Baltimore and DC Programs???

[dstMD]

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Hi all,
even though i've been visiting this forum for a while this is my first post. I was just wondering if anyone has any info or opinions on Sinai Hospital of Baltimore's Program or Franklin Square? I reall liked Sinai when I interviewed there and am thinking of ranking it high, but I'm torn because it is a community program. While I'm not sure if I want to do a fellowship, it seems that if you go to a community program you are automatically shutting the door on fellowship opportunties.

Also, did anyone interview at Georgetown? I would like to get your opinions of the program and interview day. I liked it, but I hear rumors about financial trouble. Anyone else hear that? I was also kinda concerned that we were only able to interview with one person 1 on 1 on interview day. Oh well.

 

[Diane L. Evans]

What I said earlier about Baltimore being expensive is true. I lived in the vicinity.. Please this is my personal experience and this forum is to share that.. No terrorist threating ok!

Franklin square loved the faculty. In hindsight I may have chosen here!!!!!!!! got hugs from everyone when I left and my favorite doc is transferring there!!!!! Bonus has a night float. The program director is awsome a real advocate for the residents. Downside small program. I think still 4/yr but they had the potenetial to expand. This may have been the ONLY reason besides not being able to afford a new home and private schools for 2 kids that I did not go there. Loved the OR's. The surgical volume great... staff is awesome really help out the residents. A real family feel from my experiences and my interview. Plus nice parking, cafeteria, and many perks. They were talking about getting a new REI faculty in 2003 as I recall as this is the only weak link in the program I saw. No one had problems finding jobs applying to fellowships I was told. computer charting I believe. Residents seemed very relaxed.

Sinai- Loved the faculty. Good Onc volume. Older facilties I think were being remodeled if I remember correctly. I know IM has a Hopkins-Sinai name to it I don't think the Ob/Gyn program does. Anyway good didatics. A big hospital c large ER and IM services I thought those were huge perks as you got good off service rotation training. Parking is kind of a pain but available the cafeteria is great. Lots of good perks. Call rooms not as nice as Franklin square. L&D was also smaller in 2002-3 (unless they too remodeled I don't know). But I recall 3 L&D OR's. and I think 7-8 L&D rooms The main OR's were nice. I think still paper charting...I took this into consideration I think it makes a big difference. Residents seemed more stressed but I had more time to observe rather than dinner and an interview so in all fairness I think this is just residency in general.

As far as Georgetown I can't comment I didn't go there I met some of the attendings who seemed nice and the residents at conferences.

I hope this helps it would be hard for me to choose between the top 2 I mentioned as well. Good luck!
My comments only!!!!!
Diane

 

[Global Disrobal]

I can't comment much on the Baltimore programs, other than the fact the Franklin Square residents rotate with us for Urogyn sometimes, and from my interactions have been a great bunch, well read and trained. The program is a small one, but you should come out well trained.

Georgetown is not in "crisis." Eversince the Medstar purchase alot of re-structuring has taken place (i.e. movement of Cards to Washington Hospital Center, merging of most resideny programs at both insitutions). The Ob department has a good core of MFM's and sees interesting high risk cases. On the uncomplicated side, their deliveries have continued to go down, resulting in the need to get the Ob experience at surrounding institutions (much like GWU). Gyn Onco/Urogyn is not as busy as competing programs in the city, but overall you do get a very solid training there as a resident.

As for your comment regarding "the door to fellowships closing," it is not true. First of all, what fellowship are you thinking of? As I have posted before, REI definitely requires a bigger name, lots of networking, and research. Gyn Onc and Uro Gyn are still highly dependent on who you know and who can vouch for you. There are many "community" programs that have big names in Onc or Urogyn and undoubtedly will get you the right "hook ups" for fellowship. MFM is less competetive than the other 3 and matching is not hard, unless you are shooting for the upper tier programs in which case the above will again apply.

Choose the program you fit in best with, as you can make the most of any situation and going to a big name is in no way a guarantee into fellowship especially at the home institution.

Good Luck!

 

[coolbabe76]

could you give any examples of good community progs in mid atlantic which could still churn out good competitors for fellowships in onc and urogyn?

thanks ,...global disrobal ,,you have been a great help...

 

[Global Disrobal]

I can only comment on states that I am familiar with, and always do keep in mind that no matter where you go, you can get into a fellowship with some killer clinical projects and letters. Doing a respectable retrospective study in Onco will look good in the eyes of the PD's.

In MD, Sinai is a good choice. In DC, the Washington Hospital Center. In FL, Orlando Regional/Bayfront are solid ones. Pensacola is a good program as well but as far as I can recall they have not had a fellow recently (the atmosphere of that program is one of generalist coming out).