) Their current chair is a very highly respected, very well known, old school surgeon who essentially came out of retirement to pull in the reigns and reorganize the department after residual problems from the merger of BI and NE Deconess hospitals and other assorted political issues were straining the department. (I do not think it accurate to describe the department as being in "shambles," however) This chair seems to have been successful in his endeavours, but has a bit of a unique, some would say malignant, personality however I got the impression he is not interested in staying on for many years and the residents that are there seemed genuinely fond of him, so take his reputation for what it is worth. It is a generally well regarded program (I don't think anyone would fault you for training there) but maybe not as academic as the other 'prestige' Boston programs. However, I was told again and again by attendings whom I trust that Harvard is Harvard, and that will afford you certain opportunities in training and networking that will only help you. (Please do not start another Harvard "name" war--I am not implying that it is the best "name" out there or the best training programs, but there is something to be said about entering an institution with an internationally recognized name and deep pockets to fund your hospital and research)