Baylor

[medstud2012]

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What do people think of BCM's program? It's in a great location, medical center wise. do the residents there seem happy on interview?

 

[medstud2012]

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[fiji128]

This isn't first hand information but I think Baylor been having some issues. From what I understand the Methodist program was part of Baylor but for what ever reason Methodist decided to break off of Baylor and start its own program effectively cutting the number of cases seen by Baylor residents in half. If your into Houston I would also recommended looking at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. I interviewed there and maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the residency is spent at Houston hospitals including 10 months at MD Anderson. Also the attendings there were very nice and approachable.

 

[drowsy12]

really, UTMB residents spend time at MDACC? is that something that is part of their program, officially?

 

[fiji128]

I interviewed there this cycle and they made it pretty clear that 10 months are spent at MD Anderson. They said this was relatively easy to set up between the two institution after the hurricane because both institutions are part of the University of Texas system. They also said this is not temporary situation and there are no plans to change this arrangement.

 

[drowsy12]

wow thats a major coup for utmb. I dont know if bcm has any months at mdacc. anyone know anything about the methodist program? nice rich hospital but wonder how it will be for a few years, may take time to develop

 

[Freight Train]

Wow, amazing how much speculation can go around on a thread. I wouldn't believe all of it.

I'm starting at Baylor this summer, and there are definitely changes happening (new PD a few months ago, methodist starting their own program, etc.). Prog. was on probation a couple years back, but not an issue now. To clarify a few things, BCM uses ben taub, VA, and St. Lukes/private as main teaching sites. We still have Methodist for Peds, and we do brachy at MDACC. So we get everything we need at TMC- no outside rotations. Like a lot of programs out there, you get out what you put in. Plenty of opportunity for didactics (MDACC conferences if u want, and study groups with MDA residents), diverse technology (several teaching sites as listed above- and it is the TMC!), research if you want, etc. Seems like it will be high volume and high independence (in contrast to MDA). So it all depends on what you're looking for in a program.

As far as the others, I think Methodist will be great. We'll just have to wait and see. UTMB I'm not sure about. I was rotating at MDACC a year ago and they did have a UTMB resident there. Seems like they were shipped all over TX after the hurricane destroyed their hospital- nomads if you will. But, the plan is to build a new hospital (may be done already), so don't anticipate UTMB rotating at MDA or any other TX sites long term.

IMO- ranking the TX programs best>least. MDACC, UTSW, UTSA=BCM, Methodist, UTMB. Of course, that depends on what you're looking for (research, academics, private practice, better didactics vs more independence, location, etc.) Hope that helps.

 

[Island Rad]

Wow, amazing how much speculation can go around on a thread. I wouldn't believe all of it.

I'm starting at Baylor this summer, and there are definitely changes happening (new PD a few months ago, methodist starting their own program, etc.). Prog. was on probation a couple years back, but not an issue now. To clarify a few things, BCM uses ben taub, VA, and St. Lukes/private as main teaching sites. We still have Methodist for Peds, and we do brachy at MDACC. So we get everything we need at TMC- no outside rotations. Like a lot of programs out there, you get out what you put in. Plenty of opportunity for didactics (MDACC conferences if u want, and study groups with MDA residents), diverse technology (several teaching sites as listed above- and it is the TMC!), research if you want, etc. Seems like it will be high volume and high independence (in contrast to MDA). So it all depends on what you're looking for in a program.

As far as the others, I think Methodist will be great. We'll just have to wait and see. UTMB I'm not sure about. I was rotating at MDACC a year ago and they did have a UTMB resident there. Seems like they were shipped all over TX after the hurricane destroyed their hospital- nomads if you will. But, the plan is to build a new hospital (may be done already), so don't anticipate UTMB rotating at MDA or any other TX sites long term.

IMO- ranking the TX programs best>least. MDACC, UTSW, UTSA=BCM, Methodist, UTMB. Of course, that depends on what you're looking for (research, academics, private practice, better didactics vs more independence, location, etc.) Hope that helps.

Different voice on discussion above from resident with a few years in/around Houston area:

UTMB Galveston is treating patients on the island hospital (John Sealy,not new hospital as mentioned above but very new/remodeled department on 1st floor) currently with one Trilogy unit and second unit being ready for use late May and early June. Residents have the opportunity to rotate at private hospitals in Houston as part of their training, typically 1 yr is spent at one of two private hospitals in Houston and is a great training experience if one is considering private practice.

In reply to the response above, YES there is a formal relationship between UTMB and MDACC. Residents do spend 10 consecutive months at MDACC and is this not a short term agreement as per UTMB leadership. Residents from UTMB are allowed to go through 4 1/2 rotations, each eight week rotations, at MDACC and are treated very well by MDACC residents and staff---not treated as outsiders. The residents and staff at MDACC are great and so hospitable!! It is a wonderful experience and provides additional opportunities for research, proton therapy cases, gamma knife cases and didactic learning. UTMB residents are expected to give planning clinic lectures in the same cycle as MDACC residents. UTMB rotating residents are allowed to participate in MDACC short-course week long courses in physics and radiobiology and are included in mock orals with senior faculty at MDACC--which are a must for educational value and measuring your level/prep for actual exam. For a smaller program, the opportunities provided by this relationship are Amazing.

As to other Houston programs, I do not wish to speak when I know so little from direct experience. Houston is great city and radiation oncology is a great specialty---any combination of the programs discussed in this thread and you will come out a winner! I would disagree with the ranking of the Texas programs, because the opportunities at UTMB are not bottom tier, with recent chief residents graduating to great attending jobs at MDACC, Moffit and strong private jobs in Woodlands/Conroe and midwest. You would be hard pressed to find attending physicians/leadership more supportive of travel to meeting, reimburse fully when you present projects/abstracts at meetings, without limit. Remember: No program is perfect and residency isn't always fun/on your terms.

IF we are the bottom of the line in Texas radiation oncology programs, then medical students place Texas on your radar as their are great options to sift throught. (disclosure-not originally from Texas and do not subscribe to "Bigger/Better in Texas")