Midwest programs?

[CaptainJack]

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So it's that time of year and I'm getting ready to submit ERAS. I've talked to a lot of different people about what programs I should apply to but I wanted to get a few more perspectives, if possible.

About me: I am a midwesterner born and raised, went to undergrad in the midwest, went to med school in the midwest, and am interested in staying in the midwest for residency and thereafter. I don't have any particular geographic restrictions, just a preference based on familiarity and comfort. I have lived in large cities, villages, and everything in-between, and I like aspects of each, and can see myself being happy in a wide variety of different environments. Based on board scores and grades, I'd say I'm an above-average applicant. My goal in life is to be a kick-ass clinician. I enjoy teaching but am not particularly interested in research. I am interested in the administrative side of medicine. Outside of work I am a total geek but when forced to confront sunshine, I prefer to do so on or near a body of water. I'm single, no kids. My personality is fairly laid back and easy-going. I like being busy and challenged at work but I'd prefer to do so with people who are pretty chill.

After looking at a ton of different websites, every program starts to look the same and they all blend into one another (a slight exaggeration but true enough). Unlike many of my friends who are applying now, I don't have a rigid list of criteria that are crucial to me in order to whittle down a manageable list of programs. I don't want to apply to every program in the midwest, but I also don't want to miss a great program just because it flew under my radar. I have a select few that I am definitely applying to based on personal recommendations, but I want to broaden my horizons a little.

Any suggestions for programs that deserve a closer look on my part, particularly programs that might be less well-known but very cool nonetheless, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Seville]

Have you tried reading the residency reviews in one of the master stickies at the top of this forum? That's what I've been doing. I went to ERAS, found the programs which fit my criteria (3 vs 4 year programs, geographical preferences, size of the town, that sort of thing) then went to the residency review thread and copied all of the reviews I found about those programs into a word document. I then sat down and read everything I'd found about those programs and tried to see if they still were ones which meshed with what I am looking for. I hope that helps!

 

[dchristismi]

I was also a midwesterner who anticipated staying in the midwest.

I'm now a Floridian, thanks to the match. But that's neither here nor there.

Indy is a very strong program, if you don't mind flying. Indy is a nice town too - similar to KC as far as I could tell. I hear good things about Iowa, but don't know much about it. I really like IU Peoria when I interviewed, which was a pleasant surprise.

Or you could check out the awesome program at ORMC, and love it like I did. 🙂

 

[SoCuteMD]

I was also a midwesterner who anticipated staying in the midwest.

I'm now a Floridian, thanks to the match. But that's neither here nor there.

Indy is a very strong program, if you don't mind flying. Indy is a nice town too - similar to KC as far as I could tell. I hear good things about Iowa, but don't know much about it. I really like IU Peoria when I interviewed, which was a pleasant surprise.

Or you could check out the awesome program at ORMC, and love it like I did. 🙂

Flight is no longer mandatory at Indy.

 

[CaptainJack]

Thanks for the input!

 

[Bound4EM2009]

A few more to add to the list that I was impressed by last year: Kalamazoo, Medical College of Wisconsin & Regions/Health Partners (and agree with IU, peoria).

 

[Doctor Bob]

(and agree with IU, peoria).

I also have to agree with the program in Peoria Illinois. When I first heard of the program, I thought "psssh... there can't be anything good in Peoria". But after visiting the program it quickly became my top choice.

 

[Tiger26]

Is peoria the one with those hideous blue coats?

 

[It'sElectric]

yep.

 

[Doctor Bob]

Is peoria the one with those hideous blue coats?

It sure is. But when everyone else in hospitals across the country wears white coats (med students, lab techs, PT/OT, nurses, administrators, etc), the blue coats actually make the doctors distinctive.

And it's not that ugly a color. Besides, nobody wears them in the ED. They're only worn during ward rotations.

 

[crewmaster1]

UC would be good for your administrative interests. We obviously have the elective time for it. We also have some amazingly cool people in Admin and in high places. Our ED director at University is also the Chief of Staff elect for the hospital (takes the position next fiscal year for 2 years). Also with such an old Department we have a lot of involvement and power within the medical school and hospital administratively. Could help you pursue that experience. Flying is "mandatory" but I don't think you would find a single resident that would wish otherwise. Matter of fact, we also moonlight on the Helo and there is no surplus of shifts!

