UMass vs. St. Elizabeth's vs. Baystate

[itcomesnpints]

There seems to be a wealth of information on the Harvard programs, however I haven't been able to find much current information on the Baystate, St. Elizabeth, and UMass residency programs. Could any current or former residents comment on the strength of these programs, clinical training, fellowship opportunities, didactics etc? Any information would be very much appreciated.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[EdPierce]

avoid baystate - hard work malignant environment good training but i know for sure that they have kicked people out, had people transfer out, etc.. for "personality issues" with much higher frequency than usual

st. elizabeth's - soft on training in my opinion, basic cases, healthy people, rate out a lot to get better cases, overall sufficient but not ideal, stable program with decent rep, great hours and boston is great

umass - the best of the 3 options from the little i have heard, solid rep in the local anesthesia community

 

[imfrankie]

Lotsa people smiling on UMass Anesthesia website.

 

[ASnaves]

avoid baystate - hard work malignant environment good training but i know for sure that they have kicked people out, had people transfer out, etc.. for "personality issues" with much higher frequency than usual

st. elizabeth's - soft on training in my opinion, basic cases, healthy people, rate out a lot to get better cases, overall sufficient but not ideal, stable program with decent rep, great hours and boston is great

umass - the best of the 3 options from the little i have heard, solid rep in the local anesthesia community

As a graduate of Baystate, I would definitely NOT consider it malignant. It has had minor issues, and, yes, people have been kicked out, but it was not without just cause. I am very happy with my training there.

 

[DannyB]

get a BMC or Tufts interview

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I don't know anything about UMass, but I'd certainly pick Baystate over St. E's.

New chairman now in his 2nd year, very dynamic and resident friendly program. More CRNAs brought in so that residents are able to attend lecture, resident-functions, conferences, etc. Lots of mock orals and PBLDs. Oral examiner within the program as well. The CRNAs aid with education, and if a CA-1 who was done for the day wished to start a case they have no problems with this. If a CRNA was scheduled a big case and you wanted to be in that case, they have no problems switching cases.

Lots of new attendings, very much into teaching. Advanced airway training is a major plus, and it's the only level 1 trauma center in the area. You're not competing with 10 other Boston programs, or 20 other NYC programs for good trauma cases. At the same time, not too far from those areas (including CT), as well. Good fellowship placement as well in addition to good job networking in the area and beyond.

Residency is tough wherever you go, but I'm happy to be where I am. It appears there were issues in the past but those issues have since been resolved.

EDIT: AFAIK, the Baystate program is larger than the Tufts program, but again don't know much about the Tufts program.

 

[itcomesnpints]

It looks like UMass was only given a 1 year accreditation cycle. Anyone know what happened? Are they on probation?

 

[Philosiraptor]

It looks like UMass was only given a 1 year accreditation cycle. Anyone know what happened? Are they on probation?

A combination of small things (not enough showers in call rooms) and work hour violations during the site visit (they said it was because they had CRNA's serving overseas and couldn't fire them/hire new ones...so residents had to pick up the slack). RRC thought it was a "service over education" situation. Seems like work hour violations can seriously damage the ACGME cycle status of a program (similar issue with Case Western MetroHealth).

The PD was very open about it and said that appropriate changes had been made (new CRNA's hired, and a ton of money thrown at the department by the medical school because they realized how valuable having an anesthesiology residency program was).

Apparently, with the new 10-year uniform accreditation scheme coming online...the 1-5 year cycle stuff will no longer matter.

The people there were very nice, and the residents all said that things had gotten much better since the changes were implemented and the situation would only get better.

 

[Noegrus]

UMass gas has never been able to fill in the NRMP match. I don't know why. They are also on a 1 year accreditation cycle. It is located in Wooster. I didn't apply to it because of these reasons. That's all I know. Please don't hurt me.

 

[scudrunner]

I'd pick Baystate. I've heard first-hand from a current resident that it is focused on resident education, not at all malignant, and the prior issues are resolved.

 

[bocciball]

Baystate is a great program. Most of new faculty are MGH/Brigham trained and really focused on resident education. Department is very supportive. Boast 95% first time board pass rate average over last ten years and >90% over last 20. Hospital is profitable, well funded, and constantly under renovations/internal improvement. People in Springfield are friendly. Major downfalls are location, lack of "prestige", no heart/lung/liver transplant. I suppose the transplant is not a big deal because you have to do a fellowship in that area anyways if you want to do that full time.

Edit: Also their salary is one of the highest I've seen at 55.8K PGY1.

 

[JeromeChoi]

This is all History at Baystate. Board pass rates would probably be the lowest in the nation now. I would verify every piece of information given. The Springfield area is the poorest in Massachusetts.

 

[gassyPants]

A combination of small things (not enough showers in call rooms) and work hour violations during the site visit (they said it was because they had CRNA's serving overseas and couldn't fire them/hire new ones...so residents had to pick up the slack). RRC thought it was a "service over education" situation. Seems like work hour violations can seriously damage the ACGME cycle status of a program (similar issue with Case Western MetroHealth).
only get better.

I interviewed there maybe 10ish years ago, I'm not in the mood to count. I know things can change, but there were so many red flags that I didn't even end up ranking the program. I'm hesitant to specify anything since it was so long ago, memory is flawed and I'm sure things have changed, but I do specifically recall the residents indicating even then that they had to take over a lot of CRNA rooms at the end of the day, and were breaking work hour rules because of it.

