programs w/ Spanish-speaking pts?

[docflanny]

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As a D.O. student beginning my fourth year, a major dilemma that has crept into the picture is I would like to be in an EM program that has exposure to Spanish-speaking patients (Spanish major in undergrad). If you are a resident or have rotated at hospitals with significant Spanish-speaking patients, please let me know.

Most osteopathic programs are not located in locations with significant Hispanic populations, so I'm considering applying to ACGME programs following an osteopathic internship year.

Thanks to Quinn and others, it seems that ACGME programs will not take issue to not having a USMLE score, particularly if you performed well on the COMLEX.

Also, does anyone have any advice about going to ACGME interviews if you while doing an osteopathic intership. It would seem difficult to get sufficient time to go on interview trips.

 

[tonem]

Anywhere in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas will have a very high number of Spanish speaking patients. Kern County (Bakersfield, CA) has been very DO friendly in the past.

 

[mkmk]

ucsf-fresno 91-4yrs) has a lotta lotta spanish speaking immigrants, don't know their stance on DO's but they've taken residents who have completed other specialty training (for which they were not entitled to federal funding).

 

[DrQuinn]

All of the programs here in FL are pretty heavily-Spanish'ed... due to the migrant worker population here that picks all of your tropicana oranges. Probably the same throughout the Southeast... because they're also called "migrant" because they migrate throughout the year... in the summer I think they can end up as far as Michigan or Ohio to pick those crops.

And as for interviewing during hte DO internship, I knew some interns that did it when I was a third year, but it was a pain in the ass (had to sneak it by the GME office, use their vacation time, etc). No need to do the DO internship my friend, but that's another topic.

My two elective EM rotations in the mideast (Philly and Baltimore) had minimal Spanish patients... although those rotations were only for one month each.

Q, DO

 

[Apollyon]

New York City is also loaded, and, believe it or not, Duke (the signs here are in English and Spanish); there's a large Mexican-American population in Durham.

When I was in New York (at Elmhurst), my Spanish went from negligible to passable; I can now differentiate dialects and accents, curse, and order in a restaurant. The patient base is incredible.

 

[edinOH]

There are exactly 127 EM programs in the U.S. where you are likely to encounter spanish speaking patients.

 

[tonem]

True. Some more than others.

 

[pinbor1]

The chicago programs generally have a relatively high spanish speaking population. I believe that out we have the second largest mexican american population in the states (LA has more). I can tell you that Illinois Masonic ( one of the UIC sites) has a sizable Puerto Rican population.

Other places that I remember interviewing at that had pretty sizable spanish speaking populations were the CA programs, Maricopa, UNM, Hennepin Co.


Good luck

 

[docB]

You should definitely check out the Maricopa County program in Phoenix. They see a population that is 40% Spanish speaking. Their PD is a great guy named Paul Blackburn and he's a DO. They had a really cool attitude about learning Spanish when I interviewed there several years ago. They didn't demand that you know Spanish but they demanded that you be open to learning it. I think they even had some didactics on it in their program.

 

[Califlower]

I used to volunteer at Women's and Children's at the LAC/USC. Being a county hospital providing service to the under-privileged and poor, you're more likely to run into a hodge-podge of ethnicities. MOST being Mexicans, Guatemalans, etc. I noticed that many doctors have picked up some Spanish along their training... e.g. "dolor aqui? o aqui? Donde??" and rely heavily on translators and RNs, LVNs, etc. who speak the language. I probably learned more Spanish at this hospital than during all 5 years of Spanish classes I took in JR HS and HS! Bilingual?! More Power to you!

 

[mountebank]

Don't forget NYC....plenty of great programs there. Try Jacobi in the Bronx, St.Lukes-Roosevelt, Cornell-Columbia, and more. Lots of spanish speakers and a great night life too!

 

[docflanny]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had been looking into several of the programs you've all mentioned.

One issue with Maricopa, that I find unfortunate, is they state they're unwilling to accept D.O.s following an internship because of federal funding. Even though, the final year is 50% reimbursed by HCFA, I guess this isn't enough. Otherwise, Maricopa really seemed like a great program.

