Any opinions on University of Cincinnati?

[TonyV]

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Can anyone give me an opinion on what they know of the reputation of University of Cincinnati?

I know the new chair is from Harvard and respected in the field and they have pretty good NIH funding.

Does anyone know what the chair is planning for the program? I noticed that they are a little short on attendings, but are starting to recriut more staff.

Is the call schedule and work schedule doable?? And has anyone spoken to the residents to see if they're happy??

 

[VentdependenT]

Positives: New PD from harvard med who knows new head of surgery department very well and wants to make big changes. He was interested in making the hospital lots of money and bolstering the strength of the department. He's bringing staff with him from Harvard will increase the teaching (in theory at least).He has the support and financial backing of the university. They are sinking lots of money into the institution as of late.
Residents are happy. Attendings are pretty cool. Nice atmosphere to work in. They listen to residents and institute change (just began a night float system per resident request). HUGE peds hospital (the biggest plus besides atmosphere).

Negatives: Pain management/blocks are weak here. No mention of how they would improve the situation. Neuro is a little weak as well. Only rotate at SICU which is only run by Surgeons. Quite a few USIMG's but they are good people. 15,000 operations a year which is on the smaller side. Vascular numbers were dropping as well but not problematic as of interview time. Cincinnatti is not the hub of the midwest in terms of entertainment.

 

[doc_strange2001]

I interviewed here as well. I think this program is really up and coming. The strongest and most attractive aspect of the program is by far the new chair Dr. Hurford who was recurited from MGH and is well known for authoring Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital Great book that im sure most of us will have or already do have. And he is a great guy. Really down to earth, really friendly, personalble. Needless to say it would really be an honor to work with him. The interview was on a Saturday so like Vent mentioned there were not much facualty around except for the interviewers. The new PD (Dr Lawerence) is a really nice guy has a great vision for the program. University is your standard county hospital. Level one trauma center. The residents seemed very happy. I met quite a few IMG. I would expect that this program will get a more competive in the next few years especially with the new chair. I did not rank them higher this year because i kind of feel like change is just begining things felt somewhat unstable right now. I dunno just that gut feeling i guess. But i think that once things really start to fall into place this program will be awesome. They may move higher on my list before its all said and done.

BTW: a couple a people have PMed me about SLU. I feel that SLU and U Cinn are neck and neck. Both have new chairs from Harvard. Though i think Dr. Hurford may be more well known (correct me if im wrong). Did anyone else feel this way? Does anyone know if SLU is a level 1 trauma center? When i was there I was told they were, but at Wash U I was told that Barnes-Jewish hospital was the only level 1 in town. Can anyone clairify?

 

[VentdependenT]

I felt the same way about SLU vs UCinn doc_strange. No doubt that SLU would be a great clinical experience, and yes, they are level 1. I was told that the trauma seen at SLU far surpasses what the see at WashU because of the location of the trauma center in relationship to the shady knife & gun club part of town.

 

[DireWolf]

I'm from the STL, and I've worked at both SLU and WashU. Both are considered Level I trauma centers. As Vent said, SLU sees all the GSW, etc. because of its location. WashU does see its fair share as well. I'm happy to hear that SLU is finally getting its act together. Their anesthesiology department was a joke when I worked at that hospital a couple years back. Selling the hospital to Tenet didn't help either. Overworked residents, poor teaching, attendings fleeing, and high failure rates on the boards. Hopefully the new chair will get things turned around in a hurry.

 

[doc_strange2001]

Yeah the residents there seem really happy. Alot of the seniors are IMG but CA1 class is esp strong. And the schedule is sweet. Although i dont think i remember them having CRNAs

 

[chicubs]

I'm familiar with SLU's program, as I have rotated through the department.

The new chairman, Dr. Comunale, was hired from BID and started last fall. He brought a CV anesthesiologist over to SLU with him, and has intentions of hiring more faculty. He has solid backing from the institution, commands quite a bit of respect from within the department, and has been a stablizing force.

The educational program, from what I have heard, has also been revamped, specifically the didactics, though it is still a work in progress. The simulator center is state of the art, and is utilized a fair amount.

The program director, Dr. Connors, is a real asset. He is one of the most enthusiastic PDs you will likely meet, and places a strong emphasis on boards prep. From what I know, they were near the national average for passing rate last year.

As for clinical experience, they do quite a bit of trauma, due to its location. Lots of GSW and stabbings, so don't expect to sleep a whole lot when on call. They have a solid Peds rotation, and Cardinal Glennon is a great hospital. They are still somewhat lacking in CV, and they are weaker in regional, although that is trying to be corrected with the possibility of a regional rotation at an outside hospital. Also, the OB experience is away from SLU. Decent Neuro. From what I understand, the SICU is in a state of flux, as anesthesia is attempting to making it a closed unit. There is not a whole lot of emphasis on research within the department, though this is another aspect the department has aspirations to improve upon.

Overall, I think that this is an up and coming program. Residents are fairly happy, though they may work a little harder than average (as with every program there are some that have more gripes than others), and there are quite a few IMGs. Dr. Comunale is trying to recruit more US grads, and takes an active role in the residency program.

Hope this helps those that are interested in SLU's program. Good luck to all.

 

[doc_strange2001]

yeah and weekends were made for Michelobe 👍

 

[VentdependenT]

Now that we are on the SLU tip, any of you St. Louis interviewers check out WashU. I'm sort of suprised that its so high on my rank list....thought that I'd like Chicago programs more. Anyhoots anyone else have a positive impression of it.

My biggest problem is that the folks there are fairly dry in the social department.