Providence and Rhode Island

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Moving to Providence by Dr. Doug Nilson

The program was a no brainer. Brown offered a clinical experience that couldn't be beat at any of the other programs I was considering - the only level one trauma center in the state and beyond, one of the busiest ERs in the country, a brand new emergency room with all the bells and whistles, and a highly academic faculty motivated to educate. I didn't, however, know much about Providence and the Ocean State, except that it was home to the Farrelly brothers and provided the setting to the Family Guy. You can't consider the program without thinking about where you'll be spending the next 3 or 4 years of your life, and when I was thinking about the next move I needed to learn more. I knew Boston well and seriously considered its programs right along with Brown's. As I researched Providence and surrounding Rhode Island, I soon felt that location, in addition to the program, made my choice an easy one.

Providence is a dynamic city. At just over 175,000 it is small, but substantial. Traffic here means it takes fifteen instead of ten minutes to get to work, yet one can spend a Friday night dining at a top notch gourmet restaurant and watching a touring Broadway musical. The city can accommodate a wide variety of budgets and living choices. There is Thayer Street and College Hill, an extremely walkable part of the city, with RISD and Brown set among terrific restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and film houses. It is a small college town within the city, full of activity. It is the location of some of the best places to eat in the city with food prepared by chefs who have graduated from the world renowned Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute. Many resident physicians find flats and apartments to rent and even buy in this popular neighborhood, which is no more than a few minutes from the hospital. Just down the hill and over the river one finds the city's downtown, home to yet more outstanding restaurants, a slew of locales that play host to the city's active music scene, and several playhouses including the Providence Performing Arts Center and Trinity Repertory Company. As part of a major renovation under the reign of the city's most popular and colorful mayor, Buddy Cianci, the riverfront between these two neighborhoods has become essential to the summer nightlife. Several times a month during the summer and early fall months, thousands of people gather for Waterfire, a unique street festival along the riverfront. The brainchild of a RISD student, bonfires are set aflame on the river while people enjoy food from the local vendors, pause by the street performers in the park, or wander over to the large dance stage set up on the downtown side of the river.

There are numerous quirky neighborhoods to explore in Providence, including the Jewelry district, Blackstone, Wayland, Fox Point, and the West End. One of the most popular neighborhoods is historic Federal Hill, a vibrant, deeply rooted Italian neighborhood. It's full of an incredible array of Italian eateries, including, in my opinion, the best pizza joint I have ever been to (Bob and Timmy's). Many residents find accommodations to rent or buy in the city's residential neighborhoods or nearby towns. Given the size of the state, one can really consider living almost anywhere within its confines. If you're willing to extend your commuting time, you can even live on the beach in Narragansett.

When you have a bit of free time, all of New England is at your fingertips. Whether you want to stay close by and get some cheap tickets to the Pawtucket Pawsox (the Red Sox AAA baseball team) or bike along the East Bay Bicycle Path down to Bristol for a waterfront lunch of lobster rolls, there is no shortage of activities. There is also great array of outdoor activities within striking distance - including kayaking in South County, Rock climbing at the gym or in Lincoln Park, road or mountain biking, hiking, or sailing. Rhode Island has a number of vacation destinations including Narragansett beach (a great place for post-call napping), Newport, Bristol, Jamestown, and Block Island are just a few. Living here means that you're an hour from Boston or Cape Cod, three hours from New York city, or a couple of hours from tremendous skiing and hiking in Vermont or New Hampshire. All of these are easily reachable when you have a day off.

My wife and I were able to find a house two miles from the hospital and love our home. My friends and family are envious of the fact that we have a yard and that it takes me seven minutes door to door to commute. We spend a lot of time lounging on the beach in the summer, exploring New England's outdoors, going out to eat in the city with friends, or visiting our friends in Boston or New York. I encourage you all to visit the Brown Emergency Medicine Residency and Providence to see if they are the perfect fit for you and your family. Good luck!