Hey NJBMD

[Dr Gupta CNN]

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I noticed in one of the other threads you mentioned you were from UVa. I'm actually really interested in that program (I wanted to do an elective there but the schedule did not line up with that of my school). It sounds like a well-balanced program that stresses teaching and encourages time in research- aspects which definitely interest me.

Anyhow, I was wondering if you could tell me more about the program, and what kind of applicants you guys look for. I would be happy to give you any of my stats... all I will say here is that I go to school in NYC.

 

[unregistered]

Hey what gives? Why would you reapply to medical school if you're already a doctor? And why in the hell would you give up your day job at CNN?

 

[Dr Gupta CNN]

Haha, you gotta admit that guy had a pretty cool job... running around in tents in Iraq, operating and reporting...

 

[Airborne]

All I will say is that maybe you should choose a different screen name

I think it complete disrespect to use a name of someone who you are not - not to mention someone who has done a hell of a lot more than you have, not only in medicine, but also in PR ....

Once you are an attending, once you have a piece on CNN, once YOU have gone to Iraq, then I can respect your name.

Until then, perhaps your name should be...

Dr Poser, Wanna B on CNN

Regards,

Airborne

PS - I hope you don't match, and if you do - please match in a Q2 program so that you are one of the 20% who QUIT NS.

 

[Dr Gupta CNN]

Airborne,

I picked this name because my friends were always messing with me about how I kept saying Dr. Gupta had a really interesting job to do in Iraq... and that he was working there as well. The name is a show of respect, the same way someone who goes on a Green Bay Packers website might use the screen name "Favre4" or "Lombardi" or whatever.

Beyond that, why the negativity? First of all, I'm interested in General Surgery, not NS. Secondly, why would you wish someone to "not match?" I try to worry about what I'm doing and not anyone else (if anything I wish others luck).

Anyhow, I just finished 3rd year so I'm in a pretty good mood. And on that note, I'll leave this topic to the resident whom I originally addressed, thanking him in advance for the help and also hoping that we might hear what's great about UVa GS...

 

[apma77]

I too think your a poser!
dont be a copy cat and make your own unique name😱

 

[njbmd]

Originally posted by Dr Gupta CNN
I noticed in one of the other threads you mentioned you were from UVa. I'm actually really interested in that program (I wanted to do an elective there but the schedule did not line up with that of my school). It sounds like a well-balanced program that stresses teaching and encourages time in research- aspects which definitely interest me.

Anyhow, I was wondering if you could tell me more about the program, and what kind of applicants you guys look for. I would be happy to give you any of my stats... all I will say here is that I go to school in NYC.

Hi there,
UVa requires two years of research making the total residency seven years. The two research years come after you have completed your PGY-2 year. UVa currently takes four categorical residents in General Surgery and one Plastics resident. The program is very academically oriented with much emphasis on teaching. scholarship and evidence-based medicine. We all read quite a bit.

The faculty is wonderful here and represent places like Duke, Harvard, Hopkins, Minnesota, Penn and UVa. All faculty members are dedicated to teaching residents. There are fellowships here in MIS, Vascular and Cardio-thoracic Surgery so there are plenty of experiences for all-round good training. There are four busy transplant surgeons so you get plenty of transplant work too. There is a Burn ICU for experience with burns and a NNICU where you can get neurosurgery experience. Most of the trauma here is blunt trauma with an occasional gunshot wound.

The program looks for fairly traditional applicants who have fairly competitive scores. Having research is a plus but not requirement. Many of my colleagues are MD-Ph.Ds. The most important characteristic is that you fit in with the current corps of residents. (Not at all difficult to do). There is an almost equal number of males and females.

Charlottesville is a nice college town but housing is getting pretty expensive. Most of my colleagues have purchased their own homes. Charlottesville is a great place to raise kids with good schools and the like. You are located about 100 miles south of Washington, DC. There is an airport that is served by US Airways and United.

UVa's teaching is what attracted me to the program and I have not been disappointed. I have gotten good operative experience and I work with a pretty nice group of folks. Good luck! We would be glad to have you.

njbmd 😎

 

[ArrogantSurgeon]

njbmd,

Does UVa require people with prior surgical reasearch experience and publications to also do the 2 years of research after PGY2? Can it be reduced to 1 year if you've done prior surgical research?

 

[njbmd]

Originally posted by ArrogantSurgeon
njbmd,

Does UVa require people with prior surgical reasearch experience and publications to also do the 2 years of research after PGY2? Can it be reduced to 1 year if you've done prior surgical research?

Yes, two years of research are mandatory with no exceptions and no reductions.
njbmd

 

[Pilot Doc]

From my experience as a UVa student/surgical applicant, the research requirement is not absolute. At least two of the current upper level residents did not go through the lab. Others have been considering it. As with most programs, the research requiremtent varies with the clinical manpower needs of the department. The best thing to do is ask Dr. Kron (chairman) or Dr. Schirmer (PD)

But in answer to the original question, a history of prior surgical publications will not automatically exempt you from the lab. The deparment sees a number of advantages to two years over one.

 

[ArrogantSurgeon]

Originally posted by Pilot Doc
The deparment sees a number of advantages to two years over one.

Would you mind elaborating why?
Thanks

 

[Pilot Doc]

I interviewed at a number of places last year that had required/optional 0,1,2 years of research. Everybody had numerous reasons for why their program was the best. The general reason defending two years is that publishing meaningful, semi-independent research is not possible in 1 year. A key part of this is not just publishing but presenting your findings at major meetings where you meet the movers and shakers who will hopefully hire you as a fellow or attending.

Ideally, by the end of two years, you will have made a significant name for yourself, such that people in the field actually associate you with a body of work. You will also have enough experience to start as a reasonably independent investigator as a junior attending. (And some people at the big academic centers will take three years to further enhance the experience.)

From what I gathered, 1 year of research will get you line items on a CV for that "good fellowship." (Soap box: Are there any bad fellowships? Every program I interviewd at from 2-spot community programs to the big names swore that every grad that wanted one got a "good" fellowship.) But 1 year of research probably won't make you well known as a rising leader in academic sugery or prepare you to run a lab.

That's my take on why UVa and similar programs encourage 2 years over 1. Are they correct? No idea - you'd have to ask people far more experienced than I am.

 

[castaway]

To NJBMD or anyone else

What other GS programs have lots of teaching (either on rounds, in the OR, or conferences)?

I'm applying GS and would like to apply to all programs which emphasize teaching/learning.

 

[southerndoc]

I'm waiting for AOL Time Warner's legal beagles to bust you for using Dr. Gupta's name. I'm sure they probably have trademarked it by now. 😕