What are your thoughts about the following programs?

[EvilNewbie]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have been offered several interviews at these institutions. I would like to go into dermatopath after my path residency and like your opinions in these programs:

1) UTSW

2) Cleveland Clinic

3) Ohio State University

4) SUNY - Brooklyn

5) Case Western

 

[garfield]

UTSW=Great program, happy people. Strong CP as well as AP training, lot of options. Key question: where will you be happy? You won't get the answer till you visit and interview at the places yourself. A lot of it depends on your gut reaction. The dermpath program seem to offer ~4 spots per year; they have 6 fellows currently. Mix of derm trained and path trained dermpath faculty.

 

[Doctor B.]

Based on an interview, Cleveland Clinic seemed like a good place but they see a TON of specimens. So many, in fact, that I was worried that the residents were probably overworked and the staff didn't have much time to teach with so many cases to sign out per day.

I didn't apply to OSU b/c at the time, they were going through a transition in program directors and I had heard some cautionary things. They may be right as rain now; I don't know.

 

[joedogma]

I can tell you a few things that I have heard...

Cleveland Clinic -- Have heard similar things that Doctor B has elluded to. Still a great reputation from what I understand. Waiting to hear from them about a view...

SUNY Brooklyn -- I have talked to people who have rotated through their path department and they seemed fairly unimpressed. The training is probably adequate but there are better options in NYC (I didnt even bother applying due to the advice from more than one person.)

Ohio State -- I have heard that they have some great faculty there...other than that, I dont know much. Plan to interview in January...

Dont know much about UTSW or Case Western...

Not much but hope this helps...

 

[EvilNewbie]

I have been offered more interviews and I am considering them.... I would like to go to a program that increases my odds of getting into a dermatopath fellowship. I didn't apply to any of the Top Tier schools cause I figure it would just be a waste of money and time but would like ideas on increasing my chances for a dermatopath fellowship.

 

[deschutes]

I have a general question about fellowships and sub-specialization that might or might not tie in with the subject of this thread -

Renal path is my thing currently, mostly in the context of a project.

Haven't done much neuro, haven't done much derm - and certainly not very much more of the other organ systems - so I didn't think that I should narrow my focus just yet, especially with limited exposure.

What do you think? Is 4 years enough to decide on an area of specialization, and mobilize the forces that will get me into the appropriate fellowship when the time comes?

(Not that I have any more neurons left over to stress out about something like this now... 😀 )

 

[GreatPumpkin]

What do you think? Is 4 years enough to decide on an area of specialization, and mobilize the forces that will get me into the appropriate fellowship when the time comes?

(Not that I have any more neurons left over to stress out about something like this now... 😀 )

The question should be is 2 years enough time to narrow your focus. If you are not applying for fellowships by the end of your 2nd year you are behind the curve. Many fellowships are filled two years in advance, especially competitive ones at good institutions.

 

[desmangt]

I have been offered more interviews and I am considering them.... I would like to go to a program that increases my odds of getting into a dermatopath fellowship. I didn't apply to any of the Top Tier schools cause I figure it would just be a waste of money and time but would like ideas on increasing my chances for a dermatopath fellowship.

The best bet to getting a dermpath fellowship in NYC is Cornell, Mt. Sinai, or NYU. These programs have dermpath as a fellowship and tend to take from within. I hope this helps.

 

[desmangt]

I didn't apply to any of the Top Tier schools cause I figure it would just be a waste of money and time but would like ideas on increasing my chances for a dermatopath fellowship.

By the way, all of the programs you mentioned are top tier programs. You really shouldn't worry that much.

 

[edamame]

if OSU is on your list because it has a dermpath fellowship,
be aware that the fellowship may not exist after this year.

 

[wolfe]

SUNY downstate has a very solid CP program especially in clinical chem. Residents are taking a lot of CP calls there. AP is not so strong compared to CP because of volume but residents rotate in 4 hospitals so they still see a large variety of cases. They have a new dermapath fellowship which is a part of Ackerman's group and it is a big dermapath program (take 4 persons?).

 

[EvilNewbie]

Thanks for all your info, it has been extremely helpful. I received more interviews and curious as to which program will enhance my chances for dermatopath fellowship:

UVA, Northwestern, NYU, Drexel, UT in Galveston, and Yale. There is also MCV/VCU but they didn't have a dermatopath fellowship. Any ideas as to which will really make me a great candidate for dermatopath?

 

[yaah]

I know you're not going to like this answer too much, but it needs to be said: The best way to make yourself a good candidate for a dermpath fellowship is to be a strong resident and take initiative on your own. Being at a program with good dermpath will obviously help you in these goals, but it is not the only thing.

That being said, UVA has great dermpath faculty, from what I have heard. And NYU has a great dermatology program (not sure about the dermpath part).

 

[desmangt]

I know you're not going to like this answer too much, but it needs to be said: The best way to make yourself a good candidate for a dermpath fellowship is to be a strong resident and take initiative on your own. Being at a program with good dermpath will obviously help you in these goals, but it is not the only thing.

That being said, UVA has great dermpath faculty, from what I have heard. And NYU has a great dermatology program (not sure about the dermpath part).

How can you have good dermatology without good dermpath?

 

[Matte Kudesai]

if OSU is on your list because it has a dermpath fellowship,
be aware that the fellowship may not exist after this year.

Yes the dermatopathology fellowship will be suspended at The OSU for one year. However we still have an unbelievable number of diverse and rare cases, and very well known dermatopathologist (Magro). The depatment also has a new chair Dr. Sanford Barsky. The program is growing and moving in a positive direction under the excellent leadership of our program director (Dr. Frankel).
The head of the college of medicine is Fred Sanfilippo who was chair of pathology at Hopkins. He turned that program around to one of the top programs in the country.
http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~wilkins/osu_and_ohio/Sanfilippo.html

He has a very dynamic vision for the medical center and great things have happened since he has been here.(see below)
http://medicine.osu.edu/about/

Our porgram is growing..... our cases are increasing every year and we are adding another residency spot for next year.

Dr. Barsky will be expanding the biomedical research aspect of the department.

Columbus is a wonderful affordable city of around 1.5 million. It is a midwestern city but has surprising diversity (check out the following link)
http://www.columbus.org/
We have placed residents into highly competative dermatopathology fellowship programs (MD Andersen last year). The dermatopatholgy fellowship will likely be reinstated in 2006/2007 because we have the experts and the case load to easily support it.

If you have any specific questions feel free to PM

 

[yaah]

How can you have good dermatology without good dermpath?

I don't know, but it happens. I think it basically depends on levels of interest in teaching, emphasis on training, and the like. How one goes about evaluating this, I have no idea.

 

[desmangt]

Yes the dermatopathology fellowship will be suspended at The OSU for one year. However we still have an unbelievable number of diverse and rare cases, and very well known dermatopathologist (Magro). The depatment also has a new chair Dr. Sanford Barsky. The program is growing and moving in a positive direction under the excellent leadership of our program director (Dr. Frankel).
The head of the college of medicine is Fred Sanfilippo who was chair of pathology at Hopkins. He turned that program around to one of the top programs in the country.
http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~wilkins/osu_and_ohio/Sanfilippo.html

He has a very dynamic vision for the medical center and great things have happened since he has been here.(see below)
http://medicine.osu.edu/about/

Our porgram is growing..... our cases are increasing every year and we are adding another residency spot for next year.

Dr. Barsky will be expanding the biomedical research aspect of the department.

Columbus is a wonderful affordable city of around 1.5 million. It is a midwestern city but has surprising diversity (check out the following link)
http://www.columbus.org/
We have placed residents into highly competative dermatopathology fellowship programs (MD Andersen last year). The dermatopatholgy fellowship will likely be reinstated in 2006/2007 because we have the experts and the case load to easily support it.

If you have any specific questions feel free to PM

Nice plug for OSU! I agree with Matte! OSU is a pretty impressive place, and Columbus is an awesome city. Seriously! I like NYC better, but I like BIG cities. Columbus is probably one of the great cities in this country that has a "big city" feel and a small city cost of living.

 

[Matte Kudesai]

http://medicine.osu.edu/news/download/StateMC012904_2md.pdf

 

[LADoc00]

Doesnt OSU have some crazy high tech super duper automated robot controlled straight from the Jetsons Clin Lab? I saw some presentation on it and crapped my pants. It was a huge room with robot arms everywhere.

 

[Matte Kudesai]

Doesnt OSU have some crazy high tech super duper automated robot controlled straight from the Jetsons Clin Lab? I saw some presentation on it and crapped my pants. It was a huge room with robot arms everywhere.

Yeah I love that robot. ?????

Are you serious or are you being a sarcastic little )(*&)(*&987987$%^^%$6

 

[LADoc00]

Yeah I love that robot. ?????

Are you serious or are you being a sarcastic little )(*&)(*&987987$%^^%$6

No Im dead serious, OSU has the most advanced automated Clin Lab in the world. It may not be at the main hospital but Ive seen mpeg's of it in action. All the equipment is jet black in a perfectly white room. Looks like a semiconductor manufacturing plant.

 

[Matte Kudesai]

No Im dead serious, OSU has the most advanced automated Clin Lab in the world. It may not be at the main hospital but Ive seen mpeg's of it in action. All the equipment is jet black in a perfectly white room. Looks like a semiconductor manufacturing plant.

I'm gonna check it out thanks

 

[LADoc00]

I'm gonna check it out thanks

The guy who runs it is hilarious. I met him once and he crapped all over me Andrew Dice Clay style then proceeded to lay into my attending (very prestigious hospital). He became an overnight legend in my program. I used to tell the story over and over: he walks up to me and says "So Dr. X, is this your fourth or fifth fellowship? You should be set for your next one, geriatric pathology at the Sunnyview retirement home, congratulations on your acceptance." Then turns to the microbiologist and says "Yeah without micro director what would happen? Oh, I forgot, just keep repeating the mantra: If you cant smell the plates, babies will die."

I nearly pissed my pants laughing so hard.

 

[Matte Kudesai]

No Im dead serious, OSU has the most advanced automated Clin Lab in the world. It may not be at the main hospital but Ive seen mpeg's of it in action. All the equipment is jet black in a perfectly white room. Looks like a semiconductor manufacturing plant.

Its a second generation Becton-Coulter fully automated system. I guess we get folks from all over the country visiting to check it out. Apparently it has decreased medical errors considerably.

I have walked by the room a number of times without realizing what was behind the door.

Its nice to have access to cutting edge technology. Thanks for the headsup LaDoc00