DO Friendly Allopathic General Surgery Programs

[DMBmatty08]

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Anyone have any input? Thanks.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Anyone have any input? Thanks.

I would say Penn State is as is Pinnacle Health in Harrisburg. Not top of the line programs by any means, but they have histories of taking DOs.

 

[DMBmatty08]

I would say Penn State is as is Pinnacle Health in Harrisburg. Not top of the line programs by any means, but they have histories of taking DOs.

What are the "top of the line" programs?

 

[Winged Scapula]

What are the "top of the line" programs?

You know...all the big name places you hear about. Do a search in this forum and you'll find a thread of what people think are the TOP 20 surgery programs in the US. A lot of subjectiveness to what is said there, but there probably is some truth to it as well.

Unfortunately, a lot of the "old guard" top of the line programs aren't particularly receptive to DOs.

 

[ArcherM2]

I'm glad I found this thread because it is exactly what I was going to ask. I was originally looking into Neurosurgery and wanted to go allopathic. I understand that there are a few allopathic nsg programs that take DOs. I was definitely very surprised by this.

After recently completing 12 weeks of surgery in both the community and major university settings, I've realized that I want to pursue GS and possibly go into Surg Onc afterwards. It seems that in order to be competitive for a Surg Onc spot at one of the few Society of Surgical Oncology recognized programs you would be ill-advised to pursue a "weak" general surgery program.

With this all being said, I would like to find myself in a stronger, academic medical center for my surgical training. I had an attending at a "major university" surgical program offer to write me a letter of recommendation despite only being on my third rotation of my third year. When he went over my CV he said that I seemed competitive except for my lack of research. With that I've been in pursuit of a research project in order to strengthen my CV and have begun to consider taking a year off between my 3rd and 4th year to pursue said project.

Personal Pros for allo GS: I've taken both the USMLE and COMLEX and have scored well on both. I honored all three surgery rotations I've completed. I'm in the top 10% of my large medical school class. I have leadership experience on a national level. I'm very hardworking and definitely work well with others.
Personal Cons for allo GS: No research as of yet; DO undergraduate medical school.

I try and take self-inventory often. Other than the aforementioned cons, I do not see why I wouldn't be a competitive applicant for allopathic GS spots. I understand the "old guard" still has much of a handle in the surgery community but if nsg programs are taking DOs and you can find DOs in most major academic medical centers in most fields, shouldn't GS be more receptive?

I guess I've known all along this was going to be an uphill battle with some walls I would need to break down. Now I'm realizing this will all be happening shortly and I'd like to know if anyone has any pointers for taking on such a task.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice/criticism.

 

[cbass1350]

Kern Medical Center, Bakersfield, CA
Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

Both are county hospitals and not exactly competitive programs, but you will be doing a ton more operations than the academic ones.

 

[PegasusDoc]

Coming from the military where you rarely know if a physician is a DO or MD, I am curious why it would matter if you do a DO Gen Surg residency or an MD (allopathic) residency? Does it limit your training? Is there a paucity of spots? Just curious why this question seems to come up so much.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Coming from the military where you rarely know if a physician is a DO or MD, I am curious why it would matter if you do a DO Gen Surg residency or an MD (allopathic) residency? Does it limit your training? Is there a paucity of spots? Just curious why this question seems to come up so much.

The issue often comes up when thinking about fellowships. There are many many more allopathic/ACGME fellowships and they usually require the completion of an ACGME residency as does Board Certification in some fields. That said, there are loopholes and DOs can get into ACGME fellowships from a DO residency, but I suspect many would prefer not to have to find those loopholes.

In addition, as you noted, there are just so many more ACGME residencies when compared to DO ones. So a matter of numbers in that area as well.

 

[DO2012]

Hi ArcherM2,

I have been accepted to Western for 2008. I am also interested in pursuing a GS surgical residency. I would love to get some information from you on preparing for both USMLE and COMLEX at the same time and doing well. Additionally, I also lack research experience and would like to get involved with leadership. I was a student body president in sophomore year of undergrad.

As I see medical school starting for me shorlty. I just want to make sure that I take the right steps so that I am ready for the proverbial DO uphill battle to get into a good GS residency. Therefore, any guidance from you will be appreciated.

Thanks,
🙂

 

[ESU_MD]

it is nearly impossible these days to get into a program from a DO school without taking USMLE.

If you can do well on COMLEX, then you can do good on USMLE.
Remember- A good surgeon is always confident.

 

[ScrubThis]

You can get into an allopathic residency WITHOUT the USMLE... but it is only a matter of a little extra $$$, so why chance not taking it? I'm a DO and have done A LOT of research on this topic.

I've met DOs who have gone to VERY competative academic programs with out taking the USMLE. Then again, I have been told by multiple directors that the USMLE is preferred.

It depends how much you like to gamble... 🙂

Great choice of schools by the way! WESTERN rocks!!!