I love the ever present change of seasons, the proximity to Boston (close enough to get there but far enough away to stay sane), the cutting edge academics, the food, the beach, and the arts scene (RISD, AS220, Trinity Repertory Company, and galleries galore). But most of all, I love the big attitude we have in this little place. Though we're tiny on the map, we've got a million people all jumbled together. Yet live here 3 years and you will find yourself seeing familiar faces everywhere you go. You can establish your own network with "degrees of separation" that would make Kevin Bacon jealous.

This isn't New York, where anonymity is a precious commodity. Here, you can make a name for yourself. I've known interns who have successfully lobbied at the state-house to help pass new legislation, and local doctors who regularly grace the glossy covers of magazines.

This in turn makes us feel like part of a close knit community, an extended family of sorts, which of course we are. There's a place at the table set for you, are you coming?



Besides, who doesn't love a state that gets 3% bigger at low tide? Derek Andelloux, Class of 2012 "We have the beautifully preserved walkable and bikeable city of Providence, with quaint architecture, cobblestone streets, and a gleaming white state house where politicians are easily accessible.



We have gorgeous beaches--from the famous Newport breakers with the seven-mile Cliffwalk overlooking the ocean, to the Horseneck Beach across I-195 in Massachusetts, where kiteboarders share the waves with summer sun lovers, to the beaches along Sakonnet Point, a scenic farmland drive away.



Rhode Island is one of the nation's thinnest states. Maybe it's from all the hills. But communities have also made it easy to live actively, with many walking/running/biking paths. Slater Park, near the hospital, has a three-mile long old canal trail that winds past a swan's nest to a beautiful waterway. Blackstone Boulevard has a path down its center, exactly three miles long, if you're training for any races (or cap an evening stroll with delicious ice cream at Three Sisters). The East Bay Bike Path makes for an ambitious day trip of 17 miles, with delicious chowder at the end, where land meets sea. You can also do it in spurts; starting in East Providence, the trail is on a ribbon of land surrounded by water, making for a scenic few miles. One of my favorite things is that I can bike to work. I loved crossing the Blackstone River as the sun came up over the hospital, a beautiful way to start the day." Kohar Jones, Class of 2008 "I love the way RI is located: In between the great cities of Boston in New York, both in good reach, but yet Providence is not quite as crazy to live in. We are between the ocean with its beautiful beaches on the one side and the mountains and woods of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont on the other side. The culturally inspiring environment of New England has a European flair with many nice locations of RI itself all within short distance: the East side, the beaches, Newport, Bristol, the bikepaths, many little cafes and great restaurants and many more attractions. I also like the fact that we get all four seasons, but that the winters aren't too bad and the summers aren't too hot. I feel this is a great place to live." Bernd Laudenberg, Class of 2009 “I love Rhode Island for Providence and their big town/small city feel that has a great blend of art, culture, and restaurants (and Waterfire!). It has a laidback atmosphere that is sometimes difficult to find in the northeast, as well as classic tastes that include: quahogs, Del's lemonade, cabinets, and coffee milk. You can find adventures along a bike path from Providence to Bristol, around Block Island, sailing in the harbor from a great community boating club in India Point Park or running on beautiful Blackstone Boulevard through Swan Point Cemetery. I love getting lost and discovering new places because there are no appropriately visible street signs anywhere in the state, and talking with patients who have grown up in Pawtucket and feel that Providence is too far to go see a specialist. There are actual small towns with general stores and cut-your-own Christmas tree farms; amazing state parks, beaches and green spaces; farmers markets every day of the week; the Newport Cliff Walk; and all the yet-to-be-discovered treasures that our little state has to offer.” Jordan White, Class of 2009 “I see Rhode Island as a "State of one" – one million people in a state where you can reach every corner in one hour; one city stretching from Pawtucket in the North to Warwick in the South, and Providence in the middle; one capital which is one mile away; one Medical School, one Department of Family Medicine, and you see the same 100 people wherever you go! I also love RI because, even with the small size, (which makes everything accessible), there are endless interesting small corners and hidden treasures. These range from the innumerable beaches (Goosewing and those by Little Compton are my favorites) to small towns with lighthouses and old historical sites to endless biking trails. I love RI because people are friendly – the "Midwest of the Northeast"” Jeffrey Borkan, MD, PhD

Chair