Downtown walking-mall has numerous excellent restaurants, live music, art exhibits, shopping, and is simply a great atmosphere in which to spend a Friday evening.  There are many beautiful hikes through the Blue Ridge Mountains, nearby wineries, golf courses, and plenty of other outdoor activities.  Since beginning my residency, I have taken up triathlon training and road biking and have been exploring more of this beautiful region every week.  One of the things I love about Charlottesville is, despite the fact that I've lived here for ten years, I continue to find new things to do.

I am incredibly happy to be at a program that will provide me with such a strong academic foundation that will serve me well in my fellowship and beyond, but also has so many stress-reducing opportunities outside of the hospital.  It is this balance that makes UVA a unique place, and a fun and exciting place to train.

Sincerely,