UTSW question/concern

[snoozinsam]

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A graduate of my home institution was talking to me about different programs and his thoughts and I asked him about UTSW. He said that he didn't apply there bc of the controversy and lawsuits surrounding Dr. Cavanagh discussed in the book Waking Up Blind. Dr. Cavanagh is the vice chair of the program. Does anyone know more details about this or if it is detrimental to train under him? I'm just trying to make an informed decision and that isn't a question you can ask the program.

 

[OPPforlife]

Wow I had never heard of this. Incredibly sad. Three things we should all watch out for
1) operating on wrong eye
2) doing a procedure without written informed consent
3) getting emotionally or sexually involved with staff



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[lemonadele]

I have also heard this and was told not to apply here. I listened and did not apply, but am curious as to how accurate that warning was.

 

[anon_utswer]

I saw this and couldn't hold my tongue. I'm a recent grad from UTSW (within the last 3 years). Re: Dr. Cavanagh:

1) the man is brilliant. extremely smart, knows tons of basic science, and is a great teacher. he really knows corneal/anterior segment disease on a deep level and is happy to teach.
2) you rarely see him. as a second year, you spend one morning a week in clinic with him for 6 weeks. otherwise, you only see him if he lectures to you (maybe 1-2x a year) or is at a departmental conference (once every month or two). it's easy to forget he is part of the program unless you seek out contact with him.

tbh, I avoided reading that book because I wasn't sure what I would do with the information. He doesn't operate, and he doesn't take any new patients -- I think his main role is research (he's been writing grants for years) and administrative stuff. But I'm not sure what he actually does as vice-chair...I hardly interacted with him as I didn't apply cornea. It wasn't an issue for my fellowship applications -- I went where I wanted to go. If I was interested in cornea? Who knows if I would have gotten his rec letter -- I'm sure it could have been polarizing. But on the rare occasion that you do talk to him, it's a positive learning experience. For 99% of the residency experience, it's a complete non-issue...

 

[4ophtho]

Dr Cavanughs presence at UTSW should have NO bearing on whether or not to apply there
UTSW is a good program and one of the few programs in the country that has
1 - a VERY busy county hospital for seeing a lot of pathology
2 - a VA hospital for good surgical experience
3 - a private / attending clinic in all sub specialties
4 - childrens hospital for Peds experience
5 - no other ophthalmology programs for 100s of miles so that there is no competition for patients
I did not go to residency there but considered it very highly. Its a shame that people would avoid this program for such a silly reason. The events of this book happened decades ago.

 

[snoozinsam]

Thanks for the feedback guys

 

[Afakeic]

Can someone explain exactly how the call is divided among the hospitals each year by the residents at UTSW? How does taking call at JPS work since its in Ft. Worth? Thanks guys.

 

[idoktor]

Parkland call is divided among 4 pgy2 and 5 pgy3, first yrs split weekends and 2nd yrs split weeknights. JPS is 2 pgy2 and a pgy3, home call from Dallas, most weeknights dont need to come in, and 1-2 times per weekend. Childrens split bet 1 pgy2 and 2 pgy3. VA split between 2 pgy2 and 2 pgy3. The busy one is parkland.

 

[docta9]

Wow I had never heard of this. Incredibly sad. Three things we should all watch out for

3) getting emotionally or sexually involved with staff

DISCLAIMER: The following comment does not refer to UTSW.

There is a chair of another ophthalmology program that had sexual relations with a resident, getting her pregnant. He had to resign but became chair of another ophthalmology program.

 

[OphthoApp]

DISCLAIMER: The following comment does not refer to UTSW.

There is a chair of another ophthalmology program that had sexual relations with a resident, getting her pregnant. He had to resign but became chair of another ophthalmology program.

While this is not good behavior I am sorry but this doesn't remotely compare to the horrible acts of Cavanagh. He literally had no sense of right or wrong and performed countless unnecessary procedures and blinded patients.