Neonatology Fellowship Interview question

[BPD]

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Just had a question for the neonatology veterans. Do institutions who invite you for interviews cover the travel expenses? I have an interview invitation from UWash, Seattle and they have not mentioned anything about travel expenses yet.....but I still havent given them any dates. Should I bring it up before setting up the interview?
Thanks

 

[jackjinju]

🙁 🙁

Just had a question for the neonatology veterans. Do institutions who invite you for interviews cover the travel expenses? I have an interview invitation from UWash, Seattle and they have not mentioned anything about travel expenses yet.....but I still havent given them any dates. Should I bring it up before setting up the interview?
Thanks

none paid for me 🙁 maybe there are some that do.....not sure which ones though ....

andrew

 

[kickazzz2000]

I got a call from Duke. They are puttin me up in a hotel. Of course, I'm driving distance away so I wouldn't know if they subsidize travel costs.

 

[BPD]

I got a call from Duke. They are puttin me up in a hotel. Of course, I'm driving distance away so I wouldn't know if they subsidize travel costs.

I have interviews from Cincinatti Children's, Children's National Med Ctr, DC and UWash Seattle. Havent heard from Duke as yet. Are you looking at a specific geographical area?

 

[kickazzz2000]

NC/DC/MD/VA/GA/PA

basically east coast and southeast with a few outlyers.

Of course none of my letters are in yet, it turns out, so i'm (hopefully) expecting a flood once they start trickling in.

 

[windycitygirl]

they won't pay for travel costs--i have never heard of that. they may put you up in a hotel, depending on the city...LA, Chicago and New York programs don't do it, but many of the others do...University of Miami/jackson memorial puts you up in a very swanky resort...flat-screen tv and jacuzzi in-suite. sweet.

 

[BPD]

they won't pay for travel costs--i have never heard of that. they may put you up in a hotel, depending on the city...LA, Chicago and New York programs don't do it, but many of the others do...University of Miami/jackson memorial puts you up in a very swanky resort...flat-screen tv and jacuzzi in-suite. sweet.

I have interviews from all bigwigs except Harvard and Hopkins. Anyone been invited by them as yet? (This is for a Neonatology Fellowship)
Thanks

 

[kickazzz2000]

Havent heard from Hopkins yet.

Got Rainbow, Vanderbilt, and Duke so far. Most programs are waiting on ONE letter that is taking forever.

 

[Doc-Hollywood]

Just had a question for the neonatology veterans. Do institutions who invite you for interviews cover the travel expenses? I have an interview invitation from UWash, Seattle and they have not mentioned anything about travel expenses yet.....but I still havent given them any dates. Should I bring it up before setting up the interview?
Thanks

I was reimbursed at Cincinatti, and at Baylor ( only after I accepted a position )
Sorry but those were the only two I wanted to attend, so I didn't interview elsewhere ( is anywhere else really necessary? )

 

[Doc-Hollywood]

BPD...If your screenname implies an interest in BPD, I would say look no further than Cincinatti.

Can't beat working with Alan Jobe.
My research was in proinflammatory markers for BPD.
Jobe is certainly the guru in the field, as far as I'm concerned
I chose Baylor just because it was the biggest, and working for Ralph Feigen can't ever be a bad thing. Also Texas Childrens is IMO the best Children's Hospital in America and the NICU is huge. You'll see everything , and probably in your first month on service get as much experience as you would in many programs in a year. No joke

If you have a deep desire for a research career in BPD, then a research mentor like Jobe etc is important. If you want to be a private practice neonatologist, or a clinical based academic neonatologist I recommend Baylor

 

[BPD]

BPD...If your screenname implies an interest in BPD, I would say look no further than Cincinatti.

Can't beat working with Alan Jobe.
My research was in proinflammatory markers for BPD.
Jobe is certainly the guru in the field, as far as I'm concerned
I chose Baylor just because it was the biggest, and working for Ralph Feigen can't ever be a bad thing. Also Texas Childrens is IMO the best Children's Hospital in America and the NICU is huge. You'll see everything , and probably in your first month on service get as much experience as you would in many programs in a year. No joke

If you have a deep desire for a research career in BPD, then a research mentor like Jobe etc is important. If you want to be a private practice neonatologist, or a clinical based academic neonatologist I recommend Baylor

Yeah, I agree that Cincinnati is the best if you are interested in Pulmonary research. In fact, overall too it is definitely amongst the top 3.
What about other bigtime names like CHOP, Columbia, Harvard?

