Currently I am a resident in the program:
Overall, I would have to say that my experience here has been excellent, from clinic to surgery, we have a complete and well rounded education.
Clinics are busy but well run so very little time is spent doing "scut" work and more time is spent learning pathology and management. All clinics are well staffed and faculty here are very approachable. First and second years take primary call which can be busy, but also offers a great time to learn and manage your own patients. Surgical experience begins early with plastics during your first years and a few cataracts as well. Second year is a more hands on year, with more cataracts, retina, and glaucoma procedures. Third year is great, with sufficient OR time to get plenty of surgical experience.
We have our own, in house pathologist as well as one of the only in house ophthalmology hospitalists in the country. He is in charge of managing all inpatient and ER consults with us. No hunting for faculty to staff your cases or difficult patients!
There are no fellows here so the surgical experience is not diluted and we spend plenty of one on one time with faculty, a huge plus IMHO.
Lectures are 7AM every weekday morning, taught by our faculty as well as faculty from the military program here in San Antonio.
After our recent sight visit by the ACGME last year, we received a full, 5 year accreditation.
In addition, San Antonio is a great city with plenty to keep you busy while your not working. Not a native of Texas, I was not sure what to expect moving here but have been very pleasantly surprised both by the area and the people.
While it may not get the attention of some of the other programs in Texas (ie. Southwestern or Baylor), our program definitely has a lot to offer and should be seriously considered.
Feel free to PM with any ??.
