mercy/west penn

[amyl]

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does anyone have any current information on these two programs? I know last year mercy's PD went to west penn. there was also a lot of talk about loosing funding, merging, etc. anyone know what is going on in pittsburgh recently?

 

[Bertelman]

does anyone have any current information on these two programs? I know last year mercy's PD went to west penn. there was also a lot of talk about loosing funding, merging, etc. anyone know what is going on in pittsburgh recently?

I interviewed Mercy. Don't know much about W Penn. Have a new PD, likable guy, but not really the kind of personality I would like to work under for 3 years. Last I heard, their impending merger with Pitt was hung up on legalities, but it would likely be approved. Basically, they are a very old Catholic hospital with the expected money shortfalls. I interviewed there for a Surg prelim as well, and both programs discussed the details of the merger, and welcomed any questions. From what I understood, they ensured each resident that for the duration of their residency, they would be Mercy residents, regardless of any merger status. Of course, this was last year. Now that the merger may have gone through, the story for this year's applicants may be different.

I sensed some level of competition between Mercy and West Penn, both of which I believe have some financing issues, and I am sure they are fighting for dollars from the same Pittsburgh pockets. In the end, I just didn't get a great vibe in the hospital. Could have been a great program, but the hospital setting was...sparse, to say the least. It's a Catholic hospital. I didn't think they used used stretchers that old for anything other than cadavers these days.

 

[amyl]

so what I am gathering is that western penn is a safer bet? I would hate to start residency some place and then there not be a spot for me and I have to find somewhere to finish.... talk about stress!

 

[TrustMe]

does anyone have any current information on these two programs? I know last year mercy's PD went to west penn. there was also a lot of talk about loosing funding, merging, etc. anyone know what is going on in pittsburgh recently?

I did not interview at Mercy but I actually liked West Penn. They have a couple of good hospitals to work at. Their greatest asset was the PD, Dr. Troianos. Great guy. Seemed like he would be great to work for. The other faculty that I met seemed really good and seemed like great resident advocates. One of the faculty that I interviewed with was actually a PD at two other programs but wanted to move back close to home and so he landed at West Penn. Have a friend of a friend that just finished there and felt like he got excellent training. I did not like Pittsburgh as a city though. I actually disliked it enough that I cancelled my Pitt interview after this one and didin't look back. Cities are personal preference so don't let that discourage you. Hope this helps a little.

TM

 

[badgas]

I did not interview at Mercy but I actually liked West Penn. They have a couple of good hospitals to work at. Their greatest asset was the PD, Dr. Troianos. Great guy. Seemed like he would be great to work for. The other faculty that I met seemed really good and seemed like great resident advocates. One of the faculty that I interviewed with was actually a PD at two other programs but wanted to move back close to home and so he landed at West Penn. Have a friend of a friend that just finished there and felt like he got excellent training. I did not like Pittsburgh as a city though. I actually disliked it enough that I cancelled my Pitt interview after this one and didin't look back. Cities are personal preference so don't let that discourage you. Hope this helps a little.

TM

I completely agree except with your feelings on Pittsburgh. It's no NYC or San Fran, but I wasn't really looking for that type of city. Like you said, it's personal preference. The faculty at West Penn that I interviewed with and PD were the most friendly of any interview I had. Can't wait to start there next year and begin repressing memories of this damn internship.

 

[Max Plank]

Just finished transitional year at Mercy in June 06. Loved the hospital. Got to know the anesthesia residents there and they were all a lot of fun. The hospital is an old Catholic hospital, but that really never impacted anything I did other than see some of the church rounding in the hospital with those who wanted their care. I'm not Catholic, and frankly rather athiest, but I appreciated the care they provided. Went to med school at Univ of Pittsburgh, and don't mind the city at all. Not sure if that helps, but I loved my time at Mercy and in Pittsburgh.

 

[Steel_City]

I'm a CA-1 here at West Penn and a Pittsburgh native. I can honestly say I'm extremely happy here at West Penn. Out time is divided between West Penn and Alleghany General (which is a private hospital with a big academic feel). The program has been completely revitalized within the past year and a half with the addition of an almost completely new staff. The program director Dr. Troianos is great to work for and is a huge resident advocate. It's not uncommon for him to hold journal clubs at his home and take call with us at the hospital. The best part of the residency has to be the commarodary between residents here. Everyone looks out for one another and we all split preops to alleviate the on-call person. Pittsburgh is not a bad city at all. It has lots of character and good night life if you like to go out. I'm really happy overall and am super happy to be at the progam. If you have any questions at all, send me a pm.

I'm also familiar with Mercy hospital as I rotated there for most of medical school. I interviewed at there program but ultimately ranked them low when I found out Dr. Troianos was leaving the hospital. He hand-picked some of their key attendings to bring over to West Penn, which really had an impact on the program. Mercy hospital is very resident-friendly overall but is a small program and is now part of the UPMC Health System, which seems to be taking over Pittsburgh, and the world for that matter.

I also have a couple friends at U. Pitt. I have read good things about there program and they have great critical care, but the residents I know from their program are not happy. Apparently, they are sticklers about the in-service exam score and if you don't perform over the 50th percentile, you have to come up with a study plan and do extra stuff. They also complain about continually getting out of rooms late, especially at Children's. If you like a big university feel, however, it may be the place for you. Maybe someone from the program can elaborate on this more.

 

[gasnewB]

Any updates on the program?

 

[bigdan]

I also have a couple friends at U. Pitt. I have read good things about there program and they have great critical care, but the residents I know from their program are not happy. Apparently, they are sticklers about the in-service exam score and if you don't perform over the 50th percentile, you have to come up with a study plan and do extra stuff. They also complain about continually getting out of rooms late, especially at Children's. If you like a big university feel, however, it may be the place for you. Maybe someone from the program can elaborate on this more.

This kinda conflicts with more recent reports that Pitt residents are working like 55 hrs/wk. Can anyone else offer their experiences?

dc

 

[amyl]

i only interviewed there....maybe a resident will chime in. it sure seemed like about 55h a week...seemed like they were usually relieved at 4 to go to lecture and were done by 5ish. if you are on that particular weekend then i am sure the numbers are occasionally more. no one i met there seemed uphappy but i only met a handful of residents.

 

[SelfPromoter]

I'm a CA-1 here at West Penn and a Pittsburgh native.

Interesting how you're JUST NOW promoting COMBANK on the message boards and say you're using it to prepare for Step II this year but according to this thread, you should be a PGY-3 at West Penn (just like the founder of COMBANK)