MercyCatholic/PA rotations

[DestinedDr]

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Hey guys, I recently found out that i will be doing my core rotations in Mercy Catholic Med Ctr, PA. I am not from Philly & the only reason I chose this site was because it appeared to be a great place for learning, & also because I happen to have some family down there. I was wondering if i could get some input from someone who is or has already rotated through this site- about the location, hospital, places to live, or just about your experiences in general. At this point, i know that i should focus instead on studying for boards and what not, but i can't help but feel a little freaked out about third year, and if I did make the right choice by choosing Mercy.. I would really, really appreciate any of your responses!!
Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[Bacchus]

I was there for internal medicine and cardiology. There are two sites: MHOP and Fitzgerald. Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia is in West Philly on 52nd street or so. I did cardiology there with the CMA in the building. They're amazing teachers. I learned so much on my rotation and they're all very amicable. The hospital is older, but has been refinished. As far as cardiology goes, there is a service but the attendings also go to Fitzgerald because the cath lab is located there. There is noon conference every day with lunch provided it (but it isn't that great.)

Medicine was at the Fitzgerald campus. I really, really enjoyed it. The hospital is again a little aged, but it did survive the earthquake we had earlier this year 😉. Most, about 90%, of the internal medicine residents are IMGs from various countries. It's hit or miss with the residents and interns. I feel as if I got two of the best but others were downright horrible. There were times where it seemed all of the interns were trying to show they knew everything so as students we didn't get our fair share of time to demonstrate our knowledge. Hours are longer, 7-5 each day, with call q4d to 9pm. Usually after two admissions you have done, you are allowed to leave, regardless of time. I learned a lot on the rotation as there were 3 hours of attending teaching rounds each week with various other lectures placed in with daily noon conference (and lunch) in addition to the interns' grand rounds. You don't formally round, but rather attend signout each morning and then go see your patients and present them to your intern or resident. Mercy gives you cash vouchers for your overnight call so you have money to buy dinner.

 

[DestinedDr]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the response, makes me feel a lot better 🙂 Btw, do u have any suggestions on places to live that would be within a 10 min drive to either one of the hospitals, and that is affordable & also in a safe neighborhood..
Also, do u normally work with other students from your own school or do they assign everyone to work with different residents/attendings.. Sry if its a dumb question, as you can tell, i really have no idea about how rotations work 😳

Looking forward to hearing from SDNers about their experiences!! 🙂

 

[Bacchus]

Well I'm assuming you might be from KCUMB or LECOM as I encountered those students. I also worked with a few Drexel students as its a Drexel hospital as well. I live near PCOM and it took me ~15 mins or so to get to MHOP and about 30 mins in the morning to get settled in Fitzgerald. Takes about 45 mins to get home at the end of the day though. I know a few of the KCUMBers that lived in the Art Museum district and commuted.