Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans

[NdSea]

I'm seriously considering ranking this program. Does anyone have any insight or feedback about this program. I know it's not a top tear program but I get the feeling it's probably the strongest and possibly the most stable program in New Orleans. That is my opinion after interviewing at LSU and Tulane as well. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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[Trekkie963]

I am afraid I don't know anything about Ochsner, but I did interview at Tulane. I am surprised to hear that after visiting the university programs in the city you might think that this community program is stronger. Tulane in particular has a program director who is quite well-known nationwide and is extraordinarily devoted to resident education at Tulane. I think that program is quite strong (and getting stronger).

 

[IVIG]

I have a few medical school classmates who trained at Ochsner (IM residency) and know a few students and residents went on to train there for residency and fellowship.
Yes, it is a very solid program that provides a good clinical and teaching experience. It is resident friendly. You also have opportunity to pursue fellowships there. I would say it is a high ranking community program. It has a good reputation for cards.

Tulane probably has a better national reputation (name is known because it has a medical school). Tulane's clinical experience and teaching is also good. The administration is very supportive of it's residents.

I think your decision just comes down to what kind of an environment (community or academic) you feel you will learn the most in.

 

[LPMDLP]

Without a doubt Ochsner is the strongest IM program in Louisiana. I have rotated there, and the residents are very happy. They have a nice mix of indigent and private pay patients and a good lifestyle. The facilities and technology are amazing, much more like the Ritz than a hospital (they even have robots that run errands throughout the campus). There's a lot of good teaching and according to the residents they have the highest board pass rate in the area-- also the highest salary too! I don't know much about research there, but I know a lot of the residents are well published. And It seems they compete well for fellowships. I'd rank 'em.

 

[Trifling Jester]

I'd seriously reconsider. Look into where the residents go for fellowships for GI and cards, which will give you a good indication of how highly regarded the residency program is. When I was applying Oschner didn't really take their own residents for GI or cards, but residents from LSU and Tulane matched into Oschner's spots for those fellowships. To me, that was an important fact to note.

-The Trifling Jester

 

[NdSea]

I'd seriously reconsider. Look into where the residents go for fellowships for GI and cards, which will give you a good indication of how highly regarded the residency program is. When I was applying Oschner didn't really take their own residents for GI or cards, but residents from LSU and Tulane matched into Oschner's spots for those fellowships. To me, that was an important fact to note.

-The Trifling Jester

Well i ended up ranking Ochsner after all... in my top 5 as a matter of fact. The program from what I understand has taken a turn for the better after Katrina. From what i've been told and heard from people in New Orleans is that before the storm it was definately LSU #1, Tulane #2, Ochsner #3. But with LSU taking such a big hit and losing Charity Hospital (main training hospital) and a great number of their faculty Ochsner reaped the benefits of picking up a large chunk of their patient population. Tulane was effected to a lesser extent then LSU but Ochsner was essentially left untouched. That being the case with all the money and resources that Ochsner being a private hospital they pretty much became the main tertiary referal center in the city and thus their residency programs have benefited. So my point is even though you are probably correct on the fact that Tulane and even LSU are bigger names and place their residents into Ochsner fellowships in recent years the those applicants matching at Ochsner have been much stronger and are likely to move into Ochsner fellowships. They take a lot of their own people. My understanding is that LSU has now become the #3 program and Tulane and Ochsner are now battling for #1. Outside of Louisiana, Ochsner may not be as well recognized of a name but it appears the program is now one of the stronger ones. I could be completely wrong on this but that is the impression that I got.

 

[Trifling Jester]

So my point is even though you are probably correct on the fact that Tulane and even LSU are bigger names and place their residents into Ochsner fellowships in recent years the those applicants matching at Ochsner have been much stronger and are likely to move into Ochsner fellowships. They take a lot of their own people. (ed emphasis mine)

It's a moot point, since you've already submitted your rank list, and I hesitate to post this since everyone wants to tout their own program. But my point was that they don't actually take a lot of their own people for these competitive specialties. this is a link to where their graduates have ended up:

http://academics.ochsner.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=7560

You'll note that they took one of their own applicants for cardiology in 2004. They took no internal applicants in 2005, 2006, or 2007. (They were also unable to match anyone to any outside programs in this field during this time frame) For a program that takes 8 cardiology fellows per year I was surprised that they did not reserve at least one spot for an internal applicant. Many other programs do this.

Now, you may be right that they are attacting better applicants since Katrina. If that's the case then you wouldn't see any results until the 2009 matriculants.

Best of luck with your intern year,
The Trifling Jester

 

[LPMDLP]

In the current third year group several Ochsner residents will be going to Ochsner cards (at least two to cards that I know of), and others to Ochsner oncology, renal, rheumatology, etc. Those that wanted outside fellowships got them without any problems. Others got hospitalist positions all around the country. Trifling Jester, your data is clear-- last year of 8 applicants seeking fellowship positions 5 chose to stay at Ochsner and a 6th chose an Ochsner/LSU combined program (pulm/cc). The remaining folks got excellent fellowship positions. Believe me, not everyone wants to go into cards or even fellowship-- I sure don't. NdSea I definitely think you are right-- Ochsner has emerged as one of the front runners. And the biggest advantage over all the others? The residents at Ochsner are HAPPY. I've worked with them and that's clear to see. They have a reasonable lifestyle, great working environment, and they all LIKE going to work. It makes a HUGE difference. Good rank list choice.

 

[NdSea]

It's a moot point, since you've already submitted your rank list, and I hesitate to post this since everyone wants to tout their own program. But my point was that they don't actually take a lot of their own people for these competitive specialties. this is a link to where their graduates have ended up:

http://academics.ochsner.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=7560

You'll note that they took one of their own applicants for cardiology in 2004. They took no internal applicants in 2005, 2006, or 2007. (They were also unable to match anyone to any outside programs in this field during this time frame) For a program that takes 8 cardiology fellows per year I was surprised that they did not reserve at least one spot for an internal applicant. Many other programs do this.

Now, you may be right that they are attacting better applicants since Katrina. If that's the case then you wouldn't see any results until the 2009 matriculants.

Best of luck with your intern year,
The Trifling Jester

Jester, I do truly appreciate your feedback. Your point about cardiology placement is true. But I believe that not everyone wants to go into Cards or GI such as myself. The program does well placing people into fellowships in house and in outside programs. The 2009 class will prove how competitive the applicants have becomes post katrina and the numbers that the previous poster has hinted on are quite promising. You are correct the ROL is in and everything we so now is definately a moot point but I just wanted to get some feedback from people since I kind of slid the program into my top 5 last minute because of a gut feeling. After looking at the program more and more I don't regret it. Seems like a great place.