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ABC Travelling Fellows 2008 Diary Sixth stop: San Diego Sunday 11 May to Wednesday 14 May Sunday 11 May A pretty smooth progress though the airport this time, certainly for Peter Poon who got an upgrade, leaving the rest of us in cattle class. We were met by Dr Matthew Provencher, our local host and part of the Naval Medical Centre orthopaedic team. After checking into The Hyatt hotel at Mission Bay, we were transferred to the home of Dr Keith Holley and his wife Helen for an informal evening meeting with faculty and residents the USNMC, and some excellent food and wine. Andrew Barrow was particularly impressed by Dr Holley’s excellent African game collection, and his cellar was a source of enormous envy. Monday 12 May An early start again, transfer to the USNMC to present to the residents’ meeting before separating to clinical sessions. Knee surgery with Dr Covey; shoulder surgery with Dr Provencher; Hip surgery with Dr Holley; spine surgery with the neurosurgeons, all interesting and stimulating cases. From there it was over to Dr Provencher’s house on Corronado Island for a casual sandwich lunch before moving onto Miramar for the F-18 flight simulator via a tour of the naval base. This was a fantastic afternoon, being guided by a real life Top Gun instructor in flying and landing an F-18. All was going well until Richard Williams crashed into the carrier and the computer refused to restart. Fortunately when we then went out to see the real F-18s, he wasn’t allowed in the cockpit. Goodness knows what might have happened. Fantastic to have such access, and huge thanks to Lt. Daniel “Manlove” Monlux.
Dr Provenchar operating
Fellows, manlove and transport After an exercise break with several of the group hitting the pacific beach boardwalk for a run, we re-convened to dinner at Gringos Mexican Café on Pacific Beach. We were joined by Scott of local brace and orthopaedic implant company Don Joy and two of his sales team for an excellent spread of real Mexican food.
Mexican feast Tuesday 13 May After a communal breakfast, Dr Provencher transferred the group to University of California San Diego Medical School. We were met by Dr Amiel and Dr Lieber, who gave presentations of their research in cartilage transplantation and muscle science, with an interesting discussion. We then transferred, via Torrey Pines Golf Course (to host US Open 2008), to Hillcrest Medical Centre to meet Dr Hagen, and his team. They gave presentations of their work in upright MRI of the loaded lumbar spine in children with backpacks, the genetics of BMP promotion of spinal fusion as well as overviews of their work in bed rest and weightless rehabilitation. After a rapid lunch and photo opportunity at the Hotel del Coronado, we went onto the Naval Base. Again Dr Provencher’s ID gained us access, and we were taken on a tour of the USS Rentz, including a chat from the Captain. Amazing the access we have been given by the Navy. The evening was spent at the Western Orthopaedic Association Meeting at the Admiral Baker Naval Golf Club for dinner with residents and faculty, during which the fellows gave short talks on their backgrounds and practice. From there we moved to the Kansas City Barbecue, the bar made famous in Top Gun, and a fantastic photo opportunity. All helped along by some cold ones.
On the USS Rentz
Commander Barrow Wednesday 14 May Another day, another early pickup. This time to the UCSD Grand Rounds for fellows’ presentations. A large audience generated lively discussion, led by Drs Provencher, Mazrick, Holley, Ball, Lane, Meunier, Thompson, Lee and Dr Corey. And that is the end of our formal commitments for San Diego – back to the hotel, pack and prepare for the bus ride into the parking lot that is the LA freeway system. Thank you San Diego, you guys are rock stars. |
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