University of Iowa for Neuro residency?

[IonClaws]

Hi everyone -

Does anyone have any experiences with University of Iowa for Neurology, through interviews, medical school, audition rotations or residency? How is it, from your experience??

Thanks!

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[Freeinfinity]

It's a solid program. All the major subspecialties are represented and there is some global health experiences available, I believe. They expanded the size of class to like 7 or 8 last year. Of course, it's in Iowa, so if you're not from the midwest then adjustments will need to be made. Stroke is top-notch over there.

 

[Craker]

I had a great interview there this year! All the residents seemed happy and the interviewing physicians were all great as well. Can't beat midwest cost of living either 🙂

 

[neurochica]

It is a hidden gem. However, it is not what it used to be. Dr Rodnitsky just retired, Adams (stroke) had an accident and there on a limited basis, Demasio (cognitive behavior) is gone. You will be well prepared, get funding if you want it (Dr Richardson from Yale now PD is a great resource) and will get a fellowship in the field of your choice if you go there. Iowa city is a great city.

 

[NeurologyHopeful2018]

Iowa City is NOT a great city. There is a reason even during Iowa's peak years that the program has gone unfilled. Iowa City is very small, bland, and boring with very limited opportunities outside the academic tower. What's worse there is nothing within 4 hours of driving that you can escape to.

Neurology is a special in that - there are usually more fellowships than applicants - and you can easily get into fellowship no matter where you train. There is nothing special by saying "all our graduates get their choice of fellowships". Neuro job market is wide open that even if you train across the country, you can still land a job in your desired location. My top choice is now actually a newly established program UMKC - perfect balance of patient load, education, and time off to pursue research. Kansas City is huge and has everything I want in it.

Having interviewed at 15 programs, by far the best measure of program quality are location and how happy and relaxed the residents are.

 

[neurochica]

Iowa City is NOT a great city. There is a reason even during Iowa's peak years that the program has gone unfilled. Iowa City is very small, bland, and boring with very limited opportunities outside the academic tower. What's worse there is nothing within 4 hours of driving that you can escape to.

Neurology is a special in that - there are usually more fellowships than applicants - and you can easily get into fellowship no matter where you train. There is nothing special by saying "all our graduates get their choice of fellowships". Neuro job market is wide open that even if you train across the country, you can still land a job in your desired location. My top choice is now actually a newly established program UMKC - perfect balance of patient load, education, and time off to pursue research. Kansas City is huge and has everything I want in it.

Having interviewed at 15 programs, by far the best measure of program quality are location and how happy and relaxed the residents are.

Are you saying that Kansas City is better than Iowa city? Kansas City is a hell hole crime infested and dirty city. You are lucky if you Make it to the hospital alive. Kansas City is good if you are going into surgery. You will see plenty of trauma. But for neurology? New program?

Iowa city at the very least is clean, friendly, and crime less city as you will get. They still have Dr Kiimura, a giant in electrophysiology and you will ride your fellowship ticket to any program in EEG with him. They still have Adams, stroke Giant, you will also ride your ticket for any stroke fellowship. I know plenty of people who worked with them and are super stars. They also have Dr Shy which I believe shy-drager syndrome was name after him? Plenty of funding if you like.

Iowa city is a gem if you get pass their location. It is not for everyone. In fact, I Beleive that Iowa city and des Moines are the only non rural areas in the state? While I would choose other program above these 2 I would 100% choose Iowa over a newer program, especially one located in Kansas City. The goal of any neurology program is to learn, not to guess whether you will make it home alive that night.

 

[NeurologyHopeful2018]

Its a small rural city so of course crime is less. I bet many people will choose Chicago (despite the crime) over Iowa City. Much much more to offer in Chicago, especially as a single male, over Iowa City.

Iowa Neurology is considered prestigious in the midwest as it is the 3rd oldest in the nation. But will you be happy there? Their work load is intense - I know 2 residents there first hand - and they get slaughtered their intern and Pgy2 year. Attendings are not personable and there is a clear hierachy. Scut work is also heavy. Iowa also has an intense research requirement during residency to make you "well rounded".

UMKC is a new program - they gotta offer something to attract qualified candidate. They offer an amazing work-life balance. Service is light, education is heavy.

If this was in IM, going to Iowa matters bc IM fellowships are competitive. But Neurology there are always more fellowship spots than applicsnts. For IM fellowships going to Iowa vs. UMKC means the difference between match and no match. For Neurology, the difference is doing your 1 year fellowship at Mayo vs. Kentucky. As long as you are board certified job market is open to you across the country.

Moral of the story: go through path of least resistance. I learned my lesson when I was a dumb 17 year old declining a 6 year BA/MD offer at a cheap state school.

 

[neurochica]

Yes, you are right- if your criteria in evaluating a program is less rigorous work and quality of life, then yes you are making the right choice. Most kids come in here asking for the better program- as you know, hard work is a given in medicine. I still don’t know why you are choosing Kansas City if there are other Clinic based programs that will give you better aquality of life, better city and perhaps warmer Weather.

My word of advice is this: make sure the program you choose is preparing you for the boards and they have a good lecture service. When I was in academics, we didn’t hire an interventional guy because he still needed to be babby two years out of fellowship. He said he didn’t get enough cases he said and his general neuro sucked, according to him.

I went to a program similar to Iowa in which hard work was required with a national stroke figure running the stroke unit. I was guarantee two of the best stroke fellowship in the country but ended up declining both as I spent 6 month of stoke electives with him-I came out of residency running a neuro icu as the only doc in the hospital and never encountered anything that I couldn’t handle for the one year I was there.

The moral of my story was that I ‘endured’ more than 6 months of stroke rotations with a world class stroke doctor, which by the way, had no personality, and came out practicing world class vascular neurology. Yes it sucked, but it was for a short period.

Good luck.