Away Rotation. When? How? Where?

[barretdm]

I am looking to apply for an away rotation in PRS. I like the program at my school, but I am looking for other programs to gain perspective and hopefully letters of recommendation. People have recommended to do away rotations at programs with big names.

My questions are:

What are the big name programs that would be good for me to do an away rotation at?

What should I look at for selecting an away rotation?

How do I go about applying for an away rotation?

When are applications accepted for away rotations and what do they consist of (CV, grades, etc?)?

Thank you,
-Dan

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[Winged Scapula]

I am looking to apply for an away rotation in PRS. I like the program at my school, but I am looking for other programs to gain perspective and hopefully letters of recommendation. People have recommended to do away rotations at programs with big names.

My questions are:

What are the big name programs that would be good for me to do an away rotation at?

In no particular order, other than how they pop up in my head:

UTSW - Rod Rohrich is there; one of the more well-known and well connected academic plastic surgeons.

Baylor - Saleh Shenak; as above

Pitt - research heavy; old power program

Georgetown - lots of connections; esp. good for breast reconstruction (Spear) and hand (at Union)

Harvard - hey, you could be like Dr. 90120 and "train" there! 😉 Pribaz is internationally known (as many of the big names are)

Wash U (St. Louis) - Susan MacKinnon is well respected

Kleinert in Louisville for Hand

Hopkins - Manson; also good for breast and reconstruction

What should I look at for selecting an away rotation?

The same things you would look for in any rotation. You want good teaching, exposure to the OR as well as office, and whatever focus you want (ie, if you are interested in craniofacial, not everyplace does many). Perhaps a place which provides living arrangements, if possible.

How do I go about applying for an away rotation?

Most will have university web sites with information about visiting electives.

When are applications accepted for away rotations and what do they consist of (CV, grades, etc?)?

Thank you,
-Dan

Hmmm...I don't recall being asked for grades - maybe my Step 1 and a CV, but in general it was like any other application for a visiting clerkship. Check out http://www.plasticseducation.com for lots of information regarding PRS.

 

[jaydoc07]

Like mentioned before, just look at the website of any given institution for instructions. One of my wanted a CV and LOR, and the other wanted nothing aside from the online app.

As for choosing programs, think about where you would want to go for 5-7 years. For most, rotating at a program gives him/her the best shot at matching there for obvious reasons. Other people look better on paper. I agree with previous poster on his recs of "good" programs, but there are way more than that, and at least a few in every region including west coast.

I think it is important to think about what you want in a program as well. There are some programs that provide opportunity for outstanding training that won't make most people's top ten list.

 

[maxheadroom]

Shenaq isn't at Baylor anymore. He was implicated in a big scam on brachial plexus reconstructions that weren't indicated.