I went to school at Buffalo and know the program pretty well.
Intern year: 3 units (1 CCU, 2 MICU)
3 electives- Cardiology, Pulmonology and ER
6 floors (consisting of 1 night float)
3 weeks vacation ( either all at once or 2 and 1 week blocks)
They do have a night float system so you never work more than 80hrs/week, usually 50-60 unless you are slow. For the intern year you rotate through VA, Buffalo General (semi-private) ECMC (county) and Millard Gates (semi-private) each has its good side and bad side. The department of Medicine is pretty weak, it has a lot of FMGs (this is good and bad) They are all very nice but there are sometimes cultural differences that people may not be used to. Most of them were attendings in their own countries and many are smarter than the attendings. The PD and assistant PD are out of touch with the program (the assist-PD isn't even and MD), the ancillary staff is ok but very disorganized. I guess it doesn't matter because you are only there for a year, so you are just there to work...
Anesthesia- rotate through the same hospitals in addition to Roswell Park cancer institute and Buffalo Children's. I think the program is getting better, Dr. Lema is a great Chair with national recognition. Unfortunately this prestige doesn't filter down through the program so surgery treats the gas-passers like 2nd class citizens. I think the caseload is decent but not great.
The city of Buffalo is nice when there isn't any snow on the ground or it isn't below 30... equalling about 5months of the year. Easy living with nice people.
Would I recommend Buffalo... not really. If you can go so place better in a warmer city then go there. I know people in the program who are happy, but most of them didn't have a choice or didn't see any of the "better" programs. Hope this helps.
