Spark a discussion: Best Programs

[eyeguyhopeful]

I wish this thread was more active as it was in the past. In any case, it's fun to spark a discussion on these "top programs" and your thoughts.

According to Doximity 2018:
1. Wills/Jefferson
2. Bascom Palmer/Miami
3. Wilmer/Hopkins
4. Iowa
5. MEEI/Harvard
6. UCLA
7. Duke
8. Michigan
9. UCSF
10. Utah
11. USC
12. Baylor

According to Ophthalmology Times 2018 (best residency programs):
1. Bascom Palmer/Miami
2. Wills/Jefferson
3. Wilmer/Hopkins
4. Iowa
5. Duke
6. Michigan
7. MEEI
8. UCLA
9. Dean McGee/Oklahoma
10. Storm Eye/MUSC
11. Casey/Oregon
12. Utah

According to 2018-2019 spreadsheet, the programs that were ranked by the most number of applicants in the top 3 were (n=250):
1. Bascom
2. Wills
3. Iowa
4. UCLA
5. MEEI
6. Michigan
7. Colorado
8. UTSW
9. Duke
10. Oklahoma

Just interesting data. I post this to hopefully start some kind of interesting discussion as we near the application cycle 🙂

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[hoosierdude]

All of the above are great programs. They all likely provide exceptional training. However, each applicant must decide for themselves the fit of the program. Many programs not listed above will provide exceptional training as well. Sure, the big names will make it easier for fellowship matching, but the atmosphere, resident cohesiveness, location, call burden, type of learning (e.g., shadowing mostly versus autonomous mostly or self learning for OKAPs versus very didactic based, etc...) matter most. The best program for one person will not be the best for another.

However, there is a tendency for big name programs to have a stronger referral network and connections which can get you in the discussion for a job interview or fellowship interview a little easier. But, if you have a bad attitude, your ability to communicate and connect with patients is lacking, or you are not a team player, it doesn't matter which program you go to — you’re going to have some difficulty ahead.

So, rest easy, no matter the place you match at you can still find yourself making a difference. Just work hard, be kind, and try to relax.

 

[ball123]

From a reputation standpoint, I think all of these are top tier programs except Storm Eye/MUSC. I was fortunate to interview at some of these programs, and on the trail, I noticed that Bascom, Wills, Iowa, Wilmer, Duke, and MEEI generally have the best reputation. People will say “oh we got a new cornea/retina faculty from Bascom/Iowa/Wills, etc” to try to sell you their program. All the other programs like Moran, Kellogg, etc. probably have a reputation that is just notch below the above 6.

Now from a training standpoint, I don’t think you can go wrong with any. There are so many “unranked” programs that have excellent training!! The number of primary cataract surgeries has only gone up from yesteryears and continues to rise. Residents are better trained than ever. I would have been very happy with the training I received at nearly all programs where I interviewed!

Some programs like NYEE and Emory used to be “top-notch” but during my interview, I could tell their reputation has decreased over the years. Emory had a bit of turnover and their past chair is now at Mayo. The same is true of NYEE especially with the merger with Mt. Sinai. But obv. still great programs.

 

[Twoeyes2020]

Residencies are in a race for last place, ha ha! All residencies have some flaws. Residencies may excel in having an exceptionally good cataract surgery teacher that reviews the videos of surgery and makes pointers, in addition to pointers during the surgery. I know a program with a great reputation but the residents feel they barely have catarct surgery skills. This is not to excuse a program with great surgery numbers AND surgical teaching from not having good teaching as far as lectures and in-clinic teaching.

Some residencies claim good teaching and some actually have superb lectures or informal teaching but some aren't so great.

Some residencies have 2-3 full time faculty in every sub-specialty. In some of those programs, maybe all are good teachers. Or some may be not interested in teaching, making them worse than the program with one sub-specialist that really teaches well.

Some residencies lack a VA hospital, which is a great resource.

If I had a list, it would be different for "Best residency for someone interested in academic retina" vs. "Best residency for someone interested in neuro-ophthalmology private practice" vs. "Best residency for someone in private practice general ophthalmology with no uveitis person in the area", etc.

I look at the pediatric ophthalmology experience I had. We had several faculty in our program. What if there were only two? What if you had to choose a program with the following peds ophtho facultL: Dr. Awesome and Dr. Let Me Operate vs. Dr. Stupid only vs. Dr. Dumb, Dr. Doesn't Care, Dr. Grouchy So You're Afraid to Ask, Dr. Malignant, and Dr. Doesn't Care Either vs. Dr. Smart but does things only one way?