I've recently been following some of the comments that have been made about the USC Dept of Ophthalmology's Residency program. I'd like to add to those comments in an effort to help those that genuinely seek it and perhaps to help curb the temptation of those that desire to be an authority on issues that they know little or nothing about. Public venues like this can be very helpful for those that want to know the inside scoop about programs and institutions such as residency programs. Furthermore, people should seek out this information so that they can be as well informed as possible.
First, I?ll summarize what has happened. Sledge2005 started a thread (I believe) by asking for a list of crappy programs so that he might increase his chances of getting into an ophtho program. Although I could say much about this strategy (good and bad), I'll forgo that so that I may say what I really want to say. Later 3rdSight posted a list of HIS OPINION of which programs were "crappy". USC Ophtho was on his list. GeddyLee seemed upset because he/she didn't match to a program that 3rd sight said was crappy. Visioncam then posted a message that was outdated (by at least seven years) and inaccurate in some regards and outright false in virtually every other.
I just completed my residency at USC Ophtho. I was the chief resident. I realize that my perspective would be interpreted as biased by some. But let me demystify some of the second and third hand info from someone who really knows. I am no longer affiliated with the University and really have no impetus to paint any pretty picture. I do want the truth to be established so that someone might actually benefit.
About six years ago USC hired a new chairman, Dr Richard Davis. He is a board certified ophthalmologist that received his Fellowship training (at Dean McGee) from one of the foremost cornea specialist in the country. He is a full time chairman, not a community based MD. A new chair was hired (about six years ago) because things weren't in the best condition, and the university wanted them to be better. Since that time USC has made giant strides to become an outstanding program for residents and a center for excellence for patients in both North and South Carolina.
There are currently 6 full time faculty members and 8 part time or volunteer faculty that cover every subspecialty except ocular pathology and neuro-ophth.
Last year our applicant pool was so strong we actually had to turn away people who did not score at least 225 on their USMLE test. For the past few years, our rank list has only been 20 names or so and seldom have we ever matched anyone past #10. The RRC just gave USC the highest accreditation status that they can. The comments by spdljohn are all verifiably true. This does not sound like a crappy program. It sounds like a program that is highly sought after by people who know what to look for in a program.
In my three years at USC, I performed over 165 cataract surgeries open to close. I was trained to do a topical clear cornea phaco in 12-15 minutes. In addition I performed (open to close) about two dozen trabeculctomies, several tube shunts, 11 corneal transplants (one open-sky, another as a triple procedure and three with IOL exchanges; most of these cases were staffed by Dr. Davis himself). I performed posterior sutured IOLs as well as an abundant number of ptosis repairs and blepharoplasty cases. Additionally, I performed about 12 LASIK procedures (only a handful of programs train residents to do LASIK), presented a paper at ARVO and scored respectably on my OKAP examinations. My two colleagues also had similar experiences as well. None of these things are very demonstrative or consistent with a crappy program. (Some of these statistics may not mean much to you because you may not know what they mean; sorry). Ask other residents at other programs if they have had similar experiences. Some programs struggle to get 45 cataracts (much less phacos) and others end up canceling more cases than they do.
Finally, I know every grad from this program for the past three years. I cannot imagine them saying anything as negative as has been purported. The attendings are very helpful and kind. They love their job and their profession and are committed to teaching residents. Every program has its strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately the weaknesses that have been posted about USC simply are not true.
For anyone who genuinely wants to get into an Ophtho program, please know this. It IS very competitive. Please look at USC closely. Talk to the residents and past residents first hand. Most of us are more than happy to tell you about our experiences.
Sorry about the tirade. I hope this is helpful to someone. My strong caution is out to Visioncam who falsely posted information as truth. My caution also goes out to anyone who relies too heavily on the OPINIONS of others (i.e. 3rd Sight).
Good luck GeddyLee. Ophtho is a fantastic profession. You will LOVE it!
Sledge, keep on trying!
Vwhan, get a clue (and a list of all Ophtho programs;
www.sfmatch.org)
you must really want to get into ophthal. With that much dedication though, you deserve a good program, not a crappy one. Good luck with your search.
