Unofficial 2009 EM ROL Thread

[waitingtomatch]

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Enjoyed reading everyone's lists, thus my contribution.
Geography played a huge role in my decision......

1) Henry Ford..Best of all worlds. Diverse attending staff. Dr.Manny Rivers
2) Detroit Receiving....Old program, great EM faculty names, train here work anywhere
3) Beaumont...Club Beau, happiest hospital I have ever stepped foot in. Claims to see more patients than any other in the area.
4) U of Chicago...Love Dr.Howes, great year to "sneak" into this top notch program. Another diverse attending staff.
5) Sinai Grace...Loved the fact that they did not try to hide anything. Have really sick patients and tons of trauma. ED is old and crusty. Great young PD.
6&7) Cook.....Categorical and Advanced. My favorite interview and PD. There is no way you leave this place without being a beast. Just not trying to do the 4 year thing.
8) MSU Lansing...Beautiful new ED. Early interview, so I don't recall too much.
9) St.Vincent's...Nice facilities, didn't fit well with residents. Needs more diversity. Leadership was very friendly.
10) Synergy(Saginaw)...Great PD (PEER 7)...hidden gem, no desire to be in Saginaw. Friendly residenst.
11) York...Everybody looked the same. Active PD who fights for his residents..nice perks!

 

[MarchMadness]

Number one U. of Wisconsin

 

[forfinity08]

Here's mine:

1) Highland: Hands-down this was the easiest decision. Not only the coolest, but the smartest residents by far. I loved the location, the PD and assistant PD's and the teaching. I could be very happy here.

2) Harbor: Kind of regretting putting them 2nd isntead of 3rd now....but if I must be in LA, then 3 years is better than 4. Didn't really fit in here, which surprised me because I thought it was going to be the "one" for me.

3) USC-LAC: Loved the program, and once it became 1-4, it instantly came up to my top 3. In retrospect, I should have put this as my #2. Amazing PD and fun residents, once you get out of this program, you can probably...take over the world! 😀

4) UCSF: Great program and great attendings. Don't like the large amount of time spent learning tertiary care as this is not what I want career-wise. Didn't get the warm/fuzzies from the PD.

5) UCLA/Olive-view: Fantastic program, ditto on the tertiary care thing, but I really loved the PD and assistant PD, and had a wonderful interview day

6) Stanford: Good program, but I didn't fit in here, maybe I'm just too low-class for the stanford family 😉 I think the training will really suffer now that they pulled out of SFGH, but geographically works for me, and good pay too!

7) Davis: I loved the program and the PD, the new hospital is exciting. If it weren't for 12hr shifts and 3 full years, it might have been higher in my list.

8) UCSF-Fresno: I could be very happy here, but 4 years in Fresno is 4 too many...not many jobs for my S.O. here either

9) Loma-Linda: Great program, but didn't like the location. Also didn't like the religious affiliation and no-coffee no-meat thing, but otherwise cool people I could be friends with.

10) UC Irvine: Thought twice about even ranking this program at all. By far my worst interview experience, didn't feel very reassured by the PD, and none of the residents seemed very happy to me. The hospital wasn't that great either, with the same ol' ED even though all other depts got to move to the new hospital. In the end, I figured UCI >> scrambling and so here it is.

 

[Capgras]

Hopefully this helps people in the future.

Some things I was looking for in programs: Midwest, ICU emphasis (don't care about trauma), Laid back atmosphere, Multiple hospitals, and EMR.

1.) UIC - I love Chicago and was actually surprised on interview day. They rotate at multiple hospitals which is a plus in my book because I don't know where I will practice in the future. ICU heavy program. They have strong faculty who have been at UIC for a long time. Residents were very laid back and I had a great pre-interview dinner.

2.) Pitt - To tell you the truth I was sold on the pre-interview dinner. Tons of residents showed up and a couple of us ended up going out to a local bar after the dinner. Program has a great track record. Multiple hospitals (see above). Unique Jeep experience. ICU heavy program. Pittsburgh is actually a pretty cool city with an growing young professional population.

