Vascular Neurology Match 2020/ Interview Experiences

[Frozen-B]

It is this time of the year again! Wanted to started this thread to share our experiences as we go through the process and anxiously await our first interview offers.
The SDN stroke community hasn't been that active for a while and lot has changed since the last posts on the topic

Any Interviews yet ? where ?
Any thoughts on programs?

Good luck everyone and Happy Holidays !

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[Stroke7]

Hey! Great effort to start the thread

So far IV from Henry Ford, Brown, UCSD, CCF, UTSW, and BIDC!

 

[sand01]

So far have heard from UMiami, Stanford, & UMichigan.

Good luck to everyone applying!

 

[Stroke7]

Just wanted to keep this thread going. How is the season/interview trail going along for everyone?

 

[Frozen-B]

Take this with grain of salt...

CCF-Cleveland [4 spots]
EDUCATION - excellent training, with exposure to all aspects of stroke care. 6 months of stroke service (devided between wards and acute stroke pages) 6 months of electives (including NICU, NIR, neurosonology...) all fellows get enough cases to get certified in neurosonology. MSU and Telestroke. Dr. Uchino is very supportive and always making changes to the curriculum to make the experience better

RESEARCH - it's CCF, so unlimited potential, 7T MRI for vessel wall imaging research. A lot of database work from MSU, NIR to vasculopathy. Fellows go to ISC wether they are presenting or not but many have posters/presentations.

LIFESTYLE - call schedule would be 1/4. so one weekend on and 3 golden technically. Cleveland was not as bad as I i though. Reasonable cost of living.

Overall, great program to train and probably one of the best in the midwest.

 

[Frozen-B]

Cincinnati [1 (1-year) spot in the match, 2 (2-year spots) outside the match]
EDUCATION - very unique program with a focus on producing future acadmic stroke neurologists. Clinical time consists of 1 month in on wards, 1 month of NICU and 1 month of Neuroradiology (could be NIR). The rest is dedicated to scholarly work except call (5-6 per month). Big Telestroke network. You do not have to go in when on call ( i have read on other threads that fellows had to drive to 17 different hospitals when on call ) . This is not the case anymore, only one hospital within the network still doesn't have telestroke capabilities but working on it. The Stroke NCC ED and neurosurgery group seem very cohesive and the atmosphere is very collegial. Getting a MSU this spring

RESEARCH - STROKENET coordinating center with many prominent names in the field. Fellows are required to take graduate level course work (clinical research, stats, ethic etc) . If planning on 2 years then could get a masters degree during fellowship. Greta mentorship and many ongoing trials. In house seed grant for fellow projects.

LIFESTYLE - great clinical and call schedule. Cincinnati has a reasonable cost of living

PD is leaving to become chair at UMich. Upcoming PD is a graduate of the program, energetic and very approchable

 

[Frozen-B]

Emory-Atlanta [4 spots]
EDUCATION -extremely busy program covering 2 hospitals (Emory University and Grady-county hospital, 20 minutes between the 2 sites). Currently having 3 fellows and expanding to 4 this summer. I did not get a clear sense of what the 4th fellow would be doing (night float call system vs time on Grady wards).
1/3 of your time is at Grady (covering acute stroke pages, very busy), 1/3 at Emory(you cover acute stroke pages and clinics in the pm) and 1/3 elective. No dedicated NICU time or Neurosonology training although available if you want. They have a MSU at GMH that is covered by the grady fellow during the day. Very high volume (300+thrombectomy just at Grady)

RESEARCH - A strong NIR group that overshadows the rest of the division. NIR research operation with many research fellows. not clear how easily this is accessible to stroke fellows but some have taken advantage of that and presented at ISC. Many ongoing trials as past of Strokenet.

LIFESTYLE - with expansion to 4 fellows, would be q4 call. Have to come in for every thombectomy and t-pa (early in the year). Weekends can be extremely busy and so divided between fellows. Atlanta is nice city with great food scene and many attractions though more expensive than the above mentioned ones

Overall robust program in the heart of the stroke belt, very busy (be prepared to work hard)

 

[Frozen-B]

Miami [3 spots]
EDUCATION - Another historically strong and busy program covering Jackson (mostly) and the university hospital/VA. 1/3 of your time is at Jackson, 1/3 university hospital/VA and 1/3 elective/ outpatient clinic. (all sites are on the same campus) Clinic is busy and almost everyday (you get to work with Dr. Sacco in Clinic). A strong neurosonolgy lab. no MSU. Call schedule allows to be call free when on elective.

RESEARCH - a lot of ongoing research an trials. Access to Nomas and Florida-Puerto Rico stroke registries. Basic and translational research available (stroke animal models , stem cell research). Supportive faculty.

LIFESTYLE - Miami is one of those cities that you either hate it or love it. Nice weather and higher cost of living. Fellows seem to have time to enjoy things outside work despite the busy curriculum

 

[rrr89]

Hi all,

Some hopefully helpful info before finalizing rank lists. These reflect my opinions, so please take w/ a grain of salt. Good luck!

