Howard University's Program

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Hi everyone, especially those that are already residents and fellows or who have interviewed before. I just saw that Howard has an open PGY-2 spot for 2006, I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts about this program. Strengths and weaknesses, good and bad. I like the D.C. area so I'm curious about this program.

 

[demspawn]

Also interested in everyones thoughts.
I also saw that they are also offering a PGY-3 as well starting immediately...
Whate happened there?
Two people left?
What is up with that?

D

 

[wtwei02]

correct me if i'm wrong...but isn't that a traditionally african american school??

 

[demspawn]

correct me if i'm wrong...but isn't that a traditionally african american school??

hmmm
good question. I guess that also dictates tha residents?
D.

 

[triquetras]

Just because the school is historically/predominantly african-american doesn't mean that its a requirement that an applicant for medical school/residency/faculty has to be african-american in order to qualify. Just like you don't have to be Jewish to attend Albert Einstein....

 

[Visioncam]

Some people do think the program is not very good. One first year resident left a few years ago to attend a program he thought was better, Cook County Hospital. A few months ago, there were some posts entitled "programs that suck". Howard was not one of those listed. I concur that the program doesn't reach the level of "sucks".

Many of the faculty and residents are African-American* but not all of them are.

*Once an American reported asked former South African president Mr. Mandela a question. It was about being "African-American" (when the reported actually meant black). President Mandela laughed and said that he was "African-African", not "African-American".

 

[thiaeyemd]

Just to answer some questions about the open spots, program at Howard etc... I am the chief resident at Howard and I thought this might be educational.

1. The two spots that are available are because for the PGY III position, one person was not renewed their contract last year. The PGY 2 spot is available because the person who matched in the spot is part of the Army Reserve/ ROTC and the army will not let them start their ophthalmology resident but must instead go to Iraq.

2. It is not a necessity to be African American to be a resident at Howard. (I am not myself)

3. The Howard program is very strong. We have a great number of lectures, teaching, research and great surgical volume. However, the training is rigorous. If someone is interested in coming to an ophthalmology program and chilling out for three years, this is definitely not the program for you. The surgical and clinic volume is high. A normal day is between 7:30 and about 6 pm.On a plus side, I have logged in approximately 300 surgical cases so far (as of today) with about 250 as Class I. I expect to finish with about 400 Class I cases as the vast majority of our cases are during our third year.


If anyone has any questions they can contact myself at [email protected]