 

[gassyPants]

It is located in Wooster.

As a Massachusetts native, I cannot let this stand.

It's Worcester.

 

[DocMcCoy]

I interviewed there maybe 10ish years ago, I'm not in the mood to count. I know things can change, but there were so many red flags that I didn't even end up ranking the program. I'm hesitant to specify anything since it was so long ago, memory is flawed and I'm sure things have changed, but I do specifically recall the residents indicating even then that they had to take over a lot of CRNA rooms at the end of the day, and were breaking work hour rules because of it.

dude I trained there. I never broke resident work hours. Not even close after intern year. not really understanding the so many red flags comment. It is in Worcester, which is is a complete sh**hole.

 

[cowbydoc]

This is all History at Baystate. Board pass rates would probably be the lowest in the nation now. I would verify every piece of information given. The Springfield area is the poorest in Massachusetts.

I don’t know the reason for this necro-bump. I’m an attending at Baystate. I will agree that Springfield is one of the poorest areas in Massachusetts but aren’t a lot of training programs in less than suburban locales? I trained at a large midwestern program that was a “tube in, peace out “ sort of attending situation. I will say that here at Baystate the expectation is for lots of intraoperative teaching. We have cardiac attendings that come in every other week for echo trainings. The resources here for education are all very good and better than I had where I trained. On top of that our old program director retired two years ago and the new one is younger, more dynamic and very receptive to residents. Every single resident has my cell phone number and can call me at any time. I will stop now, just trying defend our program from someone who dug up a 7 year old thread to trash it.

 

[JeromeChoi]

I don’t know the reason for this necro-bump. I’m an attending at Baystate. I will agree that Springfield is one of the poorest areas in Massachusetts but aren’t a lot of training programs in less than suburban locales? I trained at a large midwestern program that was a “tube in, peace out “ sort of attending situation. I will say that here at Baystate the expectation is for lots of intraoperative teaching. We have cardiac attendings that come in every other week for echo trainings. The resources here for education are all very good and better than I had where I trained. On top of that our old program director retired two years ago and the new one is younger, more dynamic and very receptive to residents. Every single resident has my cell phone number and can call me at any time. I will stop now, just trying defend our program from someone who dug up a 7 year old thread to trash it.

Well it's hard to defend against poor ethics.
And more recent news of Baystate physicians getting disciplined as usual--

Massachusetts Board of Medicine Takes Disciplinary Action

At its meeting on September 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine took disciplinary action against the medical license of Emily A. Laurenzano, D.O. In a Consent Order, the Board suspended Dr. Emily A. Laurenzano’s license to practice medicine after finding that Dr...

www.mass.gov

.

 

[cowbydoc]

Well it's hard to defend against poor ethics.
And more recent news of Baystate physicians getting disciplined as usual--

Massachusetts Board of Medicine Takes Disciplinary Action

At its meeting on September 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine took disciplinary action against the medical license of Emily A. Laurenzano, D.O. In a Consent Order, the Board suspended Dr. Emily A. Laurenzano’s license to practice medicine after finding that Dr...

www.mass.gov

.

Dude, this is a psychiatrist! Literally as far from the OR you can get. This sort of diversion and substance use unfortunately happens all over medicine. What’s your beef man?

 

[JeromeChoi]

Dude, this is a psychiatrist! Literally as far from the OR you can get. This sort of diversion and substance use unfortunately happens all over medicine. What’s your beef man?

Yes, but the department of Anesthesia is not without taint as we know (research fraud perhaps). And again, you are defending poor ethics. It never ceases to amaze me how good you guys are at making a mess.

 

[DrZzZz]

Yes, but the department of Anesthesia is not without taint as we know (research fraud perhaps). And again, you are defending poor ethics. It never ceases to amaze me how good you guys are at making a mess.

The research fraud issue was over 10 years ago and revolved, almost exclusively, around one attending putting out fraudulent papers, really was separate from the residency program. And that attending lost his license over the issue, so it's not like he's still there practicing. Regardless, residency programs generally undergo a lot of changes over a decade, so I don't think that is at all relevant to applicants at this point.

 

[JeromeChoi]

I am sorry you are tainted because of your association with BMC, but I have to say Baystate did have what I would call “ Incompetent attendings”.

 

[coffeebythelake]

I am sorry you are tainted because of your association with BMC, but I have to say Baystate did have what I would call “ Incompetent attendings”.

Where did you train? Where do you practice now? You seem to have quite an insider view of Baystate..
But you should be aware that scandals and crap exist in most every program out there.

 

[DrZzZz]

Where did you train? Where do you practice now? You seem to have quite an insider view of Baystate..
But you should be aware that scandals and crap exist in most every program out there.

Account 6 months old, every single post is just a Baystate bash (some here regarding anesthesia, others in an IM thread). Necrobumping a thread with no responses for 7 years. Clearly has an axe to grind. Not suggesting that everything they're saying is false, but this sure comes off as a resident/staff who was kicked out of a program or fired and just wants to burn the place down. I'd take his/her comments with a heaping dose of salt.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

Closing. Necrobumps are usually a drag.