Cushy PGY-1 Programs

[Cuts]

For those of us aiming for 2003 residencies that require separate PGY-1 years, I'd like to start a list here of the cushiest programs in the nation. I'll start with a few that I read about on Auntminnie...

Prelim - Greenwich,CT
"Stanford and Norwalk arent too bad."
St. Vincent's in Manhattan - both TY and Prelim
"NYC -- Cabrini - it's a total joke"
"Long Island - LIJ, Northshore and Winthrop are good"
"Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philly has a really nice transitional year"
"St. Barnabas (NJ) offers a pretty good trans year"

Any contributions would be appreciated.

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[gassman]

Birmingham, AL--- Baptist Medical Centers. Good perks. Good upper level residents. Solid.

 

[ApacheIndian]

All of you that Matched this year, please expound on your experiences/opinions of the various PGY-1 programs you encountered.

 

[gel1]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Dr_Cuts:
•All of you that Matched this year, please expound on your experiences/opinions of the various PGY-1 programs you encountered.•••••Cuts, you don't have to re-register to change your display name. This is confusing and you lose your post count. Why not just go into your profile and change the display name whenever you want it to say something new? That way your member number and sig and everything else can stay the same. Just a suggestion.

 

[Voxel]

What area of the country are you looking at? Are you looking at transitional year programs or just prelim medicine? I've been on the interview trail in the NE for prelim and transitional programs. Are you looking for anything more than cush in a prelim programs, learning experience, location, etc?

 

[ApacheIndian]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by gel1:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by Dr_Cuts:
•All of you that Matched this year, please expound on your experiences/opinions of the various PGY-1 programs you encountered.•••••Cuts, you don't have to re-register to change your display name. This is confusing and you lose your post count. Why not just go into your profile and change the display name whenever you want it to say something new? That way your member number and sig and everything else can stay the same. Just a suggestion.•••••I changed the e-mail address for my "Cuts" sn to another account of mine. SDN then sent me a new password to that address to confirm it. The problem is that that other account is an encrypted one, and I was unable to decipher the content (i.e. the new password) of that e-mail. So, I no longer have the [new] password required to log in as "Cuts." Hence, I (unfortunately) was forced to re-register as "Dr_Cuts." If any SDN moderator or administrator reads this, I'd appreciate it if you could send me the new password for my original "Cuts" account to another (a 3rd) e-mail address... [email protected]. Thanks.

 

[EYEBOY]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Voxel:
•What area of the country are you looking at? Are you looking at transitional year programs or just prelim medicine? I've been on the interview trail in the NE for prelim and transitional programs. Are you looking for anything more than cush in a prelim programs, learning experience, location, etc?•••••Hey Voxel,

I am applying for Ophtho this coming year and am wondering if you came across prelim medicine and/or transitional programs that were good teaching programs as well as non-malignant. I am looking in the following cities - Boston, Phily, Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Thanks - EYEBOY

 

[ApacheIndian]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Voxel:
•What area of the country are you looking at? Are you looking at transitional year programs or just prelim medicine? I've been on the interview trail in the NE for prelim and transitional programs. Are you looking for anything more than cush in a prelim programs, learning experience, location, etc?•••••I too am interested in programs in the Northeast, primarily New York b/c of their 24-hour laws (although I'm not sure to what degree these are adhered to). I'm leaning more towards TYs, but I guess I'd consider some of the less demanding Prelim medicine programs too (I don't even want to THINK about Prelim Surg). To be quite honest, I just don't think practicing "medicine" in the traditional sense is for me, that's why I'm going for Rads or Anesthesia, and that's also why I'd like to make my PGY-1 as painless as possible. Your input would be invaluble. Thanks in advance.

By the way, you Matched Rads this year right?

 

[ApacheIndian]

BUMP for Voxel's input...

 

[mustafalop]

anymore ideas of good programs to take a look at for transitional years on the East Coast and Midwest

thanks a lot

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I agree with Albert Einstein in philly being a really nice place for transitional. A couple midwest programs that are really nice are St. Lukes and St. Josephs in Milwaukee.