I just received information from Methodist in Chicago this past week. I'm excited to know there's a significant Puerto Rican population there. How is the area surrounding Methodist?

Quinn, an intern at my base hospital is from Tampa wants to do residency there. She's also cuban and speaks Spanish well. Are there many Spanish speakers at Tampa General?

Also. since I'm originally from Minnesota, I had been looking into a rotation at Hennepin County, but noticed that none of the attendings or residents are D.O.s Additionally, since they're one of the better EM programs, does anyone know if D.O.s have been interviewed or seriously considered there before? I'd hate to use up an "audition rotation at a hospital that wouldn't consider me as a potential resident."

I appreciate everyone's advice...keep it coming.

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by docflanny
Quinn, an intern at my base hospital is from Tampa wants to do residency there. She's also cuban and speaks Spanish well. Are there many Spanish speakers at Tampa General?

Also. since I'm originally from Minnesota, I had been looking into a rotation at Hennepin County, but noticed that none of the attendings or residents are D.O.s Additionally, since they're one of the better EM programs, does anyone know if D.O.s have been interviewed or seriously considered there before? I'd hate to use up an "audition rotation at a hospital that wouldn't consider me as a potential resident."

I appreciate everyone's advice...keep it coming.

Among my residents, none of us really speak Spanish. There is always a nurse or a tech or someone who does speak Spanish, but in the past month that I've been in the ED, we've always had a family member who was there to translate. Speaking Spanish is definately a plus. I would tell your friend to definately apply. I don't quite know yet what the PD is looking for in their applicants, but he wants us involved in the interview process so when I find out more i'll let you know.

Where in Minnesota are you from? I have lots of family in the SW corner. Anywyas, I applied to one of the MN MD EM residencies... can't remember if it was Hennepin or the other. Got rejected. That program had one DO in it, whihc is why I applied. But since they're from your home state, that may help you. On ERAS its only a few dollars to apply to each program. And about an audition rotation, that's your call.

You COULD be the "first DO" in that program. Which would be great for you and anyone in your footsteps. Talk to the Program Director. Be frank with him. They may just say "We don't take DOs... no offense." THen you know your answer.

Q, DO

 

[docflanny]

Quinn,


I'm from a suburb of St. Paul. Thanks for your advice again about applying to allopathic programs.

I was just looking for information about the EM residency on the TGH website, without success. I'll have to look a little closer. Also, is there student housing available, should I decide to do an audition rotation there?

Thanks again,

 

[FoughtFyr]

Originally posted by docflanny
I just received information from Methodist in Chicago this past week. I'm excited to know there's a significant Puerto Rican population there. How is the area surrounding Methodist?

Just a quick FYI - Methodist is in Indianapolis, there are six(?) Chicago programs - UIC, U of C (lots of Spanish on the main campus, less during suburban experiences), Resurrection (more Polish, less Spanish than the others - but you do trauma at County), Cook County Hospital (lots of Spanish), Northwestern, and Advocate/Christ.

With the "Illinois Medical Corridor", most of these programs rotate sites, and there is significant interaction between residents of the various programs. There is a very significant Spanish speaking population (Puerto Rican and others) in Chicago. Almost any of these programs will give you lots of exposure.

IMHO - if you want exposure of Polish speaking patients, try Resurrection (it is a fantastic program).

- H

 

[MacGyver]

In 40 years, all residency programs will require you to speak Spanish

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by MacGyver
In 40 years, all residency programs will require you to speak Spanish

Three more years of residency... 37 years of practice, I should be out before then. 🙂

Q, DO

 

[tonem]

Yeah but how does the stock market look in 40 years?

 

[DrQuinn]

Originally posted by tonem
Yeah but how does the stock market look in 40 years?

The way I'm masturbating nowadays, I won't be able to see in 20 years, I'll be so blind.

Q, DO

 

[edinOH]

quit looking at your avatar and you won't have that problem. That's what I did.