Diamond in the Rough

[GBFKicks]

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Short and sweet, I guess... what do you all think are some of the diamond in the rough residencies for peds? Maybe some up and comers that aren't constantly discussed as "top programs"...

 

[twilightdoc]

Short and sweet, I guess... what do you all think are some of the diamond in the rough residencies for peds? Maybe some up and comers that aren't constantly discussed as "top programs"...

I tell my advisees that looking at residencies is much like picking stocks- there are solid, proven programs and some others that are "undervalued" but of great quality or potential. I would look carefully at the "diamond in the rough" programs, though, and make sure that the programs have enough going for them that you would not be unhappy (with the location, the program's structure, your training, or the learning environment). Look carefully at their current house staff, particularly the PL-1 and PL-2 residents, since those are the people with whom you will be working closely for 1 or 2 years. But there are clearly some undervalued Peds programs where you would get good training which are not nearly as competitive in terms of the match as some of the bigger-name programs. Talking with your faculty advisor or with other members of the Peds department at your school might be helpful in putting this into perspective.

 

[bks524]

I will throw out Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. did not go there, nor did I interview, but I have known enough really bright people to go there that it has to be good

 

[shoofly]

Carolinas? Not so much, I interviewed there and not sure about caliber of residents..... questionable.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Akron and Louisville come to mind. Both medium sized programs with Children's Hospitals in very nice to live in medium sized cities.

 

[J-Rad]

There are a lot of programs that aren't CHOP, Boston, TCH, etc but have excellent reputations. The term "diamond in the rough" might connotate some negative "patina" to the program for one reason or another though. One program that I had experience with as a 4th year med student (rotating in some subspecialties) was Maine Medical Center in Portland. MMC is a great hospital, very technologically adept. The program is medium sized but sees lots of variety in pathology. Robust sub-specialty services (including peds CT surg). When I rotated through it had a tremendous reputation for being friendly. Portland is a fantastic city as well. I got the impression that all this made the program somewhat competetive, so definitely one you had to rotate through to get a spot. I know of no negatives associated with the program, though some may not appreciate Maine winters.

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

Arkansas Children's is a large children's hospital with good pathology, a HUGE catchement area, and good teaching faculty. I went to med school there and it's a great program.