 

[Doc-Hollywood]

Yeah, I agree that Cincinnati is the best if you are interested in Pulmonary research. In fact, overall too it is definitely amongst the top 3.
What about other bigtime names like CHOP, Columbia, Harvard?

Of course if you train at Boston Children's, CHOP, Univ Miami, Stanford, Baylor, Cincinatti, Rainbow Babies, Denver Children's you'll be learning from the best of the best....Hay, Spitzer, Stevenson,Bancalari,Fanarov and Martin

It's always nice to train with the folks that are writing the textbooks.
Don't forget volume too. Lots of patients = lots of variety

 

[kickazzz2000]

Anybody care to comment on Columbia?

Im trying to weigh cost of living vs program quality.

I'm still going to go to the interview though.

 

[jackjinju]

Well, the most I can offer is that I interviewed there, and I know someone who is a fellow there....I think it would probably be included in the top 3 in the NE corridor, along with Boston and CHOP.....has it's particular ventilatory strategy.....don't intubate as much up there.....have that special CPAP device/prongs.

I heard it's a pretty tough/hard working program. Clearly the best in NYC. Research there was solid, but not as huge as one would think.....but is clinically amazing....you do a lot of cardiac defect babies.

They have Rich Polin there as division head, who is huge, and Dr. Rubenstein is very cool, too.

See for yourself, I guess. Nice new NICU....hard schedule, as I said....not too warm or fuzzy.....

hope this helps!

 

[kickazzz2000]

elsewhere ( is anywhere else really necessary? )

certainly, if you dont care to live in cinci or houston

 

[kickazzz2000]

Is Emory an inbred program?

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Is Emory an inbred program?

Is inbreeding good or bad in your view? The word makes it seem like it must be awful, but it isn't obvious to me why. Does inbreeding mean fellows staying as faculty or residents staying as fellows or college students becoming lifers in the institutution?

Why does it matter if people are talented and good teachers and clinicians and/or investigators?

Regards

OBP

 

[kickazzz2000]

Its bad from a purely selfish standpoint, in the context of residents becoming fellows.

I want to go there.


Now the issue of whether residents becoming fellows or fellows staying on as faculty is good or not, thats a different discussion!!

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Its bad from a purely selfish standpoint, in the context of residents becoming fellows.

I want to go there.


Now the issue of whether residents becoming fellows or fellows staying on as faculty is good or not, thats a different discussion!!

Well, without commenting on Emory per se, I would say that in general most fellowships will make sure there is a place for any of their own residents whom they like and who want to go there. For most of the bigger programs though, this would still leave them spots for outsiders, but the number can be hit or miss depending on how many locals there are wanting to stay that particular year. I really doubt this basic approach of take the inborns you like and leave the rest of the spots for outborns is different between almost any institution or progam.

Now, as to whether long-term inbreeding is good, either for the institution or the individual is a genuinely interesting topic. My bias is that to go from medical student to resident to fellow to faculty in the same institution is a bit limiting in one's perspective, but seems to occur (or most of the loop) often because of spousal/family reaons. Just going from fellow to faculty at the same institution is extremely common and can often be justified based on K08 and similar research mentoring situations.

Regards

OBP

 

[chicubs1116]

Well this has nothing to do with the topic that has been talked about before but I am a current intern in peds interested in NICU for a fellowship and looking to go to the midwest for it. I was wonderingif anyone had any advice on what to do while in residency to better my chances at a spot and to know how competitive it is to get a neonatology fellowship. I guess I am looking for basic guidance.

Thanks for any help.

 

[kickazzz2000]

Kick ass during all rotations, but kick total ass during your nicu rotation as an intern.

Another good thing to do is try to do your senior month of nicu as early as possible your second year.