Ochsner

• Staff: Very friendly, 3-4 vascular neurologists, 3-4 neuro-IR (each specialty)
• Schedule:
• Alternate b/w intake week where you are on 7-5, then home call from 5-7 (need to come in during tPA, IAT then go home, no spending night in hospital)
• Service/elective week – when on service, on from 9-3, then go home
• Clinic: Every Thursday
• Didactics: Once a month
• Support: 8 APPs, will see acute strokes, always one on at night
• Residents: 3/yr, will spend one week a month on nights
• Imaging: CT-based, do not use RAPID however
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Extremely large, co-manage
• VA: Yes
• Neuro-IR fellowship: yes, but not guaranteed, can scrub in during intake week
• StrokeNET? Yes

UCLA

• Staff: Ranges from super famous (Saber, Liebeskind) to relatively down-to-earth (Rao)
• Schedule:
• 4 1-month blocks, on call for 2 months (Reagan, VA)
• Heavy clinic, multiple days/week
• Didactics: Every Friday AM conference, usually run by Saber
• Support: Unclear
• Residents: 4/yr
• Imaging: MRI-based
• EMR: Epic?
• Neuro-IR fellowships: ¾ fellows going to neuro-IR
• VA: Yes
• ICU: Separate unit, will manage strokes/bleeds
• StrokeNET? Yes

UMiami

• Staff: Friendliest on trail, Sacco is well-known, lots of young attendings
• Schedule: 3 rotations, start off 1 month block, then 2 weeks thereafter
• Jackson – busiest rotation, on call 1st wknd, off “wellness Monday”
• UHealth/VA – takes 2nd wknd
• Clinic/elective/vacation
• Didactics: Weekly conference Mon, GR Fridays, visiting professor lectures, neuro-sonography elective
• Support: 1 APP while on Jackson stroke
• Residents: 3/yr
• Imaging: CT-based
• EMR: Epic at UHealth, Cerner at Jackson, CPRS at VA
• ICU: Co-manage
• VA: Yes
• Neuro-IR fellowships: apparently 100% who want IR can get it (connection w/ NYU)
• StrokeNET? Yes, coordinates all of FL including Baptist

UToledo

• Staff: 1 dedicated stroke (Kung), 3 stroke/IR, all showed up and work closely together
• Schedule: 8 months stroke/ICU, 1 month rehab, 1 month sonography, 1 month vacation, 1 elective month (can do IR), 1 month radiology
• Come in for IAT, do not need to come in for tPA
• Clinic: ½ clinic a week
• 1-2 wknds a month
• Didactics: monthly stroke journal club outside hospital, weekly stroke conference, 1/month lecture that stroke fellow gives
• Support: Separate resident and PA services (can round w/ either)
• Residents: PGY-1 on stroke service along w/ 1 senior resident
• Imaging: CT-based, use RAPID
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Closed, co-managed by trauma, NSGY, stroke
• VA: No
• Neuro-IR fellowships: Reserve right to take it away, but should be included
• StrokeNET: No, but starting RCTs

Cleveland Clinic

• Staff: 6 endovascular (2 from each), several stroke w/ all different specialties
• Schedule: q4 w/ 1 fellow covering wknds
• One acute stroke service, one consult service
• Cover telestroke and mobile stroke unit
• 1 endovascular fellow
• Didactics: During table rounds, grand rounds
• Support: APPs help inpatient stroke services
• Residents: Many
• Imaging: Use CT more than MRI
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Follows in ICU, co-primary, 1 month elective
• VA: No
• Neuro-IR fellowships: Available
• StrokeNET: Yes

Stanford

• Staff: Very supportive, probably best mentoring on the trail, big names (Albers, etc.)
• Schedule: q3 call
• 1 acute stroke service w/ SIR (straight to intervention) call, also do neuro ICU call
• Outpatient (call frequency higher) w/ 3 ½ day clinics
• Elective (1-2 1/2 day clinics)
• Neuro ICU month
• Option for 2nd year
• Didactics: Monday stroke conference at 5PM, frequently give as fellos
• Grand rounds, visiting speakers, etc.
• Support: You run rounds, some residents/med students on team, unclear about APPs. Crit care fellow always in house
• Residents: Do not admit overnight thrombectomies, will manage existing service, strong overall
• Imaging: Heavy RAPID use, MRI as well
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Closed unit, they are primary on bleeds, gen neuro, but stroke primary as well; very supportive, get a lot of time in unit, one of major strengths of program
• VA: No but can moonlight
• Neuro-IR fellowships: No but can go onto endovascular elsewhere
• StrokeNET: Yes