 

[Voxel]

Here's a few in the northeast. Christiana care in Delaware (50 min south of phila, the transitional year not prelim med), prelim med @beth israel (nyc), cabrini (nyc), lenox hill, st vincents transitional (nyc), Long island jewish, winthrop and north shore (long island, ny). Also heard about a program in virginia, but not sure as I did not interview there. Albert Einstein transitional in phila, a transitional in Abbington, Pa. Saint Barnabas transitional in NJ is ok as well.

 

[ApacheIndian]

Thanks Voxel and others for your input. I have one question... if one Matches with a PGY-1 year at Hospital X, can he then re-apply for a PGY-2 spot in Rads AT THAT SAME HOSPITAL in the fall of that PGY-1 year, or, are all of the PGY-2 positions there filled a year in advance? (i know it'a run-on :wink:

 

[Voxel]

One applies to match PGY-1 and PGY-2 advanced during the same year. So during match day you will find out where you matched pgy-1 and pgy-2. This assumes that you are not applying to fields which do not require pgy-1 years and are just straight shots like medicine or general surgery. I hope that answers your question.

 

[ApacheIndian]

Here's my situation: I'm a Caribbean med stud (competitive among Caribbean studs I suppose), so I'd say I have 2 chances to Match Rads next year: slim and none. Rads is BY FAR my #1 choice, with Anesthesia being a distant 2nd. So, I'm planning to rank PGY-1 spots and ONLY PGY-2 Rads spots. This is my logic: if I succeed in Matching at a decent PGY-1 program, but don't Match Rads, at least I can use the first half of that PGY-1 year to work hard and make some good contacts at that program, in the hopes of re-applying for a Rads PGY-2 spot at THAT SAME HOSPITAL (with the contacts now on my side) in the fall of my internship. Does that make sense? My question is... will there be any Rads 2004 PGY-2 spots available then (fall 2003), or will they all have been filled in advance (spring 2003)? Thanks a lot!

 

[DuneHog]

Almost all (99%) of PGY-2 radiology positions starting in 2003 filled this last year in the match. This situation will likely be similar again next year. This means that if you apply to a PGY-1 prelim slot to begin in 2003, you will have an extremely difficult time finding a radiology spot that starts the next year if you are trying to apply through the match during your prelim year. That said, it is not unheard of for students to make arrangements with program directors outside of the match. I would worry about the strategy you are proposing for two reasons: 1) It will be very unlikely that any positions will be available to start the next year at one hospital, and 2) As an intern, I think you will be so busy doing scut for your own attending and residents that you will have a very hard time meeting and impressing the radiology PD. I think that your best bet if you don't match the first time around would be to try and do a year of radiology research or something and then try again. Also, as an FMG you have the advantage of not being bound by the rules of the NRMP that require you to go through the match. So if you have any contacts with rads PD, you can try to obtain a position outside the match. Good luck.

 

[ApacheIndian]

Good info. I've always considered doing a research year instead of my internship in the hopes of upping my chances for Rads, but I'm hesitant at the thought of "losing a year." Thanks for the input.

Incidentally, nowadays the "politically correct :wink: " term for a graduate that completed medical school outside of the U.S. is "IMG" (as oppposed to FMG)... for the simple reason that many of these graduates are actually Americans that went to medical school outside of the country (like myself) and not "foreign" per se, but rather "international." O.k., I feel better now that I got that off my chest lol...

 

[ApacheIndian]

Back to the IMPORTANT :wink: issue... any more ultra-Cush PGY-1 programs anyone?

 

[mpp]

I think in that first post you meant Stamford and not Stanford.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

If you're willing to go to Arizona, Tucson Hospitals Medical Education Program was probably the cushest first year I saw last year. Prelim medicine at St Josephs in Pheonix was better than most transitionals in terms of hours.