3.) Indiana - Strong program with amazing track record in terms of board passing rate. I rotated here and learned a ton during my month. Residents are cool and very laid back. PDs are very well known in the EM world. Lack of electronic medical record and no intentions on implementing one was a negative for me. Indianapolis is also a negative for the program but its great for some people.

4.) Resurrection - I should probably start with I love Chicago. Community program on the outskirts of the city (close to ohare). The see plenty of sick elderly patients at the main site and then pick up the rest at other hospitals. Residents are very cool and relaxed. Its a newer program relativley but working its way to the top.

5.) William Beaumont - Strong community program in Royal Oak Michigan. Older program with good track record. Large high volume ED with plenty of sick patients. Rotate at two other EDs to get the diversity in patient population. ICU heavy program. The drawback is moving to Michigan but I hear Royal Oak is the place for young professionals in Michigan.

6.) the Ohio State - Strong academic program but I wasn't convinced the main ED saw the diversity needed for a great program. Strong Peds training at a high volume ED with EM/Peds trained faculty. Columbus is probably the best city in Ohio. Plus you can see the horse shoe everyday on your way to work.

7.) Akron General - Great PD - KY kept this place on the list. Residents seemed happy with the program and the training they were receiving. ED wasn't up to date on technology and residents still dictated. No EMR. Benefits are unmatched. (except for Summa because ethey have identical benefits)

8.) Summa - Akron City - I hear this is a solid program and the residents are very happy. Too many residents from NEOUCOM (local six year medical school). Smal size. Amazing benefits.

9.) Case / Metro health - Didn't get a good vibe on interview day. I didnt feel welcomed by the PD but maybe it was just an off day. Get to say you work at the Cleveland Clinic but I'm not sure if that has much value in the EM world. Brand new ED at Metro. Residents were fun to hang out with the night before.

 

[Donatello]

Long time lurker, figured I should post:
1. Denver- established program but with good mix of young collegial faculty, great pathology, good resources, ability to handle anything when you graduate, and I did not at all get the malignant vibe rumored
2. Highland- a close second, they seem to work less than my #1 but come out great clinicians and fun residents, run the hospital; not as nice area
3. USC- again great training but not as organized as my #1 and #2, which might be good for some
4. UCSD- strong peds, great residents and town, not a fan of the structure
5. Irvine- cool people, cheaper for California, seemed not as much pathology as my top 4
6. Beth Israel Deaconess- great academics and tons of research and publication opportunities, would have been even higher but I got stuck next to a former surgery resident for all of their pre-interview dinner and he was mr. negative. Also, it is in the northeast.
7. OHSU- Nice facilities, nice residents, chief resident was awesome, nice town but not sure if there was as much pathology or experience as my top 1 to 5
8. Penn- Great critical care experiences, amazing hospitals, maybe too Ivy for me
9. HAEMR- same as #7 with the added benefit of simulation and Dr. Walls but the added minus of the cold
10. Pitt- established strong program with super nice PD but I actually was not excited about the jeep
11. Vanderbilt- not my style program, night before was with a super southern group
12. Carolinas- did not get a good vibe for me from the residents or faculty, but have heard good things about their grads
13. Alabama- nice area, strong residents, but again too southern for me
14. Orlando- great pathology, great residents, great experience but my gf vetoed this one
15. Loma linda- also vetoed by the gf

 

[charmd]

Since I'm reading..

1. UCSF- this was tough btw 1 and 2, but love the people and setting.
2. Highland- I would be very happy here as well.
3. Harbor
4. UC Davis
5. UCLA-Olive-view
6. UC Fesno
7. UPenn
8. BIDMC

 

[Hard24Get]

2) Harbor: Kind of regretting putting them 2nd isntead of 3rd now....but if I must be in LA, then 3 years is better than 4. Didn't really fit in here, which surprised me because I thought it was going to be the "one" for me.

Can you explain why you don't fit in?

