What is Maine Medical Center's reputation?

[debtridden]

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I am ashamed to say I am a late-comer to this forum. I just found out about it from a fellow interviewer and worked up the courage to post a question.

I've read many of your posts and I have to say you guys offer some great advice and opinons. Without badmouthing any program, I am wondering what people's opinions are of the MCC EM program. I'm not talking about location, shifts, etc, but just what the reputation of the program is on the street.

I mean, there are some programs that when you hear the name you think "bad ass", "amazing", while others you think "don't know" or "cush". That sort of thing, whether they deserve it or not. Of course, if you can tell us why you feel a certain way that'd be particularly helpful.

Thanks a lot.

 

[kungfufishing]

It is reputed to be one of the northernmost EM residencies, but that is just hearsay.

The one person I met during interviews who was a native "mainer" (Maineiac? Maineite? Mainean?) seemed to be pretty impressed with it.

 

[SoCuteMD]

It is reputed to be one of the northernmost EM residencies, but that is just hearsay.

The one person I met during interviews who was a native "mainer" (Maineiac? Maineite? Mainean?) seemed to be pretty impressed with it.

It's pronounced Mayne-uh. Drop the R 🙂.

 

[EctopicFetus]

It has a good rep. Truth is most EM programs are pretty good due to strict RRC requirements. Very competitive from what I hear due to a relatively small class size.

 

[basementbeastie]

yua cawn't giet thaya from heya





(i made the hookt on phonix spelling up but i think you get the idea)

 

[Apollyon]

yua cawn't giet thaya from heya





(i made the hookt on phonix spelling up but i think you get the idea)

Ironically enough, I was talking (vs people talking with me) about this just this evening - that is called the "non-rhotic" accent, which is when the R's are not pronounced. Interestingly (which is variable in it's interest), people with the non-rhotic accent will sometimes "overcorrect", which is where you hear the "warsh" and "idear" (for "wash" and "idea").

Wikipedia is a wonderful thing.

 

[8744]

Maine is ultra-prestigious. I know this because I wasn't offered an interview.

 

[Annette]

Maine is ultra-prestigious. I know this because I wasn't offered an interview.

Or they are at the bottom and didn't think you would dein to come to their little program 😉

 

[debtridden]

It is reputed to be one of the northernmost EM residencies, but that is just hearsay.

The one person I met during interviews who was a native "mainer" (Maineiac? Maineite? Mainean?) seemed to be pretty impressed with it.

LOL. Nice. In terms of latitude Maine is 43 degrees. For comparison Oregon's program is 45, Syracuse and Wisconsin are also 43, Albany, Boston and Buffalo are 42, Seattle (if they had a civilian program) is 47, Minneapolis is 44, and Chicago is 41.

I guess we'll have to see if Alaska starts a program; at a whopping 61 degrees north of the equator, Anchorage would take the cake.

So basically it sounds like it belongs in the "not sure" or "I hear it's good but doesn't blow my mind" category, like 70% of programs? I guess I enjoyed interviewing there and wasn't thinking about it much before but am now wondering if it should be moved up on my ROL. I want to go to a program that not only I feel good about but has a good rep, since I see myself wanting to move from place to place during my career.

Thanks for the input and keep them coming.

 

[colforbinMD]

Where is Saginaw Mi? That's gotta be up there.

 

[colforbinMD]

Where is Saginaw Mi? That's gotta be up there.

43 as well. GOOGLE Earth is awesome

 

[kungfufishing]

Agreed. When I lose my keys, I just pull up GE...

I think you are overestimating the importance of program reputation.

Find training that will provide you with the opportunity to turn yourself into a competent EP. This probably includes virtually every accredited EM program and the majority of places you interviewed. Narrow this list by personal fit. The reputation of your residency probably isnt as important as the networking opportunities it provides, especially in landing your first job.
After this I would expect your performance as a physician and track record to be the bottom line.

 

[debtridden]

Agreed. When I lose my keys, I just pull up GE...

I think you are overestimating the importance of program reputation.

Find training that will provide you with the opportunity to turn yourself into a competent EP. This probably includes virtually every accredited EM program and the majority of places you interviewed. Narrow this list by personal fit. The reputation of your residency probably isnt as important as the networking opportunities it provides, especially in landing your first job.
After this I would expect your performance as a physician and track record to be the bottom line.

Thanks and agreed. I am asking about Maine in the context that it is one of the 3-4 programs I felt a great fit with and can see myself there, and thus I'm wondering about the reputation. There are 3 or 4 programs I feel good about in terms of people, atmosphere, etc. All are good by virtue of strong RRC. All have good to excellent clinical exposure/pathology. All have shifts/hours I can deal with. All have good support staff. All are located in places I can see myself being for a few years. And on and on. I guess of these Maine is one of the ones that I feel like senior EM folks seem to know less about. Maybe that's not a fair statement, and that's what I want to find out.

BTW, I absolutely agree with you regarding networking, and I agree that one's own talent and work ethic will speak for themselves. I guess I would incorporate networking into my own working definition of reputation, because I feel like the more important part of reputation is comprised of the people (attendings, residents, staff) not the facility or pathology. If they have great people they will mostly have great contacts. Of course there are no guarantees and always exceptions, thus it becomes too difficult to assess (I can't exactly ask each attending at every program whom they know personally so that I know what kind of clout they each have). Anyway, the longer you're out practicing the less where you trained matters, but at the end of the day it follows you, like when people ask you about what school you went to (college or medical school), even if they don't base their decisions entirely on those facts.

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts. As always, SDN doesn't disappoint.

 

[flighterdoc]

It is reputed to be one of the northernmost EM residencies, but that is just hearsay.

The one person I met during interviews who was a native "mainer" (Maineiac? Maineite? Mainean?) seemed to be pretty impressed with it.

They'uh down east-uhs they'uh

 

[8744]

They'uh down east-uhs they'uh

Yo! Fighterdoc old buddy. How are things going?