 

[tommassieblue]

Hey EyeBoy

Look into Oakwood Hospital for transitional right outside Detroit.

For the person that mentioned Christiana in Delaware, can you give details about that place? I was considering that place at one time. Thanks!

 

[ApacheIndian]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by mpp:
•I think in that first post you meant Stamford and not Stanford.••••• you're probably right... I copied that off of another board... quite a typo huh!? Just think I'd have been responsible for sending some lazy bum off to StaNford thinking he's gonna have it easy lol...

 

[Voxel]

Christiana Care in Delaware: I think they have a web site. Do a <a href="http://www.google.com" target="_blank">www.google.com</a> search for it. As I vaguely remember there are 13- 4 week blocks.

Inpatient requirements- 2 blocks general medicine, 1 month family medicine, 3 blocks inpatient selectives (family, peds, obgyn, or medicine, one of which WILL BE MICU as all transitionals last year were "asked" to do a MICU block).
1 block ER, 1 block Outpatient Medicine/Peds Clinic, 4 blocks electives, 1 block vacation.

On the general medicine inpatient there is night float M-F and it is listed as averaging Q6 (until 9PM, night float takes call/covers floor until the next morning). Yes, I said Q6. However I think one does saturday and sunday as 24 hour overnight calls, leave post call by noon. I vague remember that the transitional residents said call on the inpatient general medicine could be q5 or q6 depending on the number of interns and residents.
On MICU, Family, OB/Gyn, Peds, Hematology, CCU call is q4 overnight leave post call by noon.
Also, during the electives months for ONLY transitional year, but not prelim medicine interns who had to cross-cover during all electives, last year you were not required to take any call to cross-cover the floors. This however was in a state of flux and if you interview there next year, definitely ask about this. This makes a huge difference in the quality of life, especially if you plan on taking outpatient/lighter rotations during your elective time and want to enjoy your time away from the hospital. If you are on an inpatient service as an elective block, I doubt they would make one cross-cover.

 

[Pinky]

2 programs in chicago stick out in my mind. Both on the north side.

At one, you admit patients, write the H&P, and put in the initial orders. Once the private attending comes in the next morning, he takes over and you are done with that patient.

At the other hospital, I believe there is no overnight call.

Each hospital is full of optho, rads, and derm residents looking to fulfill their pgy-1 requirement without breaking a sweat.

 

[ApacheIndian]

Pinky... OH MY GOD give me names of these programs!

 

[nodiggity]

Top 5 cushiest transitional years in PA & NJ, #1 being the cushiest...

1) Albert Einstein, Philly PA
2) Lehigh Valley Hosp, Allentown PA
3) Atlantic Health Syst, Morristown NJ
4) York Hospital, York PA
5) Presbyterian Hosp of UPenn, Philly PA

 

[Pinky]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Dr_Cuts:
•Pinky... OH MY GOD give me names of these programs!•••••<img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

I thought you'd enjoy the suspense. I'll preface my comments by saying that this info is just what I've heard from people who are going to these programs in June. They're not there yet.

Swedish Covenant - Program with the H&Ps. I also heard that the residents spend much of their time playing playstation in the resident lounge.

Weiss - No overnight call.

I don't know how true these statements are.

I've also heard that West Suburban and McNeil are highly sought after transitional programs.

Evanston Hospital while not neccessarily cush isn't too taxing.

 

[ApacheIndian]

Hmmm... #1 and #2 on my ROL maybe :wink: ? Thanks Pinky... great contribution!

 

[halothane]

Hey cuts, actually your strategy to get rads is pretty good. Well I have a senior who exactly had the same strategy but now is in U penn Anesthesia. Well that year there were some spots unfilled in good programs in anesthesia. You might have to think about only ranking radio. lest god forbid if you do not get radio. and do not fill up ost match u should not be left in a situation where even the good anesthesia programs fill up . Actually this was my strategy for getting a very good anesthesia programs but as the interview process proceeded I got very impatient and tired especially as getting a good prelim seemed a little complicated( it sucks to have to interview for both PGY1 and 2) so I went in for prematch at U Miami with all four years (PGY 1 in med). Prelim positions that I liked....Jersey Shore Med. Center, Alton Oschner New Orleans, Lutheran General Chicago and U Illinois Urbana Champaign, Staten Island Univ. Hospital. Well still waiting for what you want would be woth it if you can take the risk.