 

[Hard24Get]

I missed the UChicago drama. I loved this program and think I would have gone if not for geography. Dr. Howes rocks!

 

[NeuroSync]

1. Utah – strong new program with strong, fun, friendly, outgoing residents. Loved the PD and faculty. Facilities are amazing. Location is amazing. Great emphasis on both training AND wellness. Some argue not enough diversity, but I believe I'd see enough of everything to be very competent following training.

2. Stanford – This was my top choice initially. I did a month there and loved the location, faculty, residents. I have family in Palo Alto and it is closest to where my husband will be during my residency, so this was tough. I changed this to #2 because I learned at UC-Davis that I HATE 12s…and this program is mostly 12s, unfortunately (visiting students work 8s, and it wasn't on my radar at the time). Also, although they are losing the SFGH experience, they still get county in San Jose which is very good county experience, AND you don't have much of a drive to get there. For me, the change was a plus, not a negative. Some people worry about cost of living, but you make over $60k/yr and it makes up for it a bit. Still jive well with the people and would be very happy to match here.

3. New Mexico – Loved the emphasis on critical care. Loved the location, PD, faculty, and training opportunities in wilderness medicine. Also, EM is very strong and they get to run their own traumas. If it were not for my SO, I might have put this and AZ #2 and #3, respectively, but this is tough to get to from where he is. Still, if I match there, I will be extremely happy!

4. Arizona – Tucson – Loved this program and the PD. It is very academic and there would be lots of interesting opportunities for me there. At the same time, that was a little bit intimidating, like the expectations of me were a little too high. My top priorities in residency are to learn to be a good EM doc, have fun, and play hard on my time off. I feel like I would have a hard time doing all of that there because I'd be doing lots of extra stuff. PLUS, you are required to do original research during the three years. YIKES! The intimidation factor brought this down a bit. Still, I strongly debated putting this program number one for the same reasons. Plus, I have to say that I clicked with residents the very best here…So if I match at #4, I'm still very, very happy.

5. Oregon – OHSU – This is close to family, SO, and outdoor stuff. It is a three year program, which makes a difference for me because my husband and I will be apart for residency. I am a little bit worried about diversity of pathology and not getting enough experience running my own traumas. It felt very academic, and I am more of a hands-on sort o' person.

6. UCSF – Fresno – LOVED this place. Fresno isn't the best, but it doesn't take long to find yourself in some cool places. The residents seemed extremely happy, motivated, and energetic. The opportunities are great, and the fourth year is very chill and flexible. The ED is like the eighth wonder of the world. I didn't like the graduated resonsibility and not being able to take sick patients until later years in the program. This program would rank higher for me if a fourth year didn't really matter.

7. Denver – I loved Denver, and the residents are extremely well trained. I did an away rotation here and probably learned more there than anywhere else. The energetic and enthusiastic faculty are truly outstanding. The location is great and would be home for me. The pathology is wonderful. The autonomy is perfect. Again, it was the extra year that threw this down the rank list for me. If I were single, my list might look a lot different. I like that they work 9s, but they work six on and one off for all four years, which is tough. Also, they are off service most of the first year, but not necessarily on the most useful rotations. Sill, would love to train here.

8. UCSF – I loved this program. The faculty were great and the residents seemed motivated and happy. The city is wonderful and near family. The only thing I didn't like was (sorry) the patient populations. At UCSF it is tertiary care. At SFGH there is so much HIV and TB (a disproportionate amount). I would rather have a more balanced population, as I see myself working in a less urban environment when I am done. The other issue is that they work 10s or 12s (still not sure of the mix, but I think it's mostly 12s). Otherwise this is a great fit for me and I'd be happy there.

9. UC – Irvine – I wasn't crazy about this program for a couple of reasons. It is so small (6 per year group), and they work 12s. The residents seemed fairly happy but tired. There would be support for my "outside activities" with ACEP and I appreciated that. The US training is outstanding, apparently. Howerver, they need a new ED: it is cramped and outdated. Also, I do not like So Cal at all. I care about air quality (an issue at Fresno, as well), ability to get away from people in the wilderness, etc. But with that being said, I could easily see myself living in Huntington Beach for a few years and surfing before/after shifts! So if I matched here, there would be some big pluses.

