I interviewed at about 10 places and each place has its positives and negatives.
1. U Penn - good new program with plenty of support and collaboration from NSG. Multimodality tons. You see everything trauma, bleeds, myasthenia. Lots of procedures but drains and licox put in by NSG but will teach you if you like. Positives very academic, will make you present 1 lecture per month which equals 24 when you are done from fellowship. Negatives, new, call is 7 per month for all 2 years, databases and clinical research not as developed as Columbia but on the up
2. U Cincinnati - If you like stroke as well then you should seriously consider this program with exposure to the best stroke program in the country. Plenty of procedures and willingness to teach how to do EVDs but multimodality monitoring is limited. But very good training and ED presence is def a plus.
3. Duke - solid program, limited multimodality monitoring but one of the first programs with plenty of mentoring, research opportunties, and much more practical call schedule. Def top program. Neurosonolgy course. Basic science aswell is one of the top.
4. U Chicago - smartest neurointensitivist in all of chicago and possible the entire midwest. You do all procedures but multimodality not as developed. Rosengart left due to Frank sex scandal but still I would trust a Neurointensivist out of this program especially if they stay 2 years.
5. NorthWestern - Faculty are young but Northwest has plenty of money and probably going to be stable. no multimodality but clinical research and basic science opportunities are there.
6. Rush - up and coming with very friendly young faculty with push for multimodality and new hospital coming with Dr Bleck this program will probably be the best in Chicago shortly. Also lots of exposure to stroke.
7. Wash U - Diringer is solid mentor and will get you what ever experience you want. Research & clinical. No EVD or Multimodality cause not proven, similar to Hopkins view. Tons of neuroimaging research. Busy with good training.
8. Stanford - consultative service but 1st year is all MICU, SICU, Trauma so you will be confident to handle sick patients. No multimodality and no EVDs procedures during NICU month during 2nd year. Lots of exposure to stroke and would be a good program for someone who is considering stroke as well as interventional in the future. Nice schedule beautiful city
9. Columbia - do I have to say anything. Closed unit, multimodality, tons of clinical research, call only once a week, time for research, all graduates go on to do what ever they want. # 1 program in the country from my point of view unless you like putting in EVDs, Licox, etc. That is only thing lacking. Also Mayer may be going to Mount Sinai as Chair.
10. UCSF - solid critical care training especially first year, integrated in neurovacular service at Mofitt hospital. Great mentors and opportunities but they realize lack of time for research and academic career development has been a complaint in past. They have tried to change it with more electives. Still one of Top programs aswell.
11. Emory - 4/21
12. Cedar Sinai - 4/24
Please add more comments for all these programs if you have interviewed there as well. That is just my first impression of the programs would love other views on the programs.
Sincerely,
Brain on Brains