Decisions, decisions: Christ, Vandy, UNC

[2008 EM Reviews]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello forum,

I'm trying to see if there is anything about these programs I have not thought of as I plan my rank list. Any thoughts from current residents, rotators, etc would be appreciated. I hope this thread is not too repetitious, I have read all previous threads regarding these programs using the search function.

I really loved all three when I interviewed, and each seems to provide outstanding training, so no concerns there. I would be happy living each place, as UNC has great proximity to beach/mountains, active social opportunities, college athletics; Nashville has the music scene and proximity to outdoor activies; and Chi-town would be a blast for its culture and big-city opportunities.

As such, none of these three would disappoint if I were lucky enough to match there. I'm just curious if anybody could help me with any pro/cons I might be missing having only spent time there during my interviews.

Much appreciated, in advance.

 

[ineedsleep]

I know there are some reviews of each of those places that you've probably seen. I did a rotation at Christ if you have any specific questions-just PM me.

The biggest con I can think of about that program is that they aren't in the city proper and if you want to live in the city there might be a bit of a commute. That and they only rotate at that hospital, so you don't get to experience different ways of doing things (and you don't have to deal with all new systems too). That being said it is one of my top choices, so there are a heck of a lot more pros(to many to list here and pretty much covered in the reviews).

 

[WilcoWorld]

I think that all 3 of the programs you listed would provide you with great training and future opportunities. You've got a tough decision, and that's a good problem to have.

I would agree that the commute is Christ's biggest downside. Advocate Christ Medical Center is technically located in Oak Lawn, but is only a few blocks south of the city limits. As such, it gets Chicago's south side trauma, which is where most of the city's penetrating trauma occurs. I live just southwest of the Loop & my commute to Christ is about 25 minutes away by car (I bike when weather permits) unless it's for an afternoon shift, in which case it can get a bit ugly. A number of the residents (especially those with family) live near the hospital & have a less than 10 minute commute. However, all of the Chicago programs are going to have their bad commutes. Every other program has multiple sites & thus if you live close to one site, you're going to have a long commute to your other sites. Personally, I think the one site model is better. Both models have their +'s & -'s, but with just one site you get to concentrate on learning EM during residency, rather than having to spend a lot of time learning systems that you may or may not use after residency.

As for the strong points, I could go on for way longer than I should. But, please allow me to mention a few highlights:

Patients - We have an extraordinarily busy ED with abnormally high acuity (thanks in large part to Trauma, an abundance of septic nursing home patients, and the south side's amazingly poor cardiovascular health). You're allowed to see the sickest patients from day 1, and noone's going to steal your procedures.

Leadership - Bob Harwood is an amazing PD. He was named AAEM's PD of the year last year, has been at this for as long as or longer than just about anyone else in the Biz, and he is completely dedicated to his residents.

Research - Our research activity has really taken off in recent years, and seems to be accelerating. Christ EM residents / faculty had 36 presentations at EM conferences & 10 publications in 2007 alone. These include research in areas such as simulation, infectious disease/MRSA, pediatrics, ultrasonography/echocardiography, and sepsis/EGDT. Erik Kulstad is our RD & is always willing to help you with every step of the research process.

Most of all, I chose Christ for the camaraderie. We are a team & that's how we interact. If you liked the feeling that you got on interview day & you think you'd like to live in Chicago (you're a brave soul to make such a decision in February) then you will be happy you picked ACMC. We are certainly not for everyone, however, so if your gut (not your classmates, not your adviser, not scutwork.com, but your GUT) is steering you elsewhere then you should make your rank list accordingly.

Best wishes - feel free to PM me

 

[deleted52758]

wow, that sounds like either used car salesman or a chief resident. 🙂

hope you're doing well, wilco.

I think that all 3 of the programs you listed would provide you with great training and future opportunities. You've got a tough decision, and that's a good problem to have.

I would agree that the commute is Christ's biggest downside. Advocate Christ Medical Center is technically located in Oak Lawn, but is only a few blocks south of the city limits. As such, it gets Chicago's south side trauma, which is where most of the city's penetrating trauma occurs. I live just southwest of the Loop & my commute to Christ is about 25 minutes away by car (I bike when weather permits) unless it's for an afternoon shift, in which case it can get a bit ugly. A number of the residents (especially those with family) live near the hospital & have a less than 10 minute commute. However, all of the Chicago programs are going to have their bad commutes. Every other program has multiple sites & thus if you live close to one site, you're going to have a long commute to your other sites. Personally, I think the one site model is better. Both models have their +'s & -'s, but with just one site you get to concentrate on learning EM during residency, rather than having to spend a lot of time learning systems that you may or may not use after residency.

As for the strong points, I could go on for way longer than I should. But, please allow me to mention a few highlights:

Patients - We have an extraordinarily busy ED with abnormally high acuity (thanks in large part to Trauma, an abundance of septic nursing home patients, and the south side's amazingly poor cardiovascular health). You're allowed to see the sickest patients from day 1, and noone's going to steal your procedures.

Leadership - Bob Harwood is an amazing PD. He was named AAEM's PD of the year last year, has been at this for as long as or longer than just about anyone else in the Biz, and he is completely dedicated to his residents.

Research - Our research activity has really taken off in recent years, and seems to be accelerating. Christ EM residents / faculty had 36 presentations at EM conferences & 10 publications in 2007 alone. These include research in areas such as simulation, infectious disease/MRSA, pediatrics, ultrasonography/echocardiography, and sepsis/EGDT. Erik Kulstad is our RD & is always willing to help you with every step of the research process.

Most of all, I chose Christ for the camaraderie. We are a team & that's how we interact. If you liked the feeling that you got on interview day & you think you'd like to live in Chicago (you're a brave soul to make such a decision in February) then you will be happy you picked ACMC. We are certainly not for everyone, however, so if your gut (not your classmates, not your adviser, not scutwork.com, but your GUT) is steering you elsewhere then you should make your rank list accordingly.

Best wishes - feel free to PM me

 

[WilcoWorld]

Zing!

Nice one Willy.

 

[windkessel]

I feel your pain. Those three places are in my top 6 and I can't decide how to place them. Each day my rank list seems to change, and each one of those has spent some time at numero uno. I'm just glad EM isn't early match, I think I'm gonna need everyday to finally decide. Its hard to think of weakness for any of them other than minor things like commute-time.