Jackson - UMiami IM program

[medicineIM]

Hey guys

I was hoping to hear some input on Jacksons program in Miami. Im particularly interested in Cards but wanted to know some of the opinion about the program as a whole.

Seems like a solid program and a nice campus with three hospitals all within walking distance including a VA.

Its fellowship match is pretty good too - as it keeps lots of its own and orherwise sends to some well known institutions.

I guess I just wanted to see what people thought - is there lots of scut work? Are the residents happy? Whats its reputation outside of florida?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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[Chickenwing]

I was wondering the same. I heard some not so great things, but after visiting, I was impressed. The last match list was REALLY impressive IMO. Does seem like they're worked pretty hard though. Anyone elses thoughts are much appreciated!

 

[LimbicResponse]

There is not much science to it.

Poor county hospital without ancillary staff.

Great training, you can get whatever fellowship you want. Expect to silently break GME hour restrictions throughout the 3 years. Big program, so you can find the niche of residents that you click with and make fun of the rest that you didn't click with.. just like every other big program. Hospital is in financial trouble, but it cannot close, so don't worry about losing your job.

Perfect program for: Single, active male that works hard and plays hard.

Wouldn't recommend for: Married female with kids that enjoys seeing their face every now and then.

Hey guys

I was hoping to hear some input on Jacksons program in Miami. Im particularly interested in Cards but wanted to know some of the opinion about the program as a whole.

Seems like a solid program and a nice campus with three hospitals all within walking distance including a VA.

Its fellowship match is pretty good too - as it keeps lots of its own and orherwise sends to some well known institutions.

I guess I just wanted to see what people thought - is there lots of scut work? Are the residents happy? Whats its reputation outside of florida?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[quepatho]

Per my best friend who goes to Miami:

Would recommend for IMG who speaks Spanish; those will be your coworkers and your patients (and, to a significantly lesser extent, your attendings). The IMGs with great research tend to be the ones who get the great fellowships.

Residents complain that you have to be very aggressive to get cards research and that cards faculty are hesitant to take their own residents for fellowship. A lot of egos, but what's new? It's cards, lol.

 

[quique2]

I was wondering the same. I heard some not so great things, but after visiting, I was impressed. The last match list was REALLY impressive IMO. Does seem like they're worked pretty hard though. Anyone elses thoughts are much appreciated!

My thoughts exactly after interviewing there: pretty good match list (especially for the Hispanic residents who match *very* well), solid academics and training, but seems like a LOT of work.

Still extremely impressed though.

 

[pullandbear]

From a friend who has lots of experience at Miami.

PROS: True county experience. You also rotate through the private Univ. Miami Hospital and the VA, all on the same campus. Not many programs can boast all 3 types of settings, let alone all within walking distance. Even has its own Sylvester Cancer Center. You will get amazing clinical experience and come out extremely strong. There is so much pathology that comes into Jackson it's unbelievable. There is lots of research available as well but making time for it is the only limiting factor. While the area surrounding Jackson isn't the best, most residents live in the high rise condos of Brickell (think of the typical skyline picture of Miami... that's it) which is max 10 mins from the hospital or in South Beach which is a little further away. Obviously, the residents enjoy everything Miami has to offer for nightlife. Definitely a work hard and play hard program. The match list is extremely solid to great programs and Miami takes a lot of their own for fellowship.

CONS: You work extremely hard. Also many but not all of the ancillary staff aren't the best to work with and you will have to deal with "scut" work during your intern year (finding placement for your homeless patients, etc). Definitely not an efficient system (this is probably the biggest 'con'). But in second year, you deal with that less since now you have interns doing that for you. Also, many patients speak only spanish. On the plus, most of the nurses can help translate and there is a translator service as well. I feel the worst of Jackson's financial issues are in the past and it will start getting better. You can google it in the miami herald for more recent news.

Overall: Incredible program with very solid fellowship match list. You work hard while dealing with the typical county hospital issues. But you come out extremely clinically strong while enjoying 3 years in Miami!

 

[flaviviral]

I would argue UMiami is the strongest program in Florida in terms of autonomy, clinical exposure, and resident quality. Unusual cases from South Florida, Carribean, and Latin America do end up in the county hospital. Residents run the show, but faculty/fellows always available. 1/3 are Miami grads, 1/3 from Latin America schools, and the rest.

Nursing staff on the wards are not very good, but ICU/surgery floor nurses are excellent. You do have to follow up on labs/tests because things don't get done on time. You do not have to worry about placements, although they can delay discharge. 50% of patients speak Spanish, 10% Haitian Creole in the county hospital. VA and community/university hospital mostly English. Miami 4th year students can function as interns and PGY-1s do most of the work. Residents are team leaders.

Heme/onc and GI/liver are probably the strongest sections. Research opportunities can be sought out. Cardiology became strong only in recent years. ID and endocrine also have many academic people. Economic problems and buying a new hospital did hit Miami/Jackson pretty hard. So it's unclear if some of the faculty may leave.

Miami is a great location, hands down. If you haven't vacationed here, highly recommend it.

All in all, a strong program with some ancilliary issues and some uncertainties.