Some guidance in respect to aways

[parzone]

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Hello everyone- thanks for all your help on here. I was wondering if anyone could help rank the following programs as I'm looking at them for my away rotations. I am interested in a fellowship (unsure of what but I've wanted retina for +10years) and am interested in a program that will lend well to this and to where I could possibly get to know the attendings on my rotation (and which might have the best attendings to get to know).

UAB
Oklahoma
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
MUSC
UT Memphis

On another side note- I am wondering if there is any use in an away rotation beginning in the last week of October. I have an offer for a great rotation at that time, but is there any point since interviews will be starting at that time? Thanks everyone!

 

[guttata]

My info is older, but UAB is supposedly an amazing program. It's also very
unique because residents get to do quite a bit of retina surgery (vitrectomy).
Perhaps a current resident can help qualify that statement.

 

[RestoreSight]

I rotated at Pittsburgh. Great program with a fantastic chairman. They are one of the few programs in the country that maintain a high quality one year surgical retina fellowship, not a two year. Admittingly, glaucoma is stronger at upmc than retina. Can't comment on the others.

 

[m2088]

Hello everyone- thanks for all your help on here. I was wondering if anyone could help rank the following programs as I'm looking at them for my away rotations. I am interested in a fellowship (unsure of what but I've wanted retina for +10years) and am interested in a program that will lend well to this and to where I could possibly get to know the attendings on my rotation (and which might have the best attendings to get to know).

UAB
Oklahoma
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
MUSC
UT Memphis

On another side note- I am wondering if there is any use in an away rotation beginning in the last week of October. I have an offer for a great rotation at that time, but is there any point since interviews will be starting at that time? Thanks everyone!

Hello,

I had a similar question about aways (sorry, not sure if its etiquette for me to start my own thread). I have been accepted to UChicago, Tulane and Arkansas through VSAS.

I was wondering if anyone had thoughts about these programs, or if anyone feels an away at these places was helpful/educational?

Thanks!

 

[taco bell]

I did an away at Tulane, and it was an above average experience. The PD is an extremely nice guy, and devoted to teaching - does some new glaucoma surgeries that I had not seen/heard of before. He lets you attend his surgeries, and is very approachable. There is a lot of shadowing involved when working with him. The Chairman is a tough person to read, very reserved, and you really do not get much interaction with him even if you work with him. It's hard to see pts on your own during the rotation as a whole. If you work with the residents they might let you work pts up and present to them. All of the residents are awesome, very helpful, and happy in general. Great pathology, and surgical numbers. Lots of traveling as a resident as you rotate through several VA hospitals. The one thing about tulane externship is that Research with the department is semi-required if you want to get an honors for the rotation which can be very tough in such a limited time. As a student, you also do a case presentation.

Overall, very pleased with my experience, but hard to stand out. Great department, great pathology, and good surgical numbers. I think this program might be increasing back to 6 residents per year (currently 5 after hurricane katrina)sometime soon if not now. Feel free to PM me for more details, or personal questions

 

[Visionary]

Hello everyone- thanks for all your help on here. I was wondering if anyone could help rank the following programs as I'm looking at them for my away rotations. I am interested in a fellowship (unsure of what but I've wanted retina for +10years) and am interested in a program that will lend well to this and to where I could possibly get to know the attendings on my rotation (and which might have the best attendings to get to know).

UAB
Oklahoma
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
MUSC
UT Memphis

On another side note- I am wondering if there is any use in an away rotation beginning in the last week of October. I have an offer for a great rotation at that time, but is there any point since interviews will be starting at that time? Thanks everyone!

I'd definitely have UAB at the top, especially if you're interested in retina. OK has great volume, but I don't know about their subspecialty strengths. I'd also put Pitt third on your list. Cincy, MUSC, and UTM are probably on equal ground.

As for the October rotation, that is a bit late. If it's at a program you're interested in, may still be worth your time.

 

[123ophtho]

Probably would put the programs in this order overall : Oklahoma, UT, Pitt, UAB, MUSC, Cincy. That being said you can't go wrong with any of these programs. For retina specifically, UAB seemed to be very retina heavy, but I can't comment of how useful an away would be there.