I've been following many threads and found them quite useful...thanks for all the hard work!
In addition to Pitt, I'm pursuing the smaller programs in Pittsburgh. I am interested in any info differentiating the Mercy from West Penn program. Anyone have any insight?
do a search.
however, i'm
reposting what i wrote a month or so ago. i'm not 100% sure that these details are all accurate, so if something is wrong here, somebody please correct me:
as a student who has rotated at both hospitals (not in anesthesiology), i might be able to help a little... you also might try a search, as this topic was discussed quite a bit last year in this forum...
west penn lost their contract with their anesthesiology group in late '05/ early '06, and went after mercy's anesthesiologists successfully. dr. troianos was the chair and program director at mercy; now he has the same position at west penn. a few of the better attendings that were once at mercy are now at west penn.
also, i believe that west penn's program is a little bigger. and from what i've heard from one of my friends who is a resident there, things are going well despite the change.
as far as mercy, the majority of the attendings i came in contact with are friendly, and good teachers. however, this is a smaller program (i think they just increased to 5 residents per year). most of the residents there do seem happy.
finally, mercy hospital lost over 40 million dollars over the last 3 years, and was in financial dire straits - leading to its purchase by the behemoth, UPMC, a few weeks ago. supposedly, mercy is to remain independent and the residency programs are to remain secure, but who knows. it wouldn't be the first time a pittsburgh gas program was dissolved due to financial reasons (AGH had one as well).
hope this helps.