10. UC – Davis – I thought this would be my number one. It was a terrible fit for me for a bunch of reasons. First, they work 12s, but they are more like 13s-14s with carry over. Second, I have never seen so much push back from consultants as I did here. Third, EM is responsible for airway. Surgery does all interesting trauma. You get to do that, but only when on surgery. I didn't like that. I'd rather share it. Also, the nursing staff was variable, and I saw a lot of push back toward docs even from THEM! I couldn't believe it. On the other hand, the residents are very nice, as is the PD. The location is great. So again, if I matched here, I'd make it work and I'd be happy.

The bottom line is that my SO's location really put the 3 year programs higher, for better or worse. I had a hard time with the ranking (other than Utah), and I would be very happy to train at any of the places I ranked. So as long as I get that e-mail saying I matched on the 16th, I will stop worrying about stuff and be very happy. 🙂

Good luck to everyone. I cannot wait to see where we all end up!

 

[college!!]

Basically ranked every program in the metro area except BI and Lincoln. I had a preference for 3 years, with the exception that Mt. Sinai is convenient for my life, and King's County is pretty bad ass.

1) St.Luke's-Roosevelt
2) Mt. Sinai
3) SUNY-King's County
4) Methodist
5) North Shore
6) NYH Queens
7) Maimonades
8) Jacobi
9) NYU
10) Presby
11) Metropolitan
12) Long Island Jewish
13) Brooklyn Hospital Center
14) UMDNJ
15) BI Newark

 

[MrBling]

Basically ranked every program in the metro area except BI and Lincoln. I had a preference for 3 years, with the exception that Mt. Sinai is convenient for my life, and King's County is pretty bad ass.

Why did you decide not to rank BIMC?

 

[Old_Mil]

5. Oregon – OHSU – This is close to family, SO, and outdoor stuff. It is a three year program, which makes a difference for me because my husband and I will be apart for residency. I am a little bit worried about diversity of pathology and not getting enough experience running my own traumas. It felt very academic, and I am more of a hands-on sort o' person.

You do realize that by ranking them fifth, you've all but foiled their plans to staff the department with Neurosync clones. It wouldn't surprise me if they end up having to scramble to fill... 🙂

 

[forfinity08]

Can you explain why you don't fit in?

Mostly a gut feeling thing. I didn't have any specific negative interactions at Harbor per say... and my experience should in no way be generalized to the program or to others' experiences.

I guess from my interviewers, the three of them not the warmest most outgoing people, I got the sense that they were a little stuck up...for lack of better words. I just heard a couple of arrogant comments, and didn't sense much excitement about the program. The PD I felt was more shy than others, though it was nothing he did per say. In other programs I interviewed, I felt like the PD knew something about me personally or made some attempt to talk to every interviewee. For example, Dr. Morroco at UCLA-Oliveview was phenomenal in this aspect, and really spoke well of the program.

All of these things were obviously not deal breakers as I did end up ranking them second, mostly because I thought the residents were cool and down to earth, and I loved the patient population. I just didn't really get those warm and fuzzies that I got at Highland and USC.

 

[NeuroSync]

You do realize that by ranking them fifth, you've all but foiled their plans to staff the department with Neurosync clones. It wouldn't surprise me if they end up having to scramble to fill... 🙂

I'm not totally sure what that means. 🙂 What does a NeuroSync clone look like? I hope that they don't have to scramble. Man, I hope I don't have to scramble...

 

[postmyscores]

1. ECU
2. Univ Ark Med Sciences
3. U Kentucky
4. ORMC
5. Palmetto
6. UT-Chattanooga
7. Louisville
8. Maricopa
9. Med Col of Georgia
10. Vegas

Interviewed as USF-Tampa but hated it

 

[Scallywag11]

I went back and forth about East versus West Coast and really wanted to go West but at the last minute my family kept me East Coast. I changed my list 5 minutes before the deadline, which I know is trouble. Excited to see where I end up and would be psyched about anywhere in my top 10.

