Columbia vs. Mt. Sinai

[spme]

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Any help would help.
Geographically, no difference.
Can you help me differentiate those 2 programs (w/ regards to inpatient, outpatient, research opportunity, and fellowship options)?
Thank you!

 

[jjwallace]

Although I am not affiliated with either: Columbia.

A recent site review by ACGME of Mt Sinai granted them the worst accreditation cycle- only one year. It's a red flag for deficiencies in the education and residency program.

Columbia has a solid 4 year accreditation cycle.

Interviews were too long ago for me to remember but I do remember Columbia great apts.

 

[Taus]

Although I am not affiliated with either: Columbia.

A recent site review by ACGME of Mt Sinai granted them the worst accreditation cycle- only one year. It's a red flag for deficiencies in the education and residency program.

Columbia has a solid 4 year accreditation cycle.

Interviews were too long ago for me to remember but I do remember Columbia great apts.

Columbia's subsidized housing is sweeeeet, especially for that area of NYC.

 

[MSKmonky]

Hey SPME,

So you really won't go wrong with either program. I deem them the top two programs in NYC. Both have great well rounded experiences. I have spoken about Mt. Sinai before on previous posts, but I'll summarize.

Model TBI and Model SCI floors - we really do get a full experience in these aspects of PMR. Perhaps the only program in NYC that has both model systems. Inpatient months are tough, don't get me wrong. But you'll come out of residency feeling that much more confident. (besides, youre supposed to sweat in residency).

MSK/Sports - Our program director runs a busy clinic where we get tons of experience. In addition to this, he often takes us to sporting events to be part of the medical team. I just went to one recently. Awesome experience being ringside at a fight!! We get great MSK didactics at Elmhurst (Weissmen and Bressler). Also do a lot of musculoskeletal at the VA in the bronx (had 4 full months of it recently.. and I'm a pgy-2).

Pain - Hired new pain docs recently. There is an option to take you into the flouro Suite at the VA. You definitely get flouro experience in the MSK sports/spine clinic. Other than that, these fresh new Pain grads teach well.

Residents - We all get along and do often go out. One of our visiting residents from Monti just complimented us today on how close we all are. Have gone out after work with PTs and OTs as well as nurses.

Fellowships - I know the this year we have 3 people going into Pain fellowships and 1 going into a Sports/Spine fellowship. Don't knwo what the rest are doing.. some have found jobs.

Housing - Cornell housing is nice, I will definitely agree. Our housing is good to though. May not look as new, but I currently live in a 590 square foot studio (thats a pretty big studio... big enough that I converted it into a one bedroom). I pay less than some of my cornell counterparts but I'd say the rent is about equal.

Location: Right near the 6-train... convenient!!!


SPME, you won't go wrong with either choice. I ranked Sinai first and Cornell second. They were evenly matched but I choose Sinai over it from the positive experience I had as a medical student rotating through. I do not regret my decision.

There has been a lot of focused attacks on Sinai on these forums. Take them all with a grain of salt. People often like to attack those that are seemingly on a higher playing field or share a higher playing field. (at least amongst NY programs).

PM me if you have specific questions.

 

[MSKmonky]

Forgot to mention the 2 blocks of elective time we have in our PGY-4 year for us to use as we wish as long as we use it in an academic manner (doing auditions at private practices/fellowships, research, more EMGs). I believe some people have gone abroad in the past.

This one year accred thing is temporary. A temporary setback that was fueled by a disgruntled resident from the past. Sinai is every bit as strong as it was before we heard this news. Why, even Cornell Medicine (I'm talking medicine, folks) ran into accredidation problems recently.... I'd still call them a top-notch medicine program. And they'll bounce back.

 

[MSKGUY]

I transferred to Sinai from a top ranked program (in another state) and the perception and reputation of Mount Sinai held by the residents and faculty from where I came, was extremely high and well respected. I in fact was encouraged to look at Mt. Sinai by faculty prior to my transfer. I feel I am getting a great education here, with great lectures and happy residents. We have plenty of opportunity to get involved in research if you choose or pursue a fellowship. In short, great education with plenty of opps when you graduate.

 

[Rehab]

Mt. Sinai's rehab program is amongst the best and has a reputation of producing quality physiatrists. This is evidenced by its long list of prominent graduates. Among them:

Ross D. Zafonte, DO, Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Steven Flanagan, MD Chairman of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Steven Kirshblum, M.D. Medical Director, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Director of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Program, Program Director of Spinal Cord Medicine Fellowship and Director of the Associate Residency Training Program,

Robert Gotlin DO Director of Orthopedic and Sports Rehabilitation Beth Israel Medical Center, Director of Sports and Spine Rehabiliation Fellowship Program

Adrian Cristian, MD Chief of Rehabiliation Medicine, Bronx VA

Marc Ross, MD Medical Director of Kingsbrook Rehabiliation Institute

Adam Stein, MD Chairman Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Long Island Jewish Medical Center (Graduate of NYU but former residency program director at Mt. Sinai)

We are also the only NY program that has rotating residents from 4 other residency programs. Due to our model TBI and SCI systems, we have exposure to patient populations that most programs lack.

In addition, our graduates have always obtained fellowships of their choice.

Whether you decide to go with Sinai or Cornell, you will receive a good education. Sinai will give you a well rounded experience with a great goup of residents and an awesome program director.

 

[rehabdocmd]

People often like to attack those that are seemingly on a higher playing field or share a higher playing field. (at least amongst NY programs). PM me if you have specific questions.

The ACGME doesn't put anyone on a "lower" or "higher" playing field but makes citations and recommendations based on substantiated deficiencies in your program. I dont think anyone from "other" NY programs is trying to attack you by pointing out your ACGME review. A one year accreditation is significant for substantial citations. If you recently had a site review it was based on their assesment.

For the record, NYP PM&R program has never had accreditation problems and has always had excellent accreditation renewals/reviews.

 

[MSKmonky]

hey now.. just showing pride and support for my own.

But I was hoping more NYP residents would talk more about their program. I'd like to give them some support to be fair. It was said before, but I'd like to reiterate that there housing is great. Probably the best value I've seen in NYC. In addition, they have a robust Peds Rehabilitation program so if that is your interest then definitely consider NYP. Hospital for Special Surgery is affiliated with their program so I'm sure they get some great experience over there (not sure of specifics).