Struggling Johns Hopkins Program

[jhresident]

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It appears that the JH program is having a real hard time retaining its young new faculty members (3 have departed over the last year for other institutions)... Turnaround is becoming quite a problem here and has led to a few misadministrations of therapy and deteriorating patient care. Also, there are rumors that some of the physics faculty (traditionally the strongest part of the department) are looking for jobs elsewhere. Please keep these developments in mind when devising your match lists for residency (even though there may not be much choice with radoc).

 

[Gfunk6]

Sounds like an applicant this year really wants to match at JH badly . . .

 

[OldBay]

Who are the three faculty members that left over the past year? I have to agree with GFunk, you don't sound like any of the JH residents that I met this year.

 

[neutron reaper]

I didn't get that impression when I was there. Everybody seemed pleased under the leadership of Dr. DeWeese.

 

[Pointless]

I would like to add that all of the programs that I am applying to are also really horrible, malignant atmospheres. Just some food for thought, I don't want anyone to change their ROL or anything.

 

[yeasterbunny]

lol, thanks for the heads-up man. I'll be sure to leave Hopkins off my list entirely.

Nice touch creating an entirely new account for this one bogus post, btw.

 

[Cancerdancer]

Would echo that I met a few of the Hopkins students on the trail this year, good people. While having frank discussions about places we had rotated/visited/interviewed at, they ALL glowed about their home program. I trust them.

 

[deleted4401]

Curious about the motives ... do they really think a last minute hit on a program would cause someone to change their ROL? It's like politics, where you release that one issue ad two days before the election ...

Once upon a time, RO had to beg for applicants ...

S

 

[karlranck]

that was really funny...gave me a good laugh in the middle of another long ICU day.

 

[jhresident]

The three attendings that left are:

The head and neck attending (Dr. GB) who now is in provate practice in DC
One of the junior attendings (Dr. MY) who is now in Florida
The pediatric attending (Dr. OS) leaving in May for private.

 

[koolaidkid]

the dude abides. as does the JHH program. if any one has issues / questions about the program, it would definitely be more prudent to get the LD from a resident directly, and I'm sure there are plenty whom you could speak with.

I heard that Harvard was struggling too. Not only that, but I heard they're only taking one person this year due to funding cuts and citations for violations of work hours ; )

 

[koolaidkid]

btw, I did a rotation at JHH. MY was more of a fellow/resident who joined faculty in FL. lack of knowledge makes posting suspect. hmmmm....

 

[Mulletfluf]

I can sympathize with your anxiety if this is a ploy to increase your likelihood of matching into JH. There have been more than a few things that I applied for and would have loved to have gotten. Given the option to sway things in my favor I may have acted in a similar fashion. However, I caution you against doing so. If JH got wind of your attempt to alter their match outcome, would they want you there? Most likely not. Also this is a very small field and if you are found out I can assure you many will not forget your actions.

I apologize If I am wrong about your intentions and please disregard the above posting.

 

[stephew]

The three attendings that left are:

The head and neck attending (Dr. GB) who now is in provate practice in DC
One of the junior attendings (Dr. MY) who is now in Florida
The pediatric attending (Dr. OS) leaving in May for private.

ok guys. first of all, do not flame other users.

as for these people

1) had personal reasons for his initial and subsequent career choice. That spot was filled .

2) was only there as a sort of part-attending in a holding pattern. AS stated, more of a fellow (but not really a fellow)

I am surprised at #3 but it sounds like he decided to change career course. I dont know what motivated that decision.

Im sure its a hard time with change (especially with OS leaving) but i dont think you have big picture context. JHH has undergone very nice growth in the last few years and aside from turing the chair's mustache a littler grayer, I think it will come through this bit unscathed. I do hear the residents are far happier now there than ever. I say this as someone who has had real citicisms of the place during their time there.

 

[stephew]

the dude abides. as does the JHH program. if any one has issues / questions about the program, it would definitely be more prudent to get the LD from a resident directly, and I'm sure there are plenty whom you could speak with.

I heard that Harvard was struggling too. Not only that, but I heard they're only taking one person this year due to funding cuts and citations for violations of work hours ; )

oh and btw, JHH DID have citations for work house violations in IM a few years ago. The residency program was under threat though no one ever really worried about it and sure enough they got a reprieve after "making necessary changes".

 

[xraydude]

Ok - so the three of them were wimps - no actually just kidding - I know two of them very well, and their leaving had nothing to do with JHU, but rather personal decisions for personal reasons.

While the strength of a program does depend on its faculty, there are many other factors including the strength of the residents there, the ancillary services, the chairman (an his/her vision), and the strength of the institution.

While it's a period of change, those positions will be filled by the time a new applicant becomes a resident.

PS - I heard Stephew was going to take one of those slots, as it was warmer than Boston - JUST KIDDING!

 

[stephew]

its not that much warmer.

 

[stephew]

btw those coming to acro will see a bit in my talk about junior staff and academics...

 

[realJHHresident]

I’m a PGY 4 currently at Hopkins and just discussed this post from “jhresident” with other current residents and it is our opinion that:

1. this post is clearly not from someone who is actually a resident at JHH radiation oncology
2. jhresident did not write this out of an altruistic concern that this year’s applicants might rank JHH too high
3. the spirit with which this post was created does not reflect the esprit de corp of our program.

Contrary to the post, my impression is that JHH rad onc is flourishing. The clinic is busy (that’s a good thing) and exciting research projects in clinical rad onc, physics/engineering, basic science and health services abound. I wouldn’t trade my residency spot with anyone in the country.

 

[stephew]

I think that is great for the JHH group to post their true impressions of the place, whatever they may be. Im even happier that they are positive.

I would encourage folks not try to over-ascribe motives to other users. Let the facts speak for themselves. Such editorials really don't help and really can potentially backfire and make your post look just as political rather than earnest in your defense. I appreciate you want to stand up for your program and I'm very pleased to hear how well things are going. that does seem to be the consensus out there about JHH training.