UCSF

• Staff: Very nice, diverse, some young, some seasoned. Wade Smith is awesome.
• Schedule: q2-3 call for 8 months, rest not on call
• Consult and primary stroke service
• 50% of service are bleeds
• Didactics: Weekly stroke conference
• Support: You run rounds, some residents/med students on team, unclear about APPs.
• Residents: Very strong, lots of opportunities to teach
• Imaging: Not specified
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Open unit, will manage all stroke patients, up to half of service at any time
• VA: No but can moonlight
• Neuro-IR fellowships: No but can go onto endovascular elsewhere
• StrokeNET: Yes

MGH/Partners

• Staff: PD kind of socially awkward, but rest enagaging and do great research. ICU attendings very supportive
• Schedule: q4 call, all from home
• Acute and inpatient stroke services
• 12 weeks of ICU including 1 month at BWH
• 2 weeks at neuro-rehab w/ opportunities to learn Botox and moonlight
• 40 ½ day clinics/yr
• Didactics: Weekly Wed noon stroke conference, GR, 1/month journal club w/ Stroke editor
• Support: Unclear about APPs, but excellent facility and support
• Residents: Very strong, respond to stroke alerts
• Imaging: Recently started using CTP; MRI in ICU
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: 3 separate teams, will be included as part of team when rotating
• VA: No but maybe can moonlight?
• Neuro-IR fellowships: Run by NSGY, but well-connected, can help get you there
• StrokeNET: Yes

Penn

• Staff: Kasner is great, worked in clinical trials, PD very genuine, rest of staff young, Tulane grad is neurovascular lab director
• Schedule: q3-4 call
• 7.5 mo inpatient (2 services)
• 1 month ICU (no call, don’t really take care of patients)
• ½ day attending clinics on elective/outpatient, weekly continuity clinic
• Didactics:
• Weekly journal club, grand rounds, neuro-radiology, neuro-path
• Support: APPs at Presby and Penn but not at HOP
• Residents: 14/class, always in-house (junior)
• Imaging: CTP
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Closed unit
• VA: No
• Neuro-IR fellowships: Close to Cooper, has trained 1 neurologist
• StrokeNET: Yes

GWU

• Staff: Young, interested in growing program. Zurab is the old-school doc at VHS.
• Schedule:
• 4-6 months inpatient (either GWU or VHS)
• Alternate call w/ attendings
• 1 month neuro-IR (can scrub in)
• 1 month vacation
• 1 week for ISC, 1 week for Wake Forest neuro-sonology
• 1 month research (can do neuro-IR)
• 1 month rehab
• ½ day clinic 1/week (except when on neuro-IR)
• Didactics: No established program, room to grow
• Support: APP at both GWU and VHS
• Residents: Very involved, 4/class, will see all pts and staff w/ you
• Imaging: CT/RAPID
• EMR: Cerner inpatient, Epic outpatient
• ICU: Consultants
• VA: No
• Neuro-IR fellowship: INCLUDED
• StrokeNET: No, but starting some clinical trials (ASPIRE, etc.)

Emory

• Staff – lots of men but well-trained, Elissa/Digs are 2 women
• Schedule
• 4 months Emory, 4 months Grady
• Q3 night call, come in for intervention
• Split wknd coverage
• 3 months elective
• 2 months rehab
• ½ day continuity clinic/wk
• Didactics: weekly vascular conference, weekly case conference, grand rounds
• Support: Full support, residents/APPs run inpatients
• Residents: Stroke residents at both, very strong
• Imaging: Use CT, VIZ-AI and RAPID
• EMR: Cerner at Emory, Epic at Grady
• ICU: Closed unit
• VA: No
• Neuro-IR fellowship: Plenty of exposure, no guaranteed spot
• StrokeNET: Yes

Mt. Sinai

• Staff: Dhamoon – PD, very nice, research-oriented, Tuhrim – clinical affairs chair, Fara – clerkship director, systems of care, Shoriah – NIR, trained at Pitt
• Schedule: 6-7 mo inpatient (see below), neurorads, vacation, research, ultrasound/rehab, elective each 1 month
• 3.5 months at MSH (600+ strokes)
• 1 week blocks, wknights and wknd
• Resident first responder, consults in ICU
• Mt. Sinai Beth Israel (will be switching to Elmhurst)
• 1 night home call/wk, no wknds
• PA first responder
• Mt. Sinai Luke’s
• 1-2 night home calls/wk, no wknd call
• PA first responder
• Mt. Sinai West – primary hemorrhage site
• First responder – PA and resident (Beth Israel residents)
• Wed afternoon clinic
• Didactics: Tues AM NIR conference, every other Thurs stroke noon conference, GR on Fri, monthly journal club, quarterly multidisciplinary journal club
• Support: PA at almost every site, residents at 2, never first responder, not coming in for tPA or thrombectomy
• Residents: 3/yr, possibly 4th
• Imaging: Use VIZAI, Whatsapp to communicate
• EMR: Epic
• ICU: Closed
• VA: No
• Neuro-IR fellowship: yes, but not available for 2022 currently
• StrokeNET? Yes, will need to identify patients, 2nd year fellowship available

 

[Stroke7]

Very helpful. Thank you. Looks like Emory is great but the busiest!