Transitioning from GMO into Civilian Residency

[adismo]

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What is you experience coming out of GMO tour and entering civilian residency?

How hard is it to get PD's to look at your application as a PGY2? (And how is your internship weighted if you come from Trad going into Surgery, or ER etc?

Being that so many residencies are linked or tracked from internship, is it possible to score a PGY2 spot, or are you forced to repeat PGY1 (is that even possible) ?

I'm a DO, Navy GMO in 3 year commitment and now halfway through, definetly considering making a break for it in the civilian world. So this leads into my last question.... with 3 years service, 2 deployments, and some awards would it be smarter to stay in for Gen Surg, ER, or dare I say... Rads.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DiveMD]

What are your numbers/stats? Did you take the USMLE's? What kind of internship you have? Transitional?

 

[BomberDoc]

What is you experience coming out of GMO tour and entering civilian residency?

How hard is it to get PD's to look at your application as a PGY2? (And how is your internship weighted if you come from Trad going into Surgery, or ER etc?

Being that so many residencies are linked or tracked from internship, is it possible to score a PGY2 spot, or are you forced to repeat PGY1 (is that even possible) ?

I'm a DO, Navy GMO in 3 year commitment and now halfway through, definetly considering making a break for it in the civilian world. So this leads into my last question.... with 3 years service, 2 deployments, and some awards would it be smarter to stay in for Gen Surg, ER, or dare I say... Rads.

Thanks in advance.

The civilian residency world looks very favorably on prior military docs. It is not only possible, but quite likely to score a PGY-2 spot in the field of your choice, assuming you have decent stats and aren't a savant. Rads, Gas, surgical subspecialties, etc, are looking for people who aren't the typical cookie-cutter straight through med school type. I would even argue from experience, that you are sought after. This has the effect of negating some things that might hurt traditional applicants. You will get their attention without having 240+ boards, tons of honors in med school, or AOA. I've seen it from others and I've done it myself.

Good luck.

 

[DiveMD]

I agree with BomberDoc that military experience helps; but you also need to have somehow decent numbers if you want to land a competitive residency. Having GMO experience will not offset mediocre boards if you're interested in derm, ophtho, ENT, neurosurg, urology, etc. And BTW, not all residencies are military friendly; especially if they have been burned in the past by some military applicant. And trust me; it has happened before.

 

[adismo]

DiveMD, i'm not interested in ENT, derm, optho, urol, neurosurg (??). I'd much rather do GenSurg then branch out. Gas I like because it keeps me in the OR. Radiology appeals to me for different reasons, but I'm realistic... 3.4gpa, above avg COMLEX, no USMLE, DO trans year.

BomberDoc, thanks for your words. With nearly 2 years to go, I will start calling some civilian PD's and the hospital where I interned at to test the waters.

 

[DiveMD]

DiveMD, i'm not interested in ENT, derm, optho, urol, neurosurg (??). I'd much rather do GenSurg then branch out. Gas I like because it keeps me in the OR. Radiology appeals to me for different reasons, but I'm realistic... 3.4gpa, above avg COMLEX, no USMLE, DO trans year.

BomberDoc, thanks for your words. With nearly 2 years to go, I will start calling some civilian PD's and the hospital where I interned at to test the waters.

I am not trying to discourage you my friend; just trying to be realistic. I personally think that you will have no difficulty matching, especially with your background. But you need to be very pro-active during the application/interview process. Call the programs and show interest. One of my best friends (she is an active duty DO) matched in a phenomenal PM&R residency mainly because she insisted in calling PD's, visiting institutions and getting to know people. She is very smart; but her numbers were not that impressive.

IOW, don't give up, don't be passive and GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[BomberDoc]

I am not trying to discourage you my friend; just trying to be realistic. I personally think that you will have no difficulty matching, especially with your background. But you need to be very pro-active during the application/interview process. Call the programs and show interest. One of my best friends (she is an active duty DO) matched in a phenomenal PM&R residency mainly because she insisted in calling PD’s, visiting institutions and getting to know people. She is very smart; but her numbers were not that impressive.

IOW, don’t give up, don’t be passive and GOOD LUCK!!!

True dat! Being passive is going to get you nothing. You have to go all out. Apply broadly. Talk to as many programs as possible. Don't piss them off or be pushy, but let them know you are interested and what you can bring to the table. I'm not saying you can match Rads or Derm with a 200 board score. That would take a miracle. You still have to be competitive, just know that your experience adds to that equation. I personally know plenty of mil docs that matched at very good programs that probably wouldn't have taken them fresh out of med school. I know I fall into this camp as well. Applying for residency is a long painful process, but you're in the military, so that should come as second nature.

 

[adismo]

^ i was just going to say, calling up PD's and residencies sounds enjoyable. thanks gents.

 

[Out in 2008]

I didn't catch what type of internship you did but if it was transitional or other non-surgical, I would expect many surgical residencies will want you to have a full surgery internship under your belt. EM is also difficut uless you looking at one of the PGY 2-4 programs. There is a recent thread posted by Bricktamland which I posted about getting credit for some of your internship blocks, hopefully shortening up internship if you have to another one.