 

[Venko]

Two other programs worthy of consideration I think are Ohio State University and Mayo Clinic. Ohio State has a great reputation for well rounded training and is located in Columbus, which is a fantastic city for young professionals. Mayo Clinic is an amazing tertiary and quaternary center where everyone is well trained in care of the critically ill patient. Rochester is a tough place to live though.

 

[njac]

Two other programs worthy of consideration I think are Ohio State University and Mayo Clinic. Ohio State has a great reputation for well rounded training and is located in Columbus, which is a fantastic city for young professionals. Mayo Clinic is an amazing tertiary and quaternary center where everyone is well trained in care of the critically ill patient. Rochester is a tough place to live though.

what about Rochester is a tough place to live - besides weather?

 

[Tiger26]

UC would be good for your administrative interests. We obviously have the elective time for it. We also have some amazingly cool people in Admin and in high places. Our ED director at University is also the Chief of Staff elect for the hospital (takes the position next fiscal year for 2 years). Also with such an old Department we have a lot of involvement and power within the medical school and hospital administratively. Could help you pursue that experience. Flying is "mandatory" but I don't think you would find a single resident that would wish otherwise. Matter of fact, we also moonlight on the Helo and there is no surplus of shifts!

Even though you guys have a great safety record, mandatory flying scares the **** out of me. If not for that, it would be near the top of my list

 

[McPoyle]

I'm curious why Regions (HealthPartners) has been mentioned but Hennepin has not? if you are looking for more of a county type setting then Hennepin would be good. Either way, you can't go wrong with either of the Twin Cities programs-plus its an amazing area to live!

 

[Station51]

I'm gonna plug my program, Detroit Receiving. We have an administrative fellowship here as well and if you are interested in administration, you can learn a lot about it here and see what it takes to run an efficient, high-volume ED (>94,000 adult visits) with a less-than-ideal payer mix. We must be doing something right if we are able to see the vast majority of our patients within a half-hour of their arrival to the ED and not run in the red. Detroit may not be as nice of a city as Chicago or the Twin Cities but it's still got some really nice suburbs where many of us residents (including myself) live.

 

[hurricanemd]

I personally think Indiana is the best residency in the Midwest, but my view could be obscured by the fact that it's my program. 😀

 

[Seville]

I personally think Indiana is the best residency in the Midwest, but my view could be obscured by the fact that it's my program.

By the by, I like that you live in the midwest but have your location as the tropics 😀!

 

[hurricanemd]

By the by, I like that you live in the midwest but have your location as the tropics 😀!

I believe most hurricanes live in tropical areas if I'm not mistaken. I've just relocated for a few years.

 

[RustedFox]

I'm a PGY-1 at the new U. Toledo program. In two words; its awesome. I'll do my best to reply to PMs, but I may take some time as I'm on a busy rotation and my time is not my own. My thoughts in brief:

1. Toledo is a VERY easy and VERY affordable place to live. Yeah, its not Chicago or Detroit, but quite frankly, if you're not into big-city life - this is a great place to be. There's no 10% sales tax or $11.50 fee for... whatever.
2. Our ED attendings are great. Its easy to tell that they want this program to not only succeed, but be five-star. They're working to see that we're all very happy. They listen attentively to resident feedback and work to make things better.
3. If research is your thing; there's plenty of it here. The present work on therapeutic hypothermia is really cool. EMS and disaster management (especially disaster mgmt) are also really big. Personally, I'm looking to get involved in medical education, and the opportunities that I have are certainly keeping me busy.
4. Altogether; whatever 'it' may be, 'it' is here if you want to take it.

 

[Seville]

I believe most hurricanes live in tropical areas if I'm not mistaken. I've just relocated for a few years.

heh, I'm just messing with you. I figured with a name like "hurricanemd" you must be from Miami or somewhere of that ilk.

 

[Venko]

what about Rochester is a tough place to live - besides weather?

A lot of people believe the town to be too small and without the luxuries of the big cities (i.e. Major Profesisonal Sports, Cultural Arts etc, fine dining).

 

[CaptainJack]

Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to respond. I really appreciate the information!

 

[NEATOMD]

Is peoria the one with those hideous blue coats?

I too was pleasantly surprised by Peoria. As a matter of fact, the lab coat color was the only negative I found with the program...which says a lot. Nonetheless, it was a hard to get over. Fortunately, as Doctor Bob mentioned, none of the ED staff wear labcoats.

Also, the hospital is dumping millions into a brand spanking new ED that is set to open in August.