That will score you a good letter from your neonatal attending (s), which goes a long way.


In general, you can get a nicu fellowship. It is "competetive" if there are one or two places that you have your heart set on (which I am finding out currently).

But if you have an open mind, you will most definitely score some interviews at great programs. I am surprised by some of the big names that have come calling.

 

[BPD]

Its bad from a purely selfish standpoint, in the context of residents becoming fellows.

I want to go there.


Now the issue of whether residents becoming fellows or fellows staying on as faculty is good or not, thats a different discussion!!

Anyone intervewing at Harvard this year?

Thanks

 

[nicumd]

kickazz, if you want to know more i allready went to an interview at emory, the first 2 year fellows come from emory but i think the rest from elsewhere. they do pay for hotel which is nice. i heard from columbia also but need to schedule it. no word from boston children.

 

[kickazzz2000]

Whose got the scoop on Cincinnati Children's? I'm going there next week. Have heard nothing but good things.

 

[kickazzz2000]

Anyone know anything about UCLA?

Brown?

 

[jackjinju]

Brown is an excellent program. I'd say in the tier right underneath CHOP, Boston and Columbia in the Northeast/New England region. They have a very high volume program (9-10,000 deliveries a year). They are also quite strong from a research perspective, as well.
Only negatives I can think of is that the NICU is a little overcrowded, as they're gonna build a new one within the next few years, and that they don't have ECMO. You can rotate through Mass General for ECMO if you like.

Hope this helps. Don't know about Cincy or UCLA, other than their excellent reps.

 

[BPD]

Whats the update on guys starting in 2007? Has anyone signed contracts as yet? I know a lot of places have already made offers!

Thanks

 

[kickazzz2000]

Got an offer from DC Children's Yesterday.

Got 7 more interviews remaining, canceled 99.9999% of them.


Does anyone know anything about Yale and WashU?

I know that Brown is good, and i've heard about Baylor.


Geographically, DC Childrens fits me best, being on the east coast, and halfway between my fiance's family (South Jersey) and mine (Charlotte).


The only thing bugging me is the call schedule, and even more than that, the fact that you are on with just yourself and a senior resident. No Intern, no NP's on at night for a 40+ bed unit. I worry that my call nights will be spent perfecting being a NICU resident, rather than stepping back and being able to put out "fellow level" fires, and whether this will have an adverse affect on my clinical training.

 

[Fabio]

Hey,
I found this forum kinda late and thought I'd jump in...

I am applying for 2007. I know everyone says to go with your gut, but the pressure of making a decision is starting to weigh on me since I have to commit in the next couple weeks or so. Here are the places I looked at, what do y'all think?

Boston Children's
Brown
CHOP
Cincinnati
DC Children's
Emory
Pitt

I think clinical training will be good at any of these places. I am mainly concerned with cost/quality of living in these cities and people who aren't a pain to be around, in general - are the fellows happy/supported or overworked/frustrated at any of these places?

Thanks in advance. I can offer input on any of these places where I interviewed, if anyone has any questions.

 

[BPD]

CHOP, Boston Children's and Cincinnati are the best amongst your list. I think the final decision should depend upon research interests.
What was the interview exp at Bostona and CHOP like? Did you get offers from all these places?
Thanks

 

[oldbearprofessor]

CHOP, Boston Children's and Cincinnati are the best amongst your list. I think the final decision should depend upon research interests.
What was the interview exp at Bostona and CHOP like? Did you get offers from all these places?
Thanks

Greetings to all of the future neos on this thread. Although I am unwilling to comment (publically at least ) on any specific programs or cities, I agree with the emphasis on the research aspect. Basically, the clinical part and the first year will be similar (and hard) at most of the major programs. It's identifying research areas that you like and the program really can offer that will make the next 2 years (and your ultimate career) be good ones. So, even if you aren't sure what your exact research interests are or might be, try to find out what range of basic AND clinical opportunities the program has and what research fellows with backgrounds similar to yours have done in recent years.

And a reminder, it IS late in the season already for 2007 applicants, so.....

Regards

OBP

 

[jackjinju]

Hi,

I'll be going to one of the programs on your list, and I interviewed at three of 'em.....feel free to pirvate message me.....I agree with what BPD said about which the best programs are amongst those, but I think your research interests/geographical preferences would be the primary reasons to choose one over the other.

Andrew

 

[hokiedoc2005]

Well this has nothing to do with the topic that has been talked about before but I am a current intern in peds interested in NICU for a fellowship and looking to go to the midwest for it. I was wonderingif anyone had any advice on what to do while in residency to better my chances at a spot and to know how competitive it is to get a neonatology fellowship. I guess I am looking for basic guidance.

Thanks for any help.

I am also an intern interested in a NICU fellowship....When should I start writing programs for information and consequently applying to these programs?

Thanks!

 

[jackjinju]

I am also an intern interested in a NICU fellowship....When should I start writing programs for information and consequently applying to these programs?

Thanks!

Well, I guess you can ask for information or look at program's website whenever u like, but I would apply during the Late Fall/Winter of your second year.

Good luck!

 

[kickazzz2000]

I would almost say to get things started in August. Definitely look at programs now and this summer, but get those things filled out in late summer. The important thing is to have letters of rec ready, so I would start asking for those sooner rather than later. My applications were all done by september, but letters didnt get fully done and turned in until early November. Delayed me on several places, including one which was my first choice. I did not get to interview there as they were already filled by the time I had barely started interviewing.

 

[jackjinju]

I would almost say to get things started in August. Definitely look at programs now and this summer, but get those things filled out in late summer. The important thing is to have letters of rec ready, so I would start asking for those sooner rather than later. My applications were all done by september, but letters didnt get fully done and turned in until early November. Delayed me on several places, including one which was my first choice. I did not get to interview there as they were already filled by the time I had barely started interviewing.

Good point about the letters of rec....I actually had everything in around September as I recall......but I was one of the first people to interview, or so they told me.

 

[BPD]

Anyone have any idea about the pros and cons of the Boston's Children's program
Thanks

 

[jackjinju]

Anyone have any idea about the pros and cons of the Boston's Children's program
Thanks
Tushar

Hi, This is all just based on an interview day, so take it with a grain of salt.....it was also over a year ago.

Off the top of my head, I remember thinking that the clinical exposure, particualrly at B&W was outstanding. Very busy, but also a really beautiful, high-tech looking NICU. Certainly the research expectations were amazing, particularly if you like basic science, as you have the resources of the Harvard hospitals, Harvard U., and MIT at your disposal. Great MPH school if you're interested in getting a degree. One of the top programs in the US if you wanna go into Academics.

Cons were that you had a very busy call schedule, as you have to cover 4 hospitals (BID, MGH, B&W and BC), so I remember that the fellows were basically q4-q5 for all three years. Also, Boston is an expensive city, and my impression was that, like lots of other academic powerhouses, if you wanna stay on as an attending there, you start at a pretty low salary. (100K or less).

Overall, it was my #2 choice, and I think you would be fantastically trained., particularly for an academic/research oriented career.

Hope this helps!

Andrew

 

[kickazzz2000]

Anyone have any thoughts on Johns Hopkins?

 

[choco]

Just wanted to add some input to this great thread!

Once I finished interviewing at Cincinnati, Boston, UCLA, Harbor-UCLA, UCSD, and Cedars (which I did not get into) I decided on San Diego mainly because of the program director's (Dr. Finer) commitment to clinical research something that none of the above programs were really that strong about.

As much as both Boston and Cincinatii have strong research, both are very weak when it comes to having resources to do clinical research.
And for myself someone who isn't a Ph.D and doesn't want to practice in a lab, doing clinical research allows you to improve your clinical skills as well, which studying fetal lamb lungs doesn't quite allow. And while Dr. Alan Jobe and Stella Kourembanas are very accomplished people; unless you want to practice like them, they both really want their fellows do go into research and not practice.

As far as Harbor and UCLA go, both are very weak on overall research and clinical exposure. Email me if you have other questions.

 

[kickazzz2000]

I think i'm gonna go with St. Louis Children's.

Go west.