Overview
Newish 1-4 program recruiting its second intern class. Started in 2007 with lots of flair and excitement and a whirling dervish of a program director in Susan Promes. Looking over last year's reviews, it became apparent that this program was on a lot of people's wish lists. Went there myself and I can definitely see why: the program has that "X-factor" that really outstanding organizations all have. Program is now its own department (as of July 08) and appears to have solid support from the other UCSF programs. Gorgeous but expensive city with international appeal.
Interview Day
Met in the Moffett ED and went over to an executive conference room, where we were served a nice continental breakfast and Dr. Promes gave us a nice, brief overview. We were then broken up into a tour and an interview group. Four 20 minute interviews (all too short by far – great conversations were had), and then each group switched. Each tour group has a 30 min "open session" with Dr. Promes. Then we all boarded a bus over to SFGH and had the tour there. Lunch at SFGH, then back over to Moffett to end the day (around 3 pm).
o
Interviews: pretty much how most EM interviews are, you know? Non-confrontational, chatty, why UCSF and the bay area, where do you see yourself, etc. Susan Promes basically says that if your only goal is to be a clock-punching EP then you would probably not wish to come to her program.
o
Tours: Moffett is a gorgeous hospital with pretty much the most amazing ICU I've even heard of. Open ICU concept which means that you gett good ICU experience even when on a general medicine month. Lots of large windows with great views, and one giant window with a spectacular view of Golden Gate Park. SFGH is a lot more crowded and beat down looking, but plans are apparently afoot to refurb the place. SFGH's location is pretty prime and there are plans to build an additional building to the hospital starting next year. Together, the hospitals make for a very nice and integrated University/County hospital training environment.
o
Lunch: Pretty awesome. Get a cookie at the start or else they will be gone!
Residents
12 per class. Freshman class has a definite West and West Coast feel and mix. Pre-interview meet and greet was at Park Chow's, which was tasty and low-key. Some (non-interviewing) faculty were there at the beginning abut left halfway through. The residents were definitely an eclectic bunch, but I mean that in a nice way. =) The description "Nice" is the most apt one to describe the class. Very helpful before, during, and after the interview. There was an overall theme of wanting to get in on the ground floor of a soon-to-be-outstanding program. Most had time to go mountain biking, surfing, wine tasting, etc in their spare time. As you would expect, they loved living in San Fran.
Overall, I'd feel happy and very comfortable working with this group of residents and having them as seniors.
Faculty
I'm almost tempted to say "What more needs to be said??" because, well, it's UCSF. But that would be a cop-out, I think, so let me give my impressions. Susan Promes is every good thing that you've heard about. Whip-smart, funny, and aggressive, she's the reason why this program is headed on an upward trajectory. A natural leader. Michelle Lin is known as an oustanding teacher and I can see why. I interviewed with her and it was one of the more stimulating encounters that I've had in years. She throws off ideas like a downed power line throws off sparks. The rest of the faculty that I met was similarly engaging. I tell you no lies: I was impressed by each and every one, and it had nothing to do with their CVs. Rather, their smarts and
energy were palpable things. Very motivating.
Ancillary staff
Reported as good. The staff at Moffett and SFGH seemed experienced but not jaded and full of humor. Good sense of teamwork with the physicians. I liked ‘em.
Curriculum
o
PGY1-4: Look it up on the website.
o
Other notes: Dr. Promes is reportedly pretty aggressive about making sure that rotations are high-yield, and has apparently had good success in getting other departments to play along. From what the residents told me, they haven't encountered any grief from the off-service folks. Rather, because UCSF has such a stellar rep in medicine, surgery, etc, they feel that they have to go above and beyond to establish a great reputation for the program. Which is a good thing in my book. Trauma is reported as being a part of the program but not the big enchilada by any means.
o
Shifts:: Interesting mix of 8s during the week and 12s on weekends so that they get more weekends off. Split time between the hospitals.
o
Seniors: Currently Highland and Stanford seniors cover the hospitals and there is some crosstalk between the programs.
o
Bennies: You get about $500/month as a housing stipend which combined with the base salary give you about $51,0000/year to live on. As Good health, dental, etc. according to the residents.
No word on moonlighting at this time.
Fellowships: Can't recall.
Facilities: as above
Charting
Mix of paper and electronic, if I recall correctly.
Location
San Francisco. Gorgeous, cosmopolitan, expensive.
2BR/1B apartments close to Moffett were reported to go for
~$1,700 (note that this was reported to be a rent-controlled place so YMMV). Yikes. Lots of things to do in your off time. Awesome restaurants in the city. Airport is relatively accessable. Parking is awful so rent a place with a paid spot. OTOH, great municipal train/rail system. Windy.
Negatives
[NB: I've been a plankowner of two previous startup organizations outside of medicine, so I'm not a newcomer to this rodeo.]
o New program. No seniors who've gone where you're headed to hand out advice. The inevitable bugs that will have to be worked out of the system.
o Michelle Lin won't be the Associate PD by next summer, as she has decided to pursue other pathways at UCSF. [She'll still be on faculty and teaching though.]
o
Cost of Living: yeah, it's expensive. Doable on two incomes. However, if you had a family then I think that it'd be a dicier proposition. Remember, it's not just the rents that are expensive in SF, so do your homework.
o
Funding comes from both UCSF and the City of San Francisco. So when you're working at the VA or Moffett-Long, you'll be paid
once a month. But at SFGH, you get your pay
twice a month. Even stranger, the amount varies by hospital, so you never know from month to month
when or
exactly how much you'll be receiving. One resident told me, "don't worry man, it all works out." Not so sure that I or my family could be so sanguine about that. Stupid system.
o No
network of previous grads to grease the wheels post-residency. I don't think that it's going to be as much of an issue as one might think, given the reputations of both UCSF and Dr. Promes.
Positives
It's UCSF. Standout PD with a track record of building a good program. Faculty who are committed to excellence and are really, truly excited about building a phenomenal program in the Bay area. Good pay for singles and DINKs. Broad range of patient populations, from well-insured to "Yo, I'm just gonna drop my friend off. He fell on a knife" to Mauled By Tiger But I
Swear That I Wasn't Provoking Him.
Overall
New program with lots of energy, financial resources, and the ability to execute its plan of World Domination.
I think that the training is going to be excellent and that the graduates will prove to live up to the UCSF reputation. I don't think that this program is a great choice if you have a family with a stay-at-home spouse given the COL, but maybe I'm wrong. Despite the newness and the inevitable rough edges, I loved my interview and got a truly fantastic vibe from the people. The program is going to be one of my top choices, no doubt.