1. BIDMC
2. Cinci
3. Denver
4. UCLA OV
5. Georgetown
6. UNC
7. Emory
8. Duke
9. Highland
10. Pitt
11. UCSF
12. Carolinas
13. Brigham/MGH

 

[Dr. Ditka]

I let Mrs. Ditka have a lot of say and this is more like the Ditka's family list.

1. UT-Southwestern
pros- I love Dallas, great residents, 2 month New Zealand rotation, good community months, very little scut especially for a county hospital, going to 10 hour shifts during the weekdays, decent moonlighting opportunities
cons- I've seen nicer facilities
2.Maricopa
pros- I love Phoenix, great residents from all over the country, you get to know the faculty well since there are only about 12 and they are all awesome, nice young PD, good community months especially now that they are taking 14 residents this year and adding more outside months, free food, 8 and 10 hour shifts
cons- Again, I've seen nicer facilities and trauma bays are small
3. El Paso
pros- I want to get better at Spanish, oldest program in Texas, good pathology and trauma crossing the border, free food, good moonlighting
cons- not a huge fan of the city, 12 hour shifts
4. UT Houston
pros- nice hospital, really smart residents, assistant PD
cons- medical district is a pain to get in and out of, 12 hour shifts, don't know who the new PD will be or what changes will be made
5. NY Methodist
pros- Park Slope, nice facilities, with Brookdale hospital would offer diversity
cons- I have heard bad things about ancillary staff, NY would be cool but also a culture shock for me
6. USF-Tampa
pros-best facilities I have ever seen, Tampa is awesome
cons- seemed too high stress for me, they were up front at the interview that you will work hard, but it seemed to me that you work hard and don't necessarily learn more
7. LSU New Orleans
pros- great docs have come out of here for years, New Orleans seems like a cool place to live, residents were friendly
cons- don't work at Charity anymore, 4 years is too long for me and if it was a 3 year program then it would have been 3 or 4 on my list
8. LSU Shreveport
pros- new ED, diverse group of residents that were very friendly, few 12 hour shifts, gym in the hospital
cons- not a fan of Shreveport
9. Arkansas
pros- new ED, really friendly residents, one of the faculty has a photographic memory and would be awesome to work with, very nice children's hospital
cons- did not seem to appreciate ultrasound as much as I would like, 12 hour shifts, seemed to have money issues (approved for 10 residents/year but could only pay for 8)
10. Corpus Christi
pros- could work on my espanol, beach (even if it is the gulf), only residency there besides family, assistant PD is awesome, 9 hour shifts, very little call
cons-not the best city overall, new program
11. LSU Baton Rouge
pros- the residents seem to have a lot of fun together, good clinical training
cons- Earl K Long is the worst facility I saw on the tour, 12 hour shifts
12. Alleghany
pros-Been around awhile, not 12 hour shifts, gym in the hospital
cons- way too cold
13. Maimonides
pros-great diversity in patients and grads out of here that I have met have been really good
cons- NY is too cold and the hospital is not in my favorite area

 

[MylifeisEM]

So I have been reviewing the lists and I noticed that there haven't been any posts since 3/6. Time for that to change. I applied to programs in the NE as I want to stay close to family and friends and I ranked all the programs that I actually went on an interview on. I canceled a couple as well. 🙂

1) SUNY Downstate/Kings County
2) Jacobi
3) Mt Sinai
4) Bellevue/NYU
5) BMC
6) HAEMR (MGH/BWH)
7) LIJ
8) North Shore
9) Hopkins
10) BIDMC
11) Stony Brook

So I was absolutely stuck btwn my 1 and 2 and would honestly be happy at either. I def want a county style program and I think I learn best from seeing patients and then reading up on them afterwards. LOVED BMC and really liked HAEMR (they def would have been in my 3 and 4 spots if they were in NY) but Boston was a lil far from home and LOVED Hopkins but couldn't really see myself in Baltimore. As you can see, I interviewed at mainly 4 year programs and in the end, I felt that 4 years was a better fit.

