UT Houston

[starbuckscoffee]

Hello,

Since my interview with UT-Houston is not until late February right before the rank list is due, I was wondering if anyone has any opinions about this program (positive or negative) that you'd like to share. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post something on the public forum.

I definitely know of Rapini and have heard that UT-Houston is a strong clinical program with a solid reputation. Any specifics would be great though!

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[Derm0505]

UT Houston is a SOLID program. You cant go wrong. Whether you want, dermpath, strong clinical or research opportunities - all are available. The faculty are really cool and you will enjoy your training.

 

[Dermophile]

I know it's kind of late, as I just recently saw this board, and as we've already turned in our ROL, but this will help those applying next year. I also saw on your other post that you ranked UTSW higher, which is very good on your part. UTSW has one of the top notch Derm programs.

I actually did a medical student rotation at UT-Houston on their Clinical Dermatology 4001 elective early on at the start of this academic year.

1) Actual research is only done by two faculty: Dr. Duvic, and Dr. Tyring. It's mainly clinical research only, not really much, if any, basic science research.

2) The residents seemed bothered and annoyed at having students around the entire month I rotated there. They really seemed to want to speed up, get things finished, and go home. They didn't feel like teaching students either, whether it was before, during, or after clinics. I noticed the difference compared to other places that I had rotated, where residents did some of the teaching lectures and group teaching sessions and wanted to teach younger med students.

At UT-Houston, they looked very unhappy at their program which was unusual considering they were in dermatology (maybe they felt like they weren't getting good resident teaching in return from faculty?). Overall, though, they just seemed to be pouty, spoiled whiners. Dr. Rapini, the chairman, was great.

3) I was highly interested in MOHS surgery and I got to go to several clinics of the faculty member who pretty much built UT-Houston's MOHS Surgery from the ground up (he's young, graduated from Harvard derm residency and did his MOHS fellowship at Mayo): http://www2.massgeneral.org/dermatology/press/pdfs/derm news 08 07.pdf, http://www.mdanderson.org/education...c-surgery-dermatologic-surgery-rotations.html (you can see the wonderful comments left behind by his former MD Derm Surgery rotators on him), and all of a sudden I found out in December that he had already left and was no longer part of the department. That was a huge red flag to me and there have been other faculty that have left UT-Houston too.

The program, when it comes to tier rankings gets a huge boost from their affiliation with MD Anderson Cancer Center, but that's about it.

Obviously, I ranked the program as this is Derm (rotators don't get formal interview days but are ranked), but I ranked it much lower than other stronger more didactic/teaching oriented programs.

 

[bungo]

I spent a month at UT Derm, and I had a great time. Residents were friendly and taught a ton. Faculty were incredibly nice. Drs. Jordon and Rapini are well known and both fun to work with. The UT students all ranked their home program very high even the two who were lucky enough to get 20+ interview invites.

 

[ihatethisproces]

is derm getting less and less competitive? i mean, if there are supposedly 6 open spots and then people with 20+ interviews....is it losing its edge?

 

[SkinPath]

is derm getting less and less competitive? i mean, if there are supposedly 6 open spots and then people with 20+ interviews....is it losing its edge?

Not sure... But some statistics to think about:

In 2001-2002, according to the ACGME website, there were only 905 dermatology residents on active duty. There are currently 1152 active residents, which is a 27% increase. I wonder how much the number of medical students increased in that same amount of time.

Of note, the US population increased by 9.8% from 2000 to 2010 (pending final numbers by the US Census).

 

[Dermophile]

I spent a month at UT Derm, and I had a great time. Residents were friendly and taught a ton. Faculty were incredibly nice. Drs. Jordon and Rapini are well known and both fun to work with. The UT students all ranked their home program very high even the two who were lucky enough to get 20+ interview invites.

Not all the residents were like what I said above, but definitely a sizable majority - enough to affect the atmosphere. The faculty did seem nice, but of course, that's pretty much expected when they interact with rotators. I luckily matched at my #1, so I was happy I didn't have to go too far down my list.

Of course students at UT-Houston will rank their own program high - it is after all, their home program with their med school and they are most likely from Texas, so naturally they'd want to stay in the same state. So far on the SDN list, three UT-Houston students matched in 5 of their spots.

