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- Nov 24, 2007
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Hey everyone,
Long time reader, first time poster...
Recently interviewed at Wash U. and was VERY impressed. I haven't read much chatter this year about their program and am curious to get some feedback.
As I see it:
PROS:
1) Massive clinical center -- residents see a huge variety of pathology and leave that program with vast clinical experience.
2) Huge critical care presence. The anesthesia department exclusively runs the Cardio-thoracic ICU and has about half of the SICU attendings.
3) Almost any fellowship imaginable and plenty of volume so the fellows don't take cases from the residents.
4) Seems to be a very well organized program. Dr Cox (PD) and Dr. Evers (Chair) both seem genuine, clear (and consistent) in their vision for resident training and Dr. Evers appears to have a good deal of political power in the hospital.
5) Categorical program, very reasonable intern year with 2 ER months, an anesthesia simulator month and other variety.
6) No call for the first 3 months of CA-1 year
7) No problem for CA-3 to get choice jobs (from what they told us -- but I believe them). They all say they are VERY well trained.
8) Second highest NIH grant total ($) of any department in the country. Not a big deal for me becuase I'm not into research, but ompressive, nonetheless.
9) This is always listed as a con, but it shouldn't be! St. Louis appears to be a pretty cool town with a pretty cool personality. 3 major sports teams, great blues and jazz bars and AWESOME soul food. Let's face it, wherever we end up will become home and we'll adjust (and hopefully grow to like it)
10) Strong pediatric presence among the faculty with a peds hospital that is attached to the main hospital. The PD is a pedi anesthesiologist.
11) Reasonable number of residents (15 - 18 per class). Not too big.
Cons:
1) Longer work hours. This is both a pro and a con: a pro because longer work hours means greater clinical experience but it also means more time in the house.
2) Regional. Who isn't weak in regional? They are actively recruiting big names in the field and should have a dedicated rotation by this July.
3) Large hospitals can sometimes be difficult to work in. Surgeons can be ego maniacs, everyone is too busy, nurses can be difficult, etc... The benefits of a large place from a training standpoint outwiegh the cons, in my opinion.
As you can see, the pros out weight the cons and they'll likely be #1 on my list unless something changes. The only thing I didn't get there was a pina colada when they greeted us for the interviews!
Let me hear yout thoughts!! Thanks.
Long time reader, first time poster...
Recently interviewed at Wash U. and was VERY impressed. I haven't read much chatter this year about their program and am curious to get some feedback.
As I see it:
PROS:
1) Massive clinical center -- residents see a huge variety of pathology and leave that program with vast clinical experience.
2) Huge critical care presence. The anesthesia department exclusively runs the Cardio-thoracic ICU and has about half of the SICU attendings.
3) Almost any fellowship imaginable and plenty of volume so the fellows don't take cases from the residents.
4) Seems to be a very well organized program. Dr Cox (PD) and Dr. Evers (Chair) both seem genuine, clear (and consistent) in their vision for resident training and Dr. Evers appears to have a good deal of political power in the hospital.
5) Categorical program, very reasonable intern year with 2 ER months, an anesthesia simulator month and other variety.
6) No call for the first 3 months of CA-1 year
7) No problem for CA-3 to get choice jobs (from what they told us -- but I believe them). They all say they are VERY well trained.
8) Second highest NIH grant total ($) of any department in the country. Not a big deal for me becuase I'm not into research, but ompressive, nonetheless.
9) This is always listed as a con, but it shouldn't be! St. Louis appears to be a pretty cool town with a pretty cool personality. 3 major sports teams, great blues and jazz bars and AWESOME soul food. Let's face it, wherever we end up will become home and we'll adjust (and hopefully grow to like it)
10) Strong pediatric presence among the faculty with a peds hospital that is attached to the main hospital. The PD is a pedi anesthesiologist.
11) Reasonable number of residents (15 - 18 per class). Not too big.
Cons:
1) Longer work hours. This is both a pro and a con: a pro because longer work hours means greater clinical experience but it also means more time in the house.
2) Regional. Who isn't weak in regional? They are actively recruiting big names in the field and should have a dedicated rotation by this July.
3) Large hospitals can sometimes be difficult to work in. Surgeons can be ego maniacs, everyone is too busy, nurses can be difficult, etc... The benefits of a large place from a training standpoint outwiegh the cons, in my opinion.
As you can see, the pros out weight the cons and they'll likely be #1 on my list unless something changes. The only thing I didn't get there was a pina colada when they greeted us for the interviews!
Let me hear yout thoughts!! Thanks.