So excited to see where people end up matching. Good luck to everyone next week!

 

[pdiddy4EM]

Here is my list. I'm doing couple's match with my fiancee (Anesthesiology).

1. Vanderbilt-what can I say. This program has it all. Strongest didactics in the country (or at least from all the interviews I went to), amazing Chairman and PD, most extensive international rotations I saw on the interview trail, Nashville is a great city (big enough but not overwhelming like NYC/LA), and Children's Hospital has a BEN & JERRYS! I couldn't believe how many residents showed up for the dinner the night before at Bosco's (I think every intern had to have been there!) The fact that you can work the Vandy sporting events was the cherry on top 😀. Fiancee is in love with the anesthesia program!
2. Iowa-this was the sleeper. Had no idea about Iowa before going there. Nicest hospital/ED I went to. Very innovative and efficient approach to the practice of EM. Newer program, but very strong leadership. Love the global initiative Iowa has in place. Iowa City seems like a very happening and underrated college town. Moonlighting here sounds amazing.
3. VCU-very well established program. Great pathology, definitely knife and gun club. Not the biggest fan of 12's for all 3 years, but only 18 shifts as intern, ain't too bad. Like the longitudinal tract.
4. Arizona-wow. It lived up to all the hype I expected. If I wasn't doing couple's match this would definitely be much higher. Amazing program. PD absolutely awesome. This program doesn't shy away from being a leader in EM and the fact that Rosen is there during the winter months is pretty sweet. How could anyone hate living in Tucson?!!!
5. Metrohealth-well established program. I actually liked Cleveland as a city.
6. URochester-solid program. like the medium-sized city with easy commute for weekend vacations to Toronto and NYC. Not the biggest fan of all the snow.
7/8 Henry Ford-felt I clicked best with the residents and attendings here. You will be a critical care guru.
9. UF-Gainesville-Future looks bright for this program. the new ED will be amazing. Having florida weather never hurt the soul.
10. UT-Houston-I love houston and have family there. Fiancee and I definitely see ourselves settling long term in houston, but didn't get the vibe from the program.
11. Ohio St.-well established program. Columbus is a pretty cool city.
12/13 William Beaumont-very nice program, didn't really care for the interview.
14. Detroit Receiving-great pathology. just not looking for county experience.
15. Georgetown-DC is awesome. Best city in the country, but this program still has to work out many things. It will eventually be a strong program, but right now the program is going through some growing pains.


Good luck to everyone next week! Hope everyone gets their #1!

 

[brucecat]

Good thread.. I have to stay in Philly so I only interviewed and ranked Philly programs. All programs are strong and I'd be happy at any of them.

1. Temple - best clinical training in Philly in my opinion, great pathology, outstanding teaching (every resident raved about the faculty), really sick patient population, tons of trauma (best trauma for EM in the city, a lot of penetrating trauma, great relationship with trauma surgery, thoracotomies are common here, tons of procedures), residents and faculty seemed very personable and laid back, attendings take over ED one night a month to allow residents to go out together, EM runs the burn unit (only burn unit in the city), peds in house and at CHOP, you're thrown into the thick of it as an intern (this one was really important to me, no real orientation, you can pick up the sickest patients from day one, but of course always have back up; this is how I want to learn EM).

2. Christiana - rotated here and loved it, thought it would be my #1, but in the end the fact that it was in DE really knocked it down a notch, I like the city and not ready for suburbia yet. Facilities are gorgeous, hospital has a ton of money, incredible u/s, top $$ airway equipment, 3 CTs in the ED, great faculty and didactics, cushy schedule (16-18 8's a month !!, full month long orientation), few other residencies in house (which means no competition for procedures). If you don't mind being in DE (or commuting from Philly) then this place rocks.

