Programs in academic cities

[Zoloft]

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Many people have commented to me that programs in academic oriented cities have a huge advantage over other places. What do you guys feel about this? For example, places like Boston and New York have many top notch programs and many of the faculty tend to jump back and forth between different institutions throughout the course of their careers. Plus there is a lot of collaborative work that occurs among these different institutions. Also, there are path society meetings where all of the faculty and residents come together from all of the different programs and can mix and mingle. This is great for establishing contacts in different institutions. How important do you think this is when it comes to building a career?

 

[PathOne]

hmm, don't underestimate that there can very often be severe competition and jealousy between academic programs, especially if they're close to each other. I am currently doing research in New York, and have certainly noticed a fairly high degree of mutual bad-mouthing between different institutions, and a high degree of separation to boot. You'd be liable to make at least as many contacts by attending USCAP meetings and courses as shooting specifically at a large city. Choose a program that takes residency training seriously and don't overwhelm you with routine stuff, and you'll do great.

 

[Zoloft]

hmm, don't underestimate that there can very often be severe competition and jealousy between academic programs, especially if they're close to each other. I am currently doing research in New York, and have certainly noticed a fairly high degree of mutual bad-mouthing between different institutions, and a high degree of separation to boot. You'd be liable to make at least as many contacts by attending USCAP meetings and courses as shooting specifically at a large city. Choose a program that takes residency training seriously and don't overwhelm you with routine stuff, and you'll do great.

How can you tell if programs are going to overwhelm you with routine stuff? I am assuming by looking at the number of PAs, volume, etc.. Back to academic cities, I did a surg path rotation in NYC recently and felt that there were many opportunities to meet residents and faculty from other institutions. Alot of the residents actually had friends at other programs. I know there is always going to be competition, but can this help with landing jobs later, etc.?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I can see how in big academic cities like NYC and Boston, there can be a lot of competition. And some may perceive the situation as, "one man for him/herself." However, my gut feeling is that wherever there is competition, there are allegiances and factions. Your friends can be at your home institution or at a neighboring institution. The same applies to your so called rivals.

After we match and complete residency, my impression is that connections are the key to landing successful positions. Most of us will have similar qualifications at the end of our training. I hate the politics behind medicine and academic research; however, I realize that one cannot ignore it and distance him/herself from it. So Zoloft, my answer to your question is I think it is extremely important to mix and mingle with other pathologists; this is essential to building a career.

 

[desmangt]

How can you tell if programs are going to overwhelm you with routine stuff? I am assuming by looking at the number of PAs, volume, etc.. Back to academic cities, I did a surg path rotation in NYC recently and felt that there were many opportunities to meet residents and faculty from other institutions. Alot of the residents actually had friends at other programs. I know there is always going to be competition, but can this help with landing jobs later, etc.?

Yeah I think Andy has a good point (but he usually does, so...). Big academic cities are a great opportunity. Boston has three Harvard-based hospitals. I think there are many amazing opportunities to collaborate. The same thing for NYC. I would view this as a bonus though, not as a decision maker. I do know that alot of residents in NYC will rotate at other hospitals that have a particular strength in a certain field. For example, many residents will do a month or two at Montefiore or NYU for cytopath, or Sinai for GI/derm, or Cornell for Heme. It can be a good way to make connections, especially since path society mettings happen like 2-3 times a month. I met Leo Koss last year during a path society meeting. Needless to say, I was very nervous.

 

[Zoloft]

I can see how in big academic cities like NYC and Boston, there can be a lot of competition. And some may perceive the situation as, "one man for him/herself." However, my gut feeling is that wherever there is competition, there are allegiances and factions. Your friends can be at your home institution or at a neighboring institution. The same applies to your so called rivals.

After we match and complete residency, my impression is that connections are the key to landing successful positions. Most of us will have similar qualifications at the end of our training. I hate the politics behind medicine and academic research; however, I realize that one cannot ignore it and distance him/herself from it. So Zoloft, my answer to your question is I think it is extremely important to mix and mingle with other pathologists; this is essential to building a career.

I am assuming this is why so many famous pathologists come out of these two cities. Thanks! I was amazed by how many famous pathologists (still there or now at other places) did some part of their training in NYC and Boston.