 

[EYEBOY]

Hey nodiggity,

Do you know if Presbyterian Hospital of UPENN has info on the web????

 

[Voxel]

I would not call Albert Einstein's transitional year in phila cushy. I have a friend who is doing it. Yes you do get 4 months of electives and 1 month of vacation. However, the other months can be hellish and you do TONS of scut. However if you must be in phila it is top notch. Another thing to consider is that the commute from center city philadelphia to Albert Einstein(philly) is nearly the same as the commute to Christiana Care in Wilmington, DE. And in Christiana Care there is MUCH less scut, in fact almost non outside of ICU/CCU/Hematology floors. As a transitional you will be "asked" to do MICU, but the general medicine floors are fairly cush and the nurses do everything (well almost everything except central lines). I'd take Christiana Care over Albert Einstein any day and commute from center city phila. It was on my rank list fairly high, but I wanted to be in NYC and matched there. I ranked christiana care above albert einstein(phila). Matching at Christiana Care's Transitional is no piece of cake. Last year it was 2 from Penn (1 Rads and 1 Rad Onc), one Hopkins (1 Rad Onc), and one RWJ (1 Rads).

 

[Careofme]

Is it true that a lot of TYPs are both ACGME & AOA approved? I have been noticing this and just wanted to make sure I was making a correct generalization.

If they are approved by both, then this would probably be the best way for a DO to go if he/she wishes to keep AOA happy while doing an Allopathic residency, right?

People usually match for their post-TYP program at the same time that they get their TYP (and some dont), right?

Thanks, (right? :wink: )

Careofme

 

[ApacheIndian]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by halothane:
•I went in for prematch at U Miami with all four years (PGY 1 in med.•••••Bro, I was just down in South Beach with some friends a couple months ago and let me tell you... what I saw was quite an incentive to rank ANYTHING in Miami high ;O! We also checked out the U of Miami area and it looked damn impressive. I'm definitely sending appys for Anesthesia there and Rads for there and Mt. Sinai (what a fantastic location!). Congrats on your spot there and enjoy (after your 1st year of course :wink: )!

 

[ApacheIndian]

Back to business: More Cushy PGY-1 programs needed... Thanks.

 

[Ratty]

In Chicago (all are transitional):

-Swedish Covenant: picking up patients is optional, but you have to take call q6 the entire year
-Weiss: call ends at 9 pm when night float starts
-St. Francis: 6 months of electives
-IL Masonic: 7 months of no call, no weekends
-MacNeal: 5 months of electives

 

[ApacheIndian]

Excellent info... thanks Ratty!

 

[ApacheIndian]

Bump for more opinions...

 

[Treybird]

What are prelim and transitional programs? Are they necessary? Do they count towards your PGY-1 or are they pre-PGY-1? If so, what's the point of doing one?

TB

 

[ApacheIndian]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Treybird:
•What are prelim and transitional programs? Are they necessary? Do they count towards your PGY-1 or are they pre-PGY-1? If so, what's the point of doing one?

TB•••••The generic term "internship" encompasses 3 seperate first year (i.e. PGY-1) programs: prelim medicine, prelim surgery, and transitional year. If one is going for an Internal Medcine residency, he must complete a prelim med year as his first year. If one is going a Surgical residency, he must complete a prelim surg year as his first year. Then, there are many other specialities which require you to complete a PGY-1 (either prelim med, prelim surg, or TY) before moving on to their speciality-specific training years (i.e. PGY-2 onwards)... for example Radiology, Anesthesia, and PM&R. Hope that helps.