Well, I just matched there. It was actually my second choice, so I'm pretty happy with it. First of all, the word on the street is that the program is solid, and well respected. Some call it the best kept secret in California. Although I have no first hand experience, I will tell you what I have been told about the program, which has been a similar description from multiple different people. There is plenty of trauma, and yes it basically operates as a level 1. The ED handles all trauma, they are not just sitting up at the head waiting to be told what to do by trauma surgery. The ED runs the trauma resuscitation, and trauma surgery will be there to basically do the thoracotomy, but the ED makes all decisions and has first shot at all chest tubes and lines. The ED residents also run all medical codes in the hospital. This is a great experience in intubation and running codes. I have been told that the teaching is top notch. Grand rounds occurs twice a week. Also, if you are a get your hands dirty kind of person, then Kern is the place to be. I like the fact that there isn't strong backup with residents from other specialties. You have to learn to handle certain ortho cases, burns, or ENT, etc. cases that would normally be taken off your hands. Also, there isn't a designated pediatric hospital in the area. Therefore, you are seeing peds patients everyday - including trauma. They average about 55,000 - 60,000 patient visits a year, so I believe it is a good thing there are only 7 residents - plenty to go around. And yes, it is a UCLA program, but I honestly do not know how that comes into play as a benefit. I'm not saying it's not a benefit, I just don't understand how it works. UCLA is on your diploma when you're done there, so that's cool.
Let's see....the negatives. Location. Well, it depends on your perspective. Bakersfield has a reputation of cow town. But I believe that's an out-dated stereotype. Bakersfield has actually grown into quite a modern city with all the gated communities, golf courses, parks with riverwalks, popular restaurants and shops you could want. As far as California goes, at an affordable price. I have a wife and kids, so we're looking forward to the family friendly environment, but if you are single and looking for great night life, then you would just need to make it through your shifts and head down to LA. it does have it's bad areas, and the hospital is definitely in the hood. But I guess that's what you want for a trauma center. Also, I have heard the cardiology experience is not strong there. I believe there is no cath lab at Kern, so most of the heart stuff goes to a nearby hospital with a cath lab. However, the residents do spend a month in the CCU at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, and many of the residents moonlight at the nearby heart hospital. In addition, I have been told that they still get significant experience with chest pain r/o MI at Kern with the significant amount of walk-ins with chest pain. If anyone knows more, please feel free to correct or expand. Some people say being a 4 year program is a negative, but I wanted a 4 year program. It does suck that you have to match into an internship as well, but to me it's worth it.
All in All, it seemed the residents at Kern were happy, and everyone that I have talked to that trained there, says they feel over-trained, and ready to handle anything. It has 30 years of alumni. So I'm sure someone is lurking on these forums that trained there. Well, that's all I know. Good luck. PM me if you want to.
