University of Minnesota

[Andrew_Doan]

Ophthalmology Residency Program Compendium Table of Contents

University of Minnesota - Ophthalmology Dept.
MMC 493 420 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

http://www.med.umn.edu/ophthalmology

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[Andrew_Doan]

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I have heard good things about the University of Minnesota's program- does anyone have any personal experience from there/something they've heard that they can share?

I spoke with Dr. Egbert of Stanford previously about U of Minn...he had nothing but the best things to say of his training there. Said the surgical numbers were incredible, he loved all the attendings, and the pathology he saw there certainly was surprisingly untouched anywhere else...

he tried to get me to apply there

all in all, rave reviews from him...and he did two fellowships (peds and oculoplastics) so obviously he was a competitive resident as a result of the program

I dont have any personal information to add, other than good word of mouth around my school about the place (a guy who matched at Emory from my school put U of Minnesota RIGHT BEHIND it (top 3 choice and he had like 15 interviews))

Sounds like a great place to train. Thanks Mye Eye!

 

[greeniris]

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Hi, I have a conflicting interview on my Minnesota day and wanted to know others input on the program?
Thanks!

 

[doomlaut]

Wanted to bump this thread - from Minnesota originally but going to school out east. Thinking about trying to go back home for residency but haven't been able to find a whole lot of information about this program. Anyone have any insight?

 

[Eye Applicant]

I did not interview there, but I have heard lots of good things about the program. It is well-respected.

 

[royalmarquis]

Not good enough to garner a response then 🙂

 

[ZankouChicken]

I thought that this program was awesome when I interviewed this past cycle. Program seemed strong clinically and surgically. Minneapolis is cold for sure, but also seems like a fun city (I've heard it described as the Portland of the Midwest if that means anything to anyone). Everybody was super friendly and laid back. These are my impressions from interview day. Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken about anything or forgot something.

Interview day-

• 11 interviews + 1 eye exam for stereopsis- I think you meet just about the entire department. It was tiring but went by surprisingly fast.
• Day went from 7AM to 5PM. Half interviewed in the morning and toured in the afternoon; vice-versa for the other half. If you have an early flight out, ask the coordinator to schedule you for the morning interviews. The tour ends at~3, and the last site is like 3 stops from the airport on the light rail.

Program details-

• Residents- 4/year
• Fellows- 1 retina, 1 oculoplastics, 1 cornea,
• Sites- Hennepin County, University of Minnesota Medical Center, VA (shared with Mayo); I think they also do time at the children's hospital
• Surgical numbers- average >230 cataracts (not sure about other surgeries)
• Call- Year 1: Q2 at Hennepin (3 months), Q4 rest of the year; Year 2: Q4 back-up; Year 3: Q2 at Hennepin (3 months), VA call 1 week at a time (9 months, split with 1 rotating Mayo resident)
• Didactics- Friday afternoons
• Vacation- 3 weeks/year

Pros

• Excellent clinical training- high surgical numbers, variety of sites, wide catchment area and diverse pathology
• Very supportive department; PD was young and energetic
• Strong peds- I think they have 4 peds people and get good exposure through their children's hospital
• I also heard good things about the cornea program but can't comment on this in detail
• LASIK certification during residency
• 1/2 day dedicated didactics (personal preference; may be a con for some)
• Minneapolis is a fun city

Cons

• Board prep/scores- not much info given on interview day
• Fellowship- again, don't think much info was given, but sounds like those who want one get it
• VA shared with Mayo (although doesn't seem to hurt their surgical numbers)
• Minneapolis is freezing in the winters

Overall, a very solid program. Hadn't heard much about it before but left the interview with a very positive impression. Ophthalmology seems to have a lot of "hidden gems," and of the programs I interviewed at this was probably the most hidden and most gemmy. I wanted to go back to the West Coast (que collective eye roll), but this was my top ranked program outside that region and I considered ranking it above some CA programs as well. Hope that helps =)