3. Cooper - this one totally surprised me. Great program, in Camden which is a great place for EM (ie. ghetto), great pathology, great trauma (good mix of penetrating and blunt), the hospital is currently undergoing a massive renovation that is quite impressive (main lobby puts Penn's to shame), ED is currently very cramped but will be expanded shortly and seeing the rest of the hospital, is likely to be very nice; loved the faculty and especially the chairman, people in the program seem very tight (half the presentation was pictures of faculty and residents hangin out, drinking, etc..). Would be totally happy here.

4. Penn - solid program, good pathology, great off-service rotations, peds at CHOP, very strong academics. Big negatives for me were: 4 years, 12 hour shifts, too many off-service rotations that seemed unnecessary, trauma only on trauma surgery rotations and airway only as a PGY4, little fish in big pond. Probably a good choice for those interested in going into academics and who want more elective time and off-service rotations.

5. Jefferson - decent program in great part of the city, really the best thing about it is the location, great off-service rotations, ED just underwent renovations and expansion, liked the faculty and residents. Negatives: like Penn little fish in big pond, heard there can be difficulties with admitting patients, not a lot of trauma.

6. Einstein - great pathology, sick patients, good trauma exposure, very nice ED, loved the PD. Rotated here and really liked it for the most part. Negatives for me: 4 year program, too many off-service rotations of questionable value, faculty were hit-or-miss, some were great, others so-so, same for the residents... would be higher if not a 4 year program.

7. Drexel - really was anticipating much more from this program.. big selling point was that EM residents run the ICU out at a small community hospital in West Philly and do ~7 months there.. considering we never saw that hospital and have no idea what the pathology is like there, it was not a selling point to me. ED is nice but small with very little volume. Residents seemed to like their community ED rotations better. Little trauma. Loved the PD but one of the interviewers was incredibly rude (apparently I'm not the only one, as I met several others on the interview trail who had the exact same experience.. not exactly the type of person you want representing your program.)

 

[NeuroSync]

Good thread.. I have to stay in Philly so I only interviewed and ranked Philly programs. All programs are strong and I'd be happy at any of them.

1. Temple - best clinical training in Philly in my opinion, great pathology, outstanding teaching (every resident raved about the faculty), really sick patient population, tons of trauma (best trauma for EM in the city, a lot of penetrating trauma, great relationship with trauma surgery, thoracotomies are common here, tons of procedures), residents and faculty seemed very personable and laid back, attendings take over ED one night a month to allow residents to go out together, EM runs the burn unit (only burn unit in the city), peds in house and at CHOP, you're thrown into the thick of it as an intern (this one was really important to me, no real orientation, you can pick up the sickest patients from day one, but of course always have back up; this is how I want to learn EM).

2. Christiana - rotated here and loved it, thought it would be my #1, but in the end the fact that it was in DE really knocked it down a notch, I like the city and not ready for suburbia yet. Facilities are gorgeous, hospital has a ton of money, incredible u/s, top $$ airway equipment, 3 CTs in the ED, great faculty and didactics, cushy schedule (16-18 8's a month !!, full month long orientation), few other residencies in house (which means no competition for procedures). If you don't mind being in DE (or commuting from Philly) then this place rocks.

3. Cooper - this one totally surprised me. Great program, in Camden which is a great place for EM (ie. ghetto), great pathology, great trauma (good mix of penetrating and blunt), the hospital is currently undergoing a massive renovation that is quite impressive (main lobby puts Penn's to shame), ED is currently very cramped but will be expanded shortly and seeing the rest of the hospital, is likely to be very nice; loved the faculty and especially the chairman, people in the program seem very tight (half the presentation was pictures of faculty and residents hangin out, drinking, etc..). Would be totally happy here.

4. Penn - solid program, good pathology, great off-service rotations, peds at CHOP, very strong academics. Big negatives for me were: 4 years, 12 hour shifts, too many off-service rotations that seemed unnecessary, trauma only on trauma surgery rotations and airway only as a PGY4, little fish in big pond. Probably a good choice for those interested in going into academics and who want more elective time and off-service rotations.

5. Jefferson - decent program in great part of the city, really the best thing about it is the location, great off-service rotations, ED just underwent renovations and expansion, liked the faculty and residents. Negatives: like Penn little fish in big pond, heard there can be difficulties with admitting patients, not a lot of trauma.

6. Einstein - great pathology, sick patients, good trauma exposure, very nice ED, loved the PD. Rotated here and really liked it for the most part. Negatives for me: 4 year program, too many off-service rotations of questionable value, faculty were hit-or-miss, some were great, others so-so, same for the residents... would be higher if not a 4 year program.

7. Drexel - really was anticipating much more from this program.. big selling point was that EM residents run the ICU out at a small community hospital in West Philly and do ~7 months there.. considering we never saw that hospital and have no idea what the pathology is like there, it was not a selling point to me. ED is nice but small with very little volume. Residents seemed to like their community ED rotations better. Little trauma. Loved the PD but one of the interviewers was incredibly rude (apparently I'm not the only one, as I met several others on the interview trail who had the exact same experience.. not exactly the type of person you want representing your program.)

That is soooooo lame. One city has SEVEN programs. The WWAMI states (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) have ZERO programs. A quarter of the land mass as a good portion of population has no program. I'd have been happy to have traded interviewing costs with you. 😉

 

[OUHWT]

1. UNM-Albuquerque
2. Vanderbilt
3. Texas Tech-El Paso
4. Temple-Scott & White
5. UT-Southwestern
6. Utah-Salt Lake City
7. Orlando Regional
8. U. Missouri-KC
9. U. Tenn.-Chattanooga
10. UT-Houston

 

[dlung]

7. Drexel - really was anticipating much more from this program.. big selling point was that EM residents run the ICU out at a small community hospital in West Philly and do ~7 months there.. considering we never saw that hospital and have no idea what the pathology is like there, it was not a selling point to me.

Aw... You didn't hear the story about why they stopped sending applicants to that hospital? It's hilarious. So about 5 years ago, residents used to drive car-loads of applicants over there. Then one day, one of the residents, with his carload of applicants, finds a spot of the street. One of the applicants opens their street-side door and WHAM! a passing car rips off the door! Haha. I guess they never figured out a better way to show applicants that other hospital. The older the story gets the more I think it's urban legend, but I seem to remember meeting that resident on my interview 4 years ago and he didn't think it was so funny.

 

[Dr. Ditka]

Aw... You didn't hear the story about why they stopped sending applicants to that hospital? It's hilarious. So about 5 years ago, residents used to drive car-loads of applicants over there. Then one day, one of the residents, with his carload of applicants, finds a spot of the street. One of the applicants opens their street-side door and WHAM! a passing car rips off the door! Haha. I guess they never figured out a better way to show applicants that other hospital. The older the story gets the more I think it's urban legend, but I seem to remember meeting that resident on my interview 4 years ago and he didn't think it was so funny.

When I interviewed at Maimonides, one of the attendings said that it was him that it happened to. He said he felt terrible and ended up using his insurance and taking care of it.

 

[chicalifornian]

oops

 

[RxnMan]

Really surprised no one has ranked Cook County #1 yet...

Really surprised that someone excavated last year's thread for this year's match.

 

[chicalifornian]

Really surprised that someone excavated last year's thread for this year's match.

touche'

 

[RxnMan]

touche'

I was kidding. Go start up the 2010 thread! 👍

 

[Kris1]

I was kidding. Go start up the 2010 thread! 👍

Crappy doo! I read this entire thread not realizing it was from last year until I got to the end.

 

[Hamhock]

Crappy doo! I read this entire thread not realizing it was from last year until I got to the end.

I hope that is a joke.
Actually, maybe I hope its true for my own laughs
HH

 

[Pons de Leon]

It seems most people are explaining their rankings a bit. I think it will be helpful for next year's applicants, so I'll repost my list and add comments in.

Just wanna say thanks to you and the others from last year for adding comments... a lot of people are deciding between the same schools and it helps to have anybody's opinions