Question on Programs

[updoc]

Anyone have any comments or info on:
University of Minnesota
Boston University

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[ring mod]

boston university: up and coming 2nd tier program - previously weakest in boston, but now has the va affiliation that was lost a few years ago by tufts, making it arguably stronger. new