Case vs. Mayo....Anyone want to give input?

[shanaa]

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Which do you think is a better program? Clearly, all programs have different strengths and weaknesses...Just worried about mayo being a newer program. Thanks

 

[FoughtFyr]

Which do you think is a better program? Clearly, all programs have different strengths and weaknesses...Just worried about mayo being a newer program. Thanks

Can I ask what your worry is about Mayo being a "newer" program? Our graduates have found jobs everywhere they have looked. Everyone of our seniors was able to essentially "call their shot" in the job hunt last year (and in the past as well I am told). These included folks looking at community programs, academic programs and urban centers. They ranged from Seattle to Jacksonville in location.

As for fellowship, I have already begun looking for the academic year starting in 2007 (I'm anal, I know). My inquiries have been well received everywhere. Current fellows include medical research at McMaster (after a Critical Care year here), Critical Care at Harvard, and EMS in Scottsdale (next year).

As for how we fit into the institution, the off-service rotations are incredible. All of Mayo is dedicated to the "Three Shields" of patient care, research, and medical education. This is not a "lip service" motto but a real working ethos of the institution. Every program actively learns from each other, and we enjoy a good reputation among our fellow residents.

Research is also well supported and the Emergency Department is cranking out a ton of it. As an intern I taught a class at the BTLS International Conference, first authored two papers (one peer reviewed internet journal and one in J tox) and two abstracts (presented at NAACT, travel paid for by the department) and wrote three textbook chapters. This year, I slowed down a little (new baby and all) but I will have three more first author papers and two abstracts and have served as a reviewer for a textbook by the end of this year.

As for the "infrastructure" of the residency - Mayo has more than 1500 residents and fellows. So there is always something to do with the Mayo Fellows Association. As an example, once an academic quarter the MFA rents out the local Cineplex, caters in dinner, and you see any movie you want on their dime. And the Mayo Alumni Association, while not so big in EM yet, is HUGE within medicine in general, and there really is no difference between specialties. I know that any of last year's graduates who sought help from the Mayo Alumni Association got the interviews they were looking for.

Mayo has a great patient base, a good number of annual visits (85-90K - fast enough to never be bored, but slow enough to learn) with more than 1000 level 1 and 2 traumas annually. We have all of the support we need, inside the department and out, and have clearly defined roles within the institution. Our helicopter program is incredible, with lots of scene flights and unstable transfers (including a STEMI protocol that has reduced the door to balloon time for near-by EDs to less than 90 minutes using aeromed), and the department will support (both academically and financially) anything that will lend to your education, including rotations in Jacksonville or Scottsdale.

Now, I am not as familiar with Case, I will leave that up to MikeCWRU or others to describe, but it is certainly a very well respected program with lots of positives. But, for me, I felt Mayo was the "best fit". I ranked them #1 and would do so again in a heartbeat. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me or post here.

- H

 

[mikecwru]

Which do you think is a better program? Clearly, all programs have different strengths and weaknesses...Just worried about mayo being a newer program. Thanks

I've said it time and time again. You should rank your programs on:

1. your ability to live in that location for 3-4 years
2. more importantly, a spouse's ability to do so
3. how well you perceive yourself getting along with the residents

That being said, you can refer back to www.metrohealth.org/clinical/em/ for information about the program. We have a very laid back program, intensive research potential, level I peds, adullt, and regional burn center. We train at two distinct sites that will prepare you for any enviornment. We have integrated pediatrics, an intense integrated trauma experience. We have an ultrasound fellowship, research, fellowship, and recently added a dedicated tox rotation along with hiring a BC toxicologist (I think tox will be our next fellowshio). We are the backbone of medical direction for Cleveland EMS; we have one of the most phenomenal flight experiences in the country.

I think I am prepared for anything and can do as well or better than a graduate of any other EM program.

PM me for other questions.

mike

 

[corpsmanUP]

From an outsider's perspective, and one who interviewed at both programs, I don't believe you could ever go wrong with either. Check out the reviews I wrote on these programs on the completed interviews thread to see my opinion. I think it all depends on what you personally are looking for. Each has its own strengths that may fit your objectives better. I don't see how you could go wrong with a true up and comer PD like Annie Sadosty, or in the veteran Pennington. Cleveland Clinic seems a lot like Mayo, so you get to work with some incredible people on other services at either. I think it also depends on how you felt you fit in with the residents at both places. Just think back to your dinner the evening before with the residents and try to remember how they made you feel. I sat with both of the guys who replied in the posts above here when I had my pre-dinner and they both are good guys. They both sort of epitomize their program, so if you met them along the way, that should help you know what atmosphere you want to be in. If either of them showed up in my envelope (the program names...not the guys!! ) I would be a very lucky guy. But then again, there is not a program I am ranking from Texas to Minnesota that I don't pretty much think nearly the exact same thing about. Thats what sucks in this specialty.....so many great places. Things could be worse 😉

 

[Febrifuge]

FF said "infrastructure" and "ethos." If you'd met him, you'd know: Clearly, Mayo has some serious educational chops. 😀