 

[Cirrus83]

Not sure... But some statistics to think about:

In 2001-2002, according to the ACGME website, there were only 905 dermatology residents on active duty. There are currently 1152 active residents, which is a 27% increase. I wonder how much the number of medical students increased in that same amount of time.

Of note, the US population increased by 9.8% from 2000 to 2010 (pending final numbers by the US Census).

I dunno...from what I understand the stats you need are still creeping up year to year. I believe that applicants are applying far more widely in recent years though so I wonder if that has something to do with both the increased number of interviews (for the really stellar applicants) and also the increased number of unfilled spots. If stellar applicants are applying very widely then you're going to have lots of programs going for the same pool of top notch applicants.

 

[UTALUM]

UT Houston is a SOLID program. You cant go wrong. Whether you want, dermpath, strong clinical or research opportunities - all are available. The faculty are really cool and you will enjoy your training.

ditto

 

[UTALUM]

I know it's kind of late, as I just recently saw this board, and as we've already turned in our ROL, but this will help those applying next year. I also saw on your other post that you ranked UTSW higher, which is very good on your part. UTSW has one of the top notch Derm programs.

I actually did a medical student rotation at UT-Houston on their Clinical Dermatology 4001 elective early on at the start of this academic year.

1) Actual research is only done by two faculty: Dr. Duvic, and Dr. Tyring. It's mainly clinical research only, not really much, if any, basic science research.

2) The residents seemed bothered and annoyed at having students around the entire month I rotated there. They really seemed to want to speed up, get things finished, and go home. They didn't feel like teaching students either, whether it was before, during, or after clinics. I noticed the difference compared to other places that I had rotated, where residents did some of the teaching lectures and group teaching sessions and wanted to teach younger med students.

At UT-Houston, they looked very unhappy at their program which was unusual considering they were in dermatology (maybe they felt like they weren't getting good resident teaching in return from faculty?). Overall, though, they just seemed to be pouty, spoiled whiners. Dr. Rapini, the chairman, was great.

3) I was highly interested in MOHS surgery and I got to go to several clinics of the faculty member who pretty much built UT-Houston's MOHS Surgery from the ground up (he's young, graduated from Harvard derm residency and did his MOHS fellowship at Mayo): http://www2.massgeneral.org/dermatology/press/pdfs/derm news 08 07.pdf, http://www.mdanderson.org/education...c-surgery-dermatologic-surgery-rotations.html (you can see the wonderful comments left behind by his former MD Derm Surgery rotators on him), and all of a sudden I found out in December that he had already left and was no longer part of the department. That was a huge red flag to me and there have been other faculty that have left UT-Houston too.

The program, when it comes to tier rankings gets a huge boost from their affiliation with MD Anderson Cancer Center, but that's about it.

Obviously, I ranked the program as this is Derm (rotators don't get formal interview days but are ranked), but I ranked it much lower than other stronger more didactic/teaching oriented programs.

Let me qualify.

1) Yes, most of the residents are not happy. In fact, most would transfer out if they could.
2) Several of the attending are great clinicians but incompetent at running clinics efficiently. Some make for horrible clinics such as Dr Duvic.
3) All of the attendings are nice outside of clinic. This has no bearing on residents who have most of the interaction within clinic.
4) Yes, they lost Dr Nguyen and he was a great teacher.
5) Word has it that the Mohs team has improved with new additions allowing more real resident training and going beyond simple student retraction. Ask the current residents for feedback on the current Mohs. I have only heard GOOD things.
6) World class faculty. Oblivious to resident dissatisfaction. I have never liked academics, but I think it is a testament to the program that they have not produced an academic person in the past 10 years.
7) They have lots of basic science research in the derm program. However, the program does not encourage or even discuss these laboratories. Most residents are unaware of them as the program does not keep the residents in the loop. Again, if you are going into private practice, this is a non-issue. You can always do some of the more shady research as seen in many of Dr Duvic’s papers.
8) No one has to do research. I made it 3 years without a publication and no one said a word to me about having to publish…so again, why does the research really matter.
9) Don’t take my word for it. Look for fine differences between this program and others. Do residents get their own office space(no), business cards(no), parking(no), elective time comparable to other programs(no), actually treated like MDs(no) or more like MAs(yes)? But also take into consideration the exemplary training provided. I never felt the need to take an elective as I knew I was going to private practice, but some residents felt otherwise.
10) The program has poor “cosmetic” training.
11) The program has poor outdated “peds” training.
12) You get GREAT path training. It is especially nice as a 3rd year when you are solidifying everything.
13) When you interview, ask if/when the person running a specialty clinic was certified. Many are grandfathered in and thus very outdated in practice/skills.
14) Some will say this is still derm and still much better then surgery. So bear in mind, all of the comments above are comparing to other derm residencies and not to other specialties.
15) Rank every program. No matter how "relatively" bad it sounds.

