I can speak to the Miami program as I am a CA3 here. Firstly, I will admit I am biased, however I think in the very near future its going to become one of the top programs in the nation. The level of improvement over the last five years is dramatic to say the least. The Chair is a very driven man and has done an outstanding job in building the departments reputation and an incredible faculty. We have multiple book and research publications from all departments The oral board prep book Board Stiff and Board Stiff II were written by our PDs.
Because we are such a large program there are some real benefits. Firstly, we are one of the only programs the nation that is unionized. Our didactic sessions are totally protected and separated by class with CRNAs relieving residents. So instead of everyone attending the same lecture each week there is a separate CA1, CA2 and CA3 lecture. Also because of the size we get outstanding visiting lecturers. We work hard, but its not a workhorse program. Most days we are out by 3:00.
Jackson Memorial is a HUGE entity. Ive seen postings here from other residents commenting on the cases they see at their program and I have to smile a little. I can tell you for certain at Miami you will see everything there is and lots of it. We work the full array of transplants including entire month long rotations doing just livers. (Remember there are some programs in the nation that do no transplants at all, as well as several that are not attached to a trauma center. The diversity of cases here is absolutely amazing. It is one the main reasons I chose this program to begin with.
The OB department gets all the high-risk deliveries from entire area. (OB is one of the major strengths. Jackson works a tremendous amount of deliveries with a very large portion being C- sections.)
The other strength is Trauma Anesthesia. Jackson operates the largest level 1 Trauma department in the entire region. We have several fellowships per year and many residents from all over the nation doing electives in that department.
It can feel a little insane at times, particularly for the new CA1s, but they say some of the best surgeons come from combat hospitals. Well, for anesthesia were about the closest thing there is to that in this part of the nation.
Ive also read here that one major complaint about other programs is the lack of intra-operative teaching. Residents being left alone in rooms while the attending does who knows what. I feel one the smartest things our Chair did was designed a kind of bonus system for the attendings. These bonusess are paid based upon the reviews the residents submit of that attending. It is done in such a way that no one knows who wrote the review not even the Chairman or P.D. As a result we get enthusiastic teaching in the O.R. from almost every attending.
Lastly, Miami is a great place to live once you know your way around a little. South Beach is minutes away with all that area has to offer. Great beaches, nightlife, restaurants ect... The only real hassle is of course the hurricanes. Last season was great. The one before as you know was a pain, but its apart of living in So. Florida.
As you can tell, Im very happy to have done my residency at Miami.