The hospitals in Manhattan, Bronx, Queens have their own coverage area. NYMC (Westchester Med Ctr) covers the area approx 30 miles N of manhattan up to Albany border, the eastern-most tip of PA, and western part of CT (approx 3.6 million people as of 2004). I agree, they seem to see every pathology imaginable, and fly people in from a large area of NY and elsewhere (it's the ONLY certified level 1 trauma that includes both peds and adult in the state of NY...also 2 STAT flight helicopters). If you make it through the program, you should be well prepared for private practice or fellowships. They're also one of 4 transplant centers in NY, but I don't think they currently do heart, although a new suite is being bulit to start it up again? They're known for their trauma/critical care (they have fellowship there...I heard that at least one chief is going to Hopkins for TCC. I think they also now have a laparoscopic fellowship...have to check. The new childrens hospital also houses the adult ER in a separate wing, which was really nice. The chairman Dr Savino is intimidating, but tough for a reason like many other chairman...but he's known to make the phone calls to get people places. If you like the suburbs (Westchester is quite nice and affluent county, actually 2nd most affluent county in the US according the most recent US census), maybe this is for you as the program seem to be stable, although going through many changes, and will make you a good surgeon.