***Parking is really expensive for such a small city.

 

[DermMatch]

But also take into consideration the exemplary training provided.

Based on the litany of weaknesses, I don't see how the program provides exemplary training. Ugh.

 

[reno911]

***Parking is really expensive for such a small city.

It is the 4th largest city in the US. Not exactly small in my mind.

 

[Dermophile]

UTALUM,

UT-Houston has access to many great hospitals in the vicinity(http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/r...s/HospitalsandClinics/HospitalsandClinics.htm)
in the Texas Medical Center area that are available, and has the ability to be one of the best programs, so why do they not take advantage of that? Is it because of competition from Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology?

1) I definitely got that feeling from them too - overall very unhappy, dissatisfied with their program, more interested in finishing up the workday and going home. It's understandable if it was General Surgery or OB-Gyn - not when it's Derm. "In fact, most would transfer out if they could." -- That's very unfortunate.

2) Yes, the timings of Dr. Duvic's clinics were horrendous, even late in the evenings, and she isn't very nice to the residents, fellow, or anyone around her. I was a rotating student so she ignored me most of the time. She seemed very agitated and moody taking it out on those around her. There were other attendings though as well - so much running around, but no time for quick academic discussion (like asking the DDx of lesions on a patient, etc.), it was on to the next patient. So different from other places I rotated at, where teaching was made to be a huge priority. I have no doubt, like you said that outside of clinic, they are very nice people.

3) What did you mean by "This has no bearing on residents who have most of the interaction within clinic." Meaning it's kinda irrelevant how nice the attendings are outside of clinic, as residents get to only really know their attending thru clinics?

4) Why did he leave? Considering he was such a great educator for residents, he should have been one of the last to leave as he was the one that built their MOHS program in the first place.

6) While the department may have world class faculty, I think the "oblivious to resident dissatisfaction" part is troubling, and would definitely result in not producing "an academic person in the past 10 years." After 3 years of dissatisfaction, I would think they'd want to run away as fast as possible from UT-Houston. While not all residents may necessarily go into academics, there is a natural expectation that in an academic residency program, there is academic teaching. When you were a resident there - did all or most Derm faculty come to resident teaching sessions that they have on Thursdays usually at HMC?

7) "The program does not encourage or even discuss these laboratories." --- Again, very unfortunate, so even if someone wanted to do it, it's not encouraged or discussed. What do you mean by shady research?

8) You're right I guess it more has to do whether your preference is for private practice vs. an academic center. But at most programs they at least encourage you to to publish a paper whatever it may be - case report, whatever. Still though, then why put any money in research in the dept. if you aren't even letting your residents take any part in it?

9) I saw that too. At other places, derm residents do get their own office space, business cards, parking, and elective time comparable to other programs. Maybe they think it's pointless to give those things as clinics are spread out in so many places - they should at least not make their own residents pay for their own parking.

10) So then it seems you're not even prepared for private practice.

11) Not a good sign either.

12) I imagine their Dermpath is great only bc a) Dr. Rapini, their chairman happens to be a Dermatopathologist (he's an author of his own Dermpath book as well as one of the main authors of the Dermatology reference with Bolognia) and does Dermpath teaching sessions for residents and b) MD Anderson where they are exposed to a wide variety of pathology - although probably more cutaneous oncology.

14) I did rank them, although near the very bottom of my list.

15) I think UT-Houston's policy has been with those who do a rotation with them, to rank them without a formal interview day. I guess, that could mean for all you know, they won't rank you but who knows. It's nice with respect to not having to fly out again for an interview.


Thanks UTAlum for your input, I definitely feel justified, more now, as before it was more of my gut feeling after the rotation, in ranking UT-Houston as low as I did and agree with what DermMatch just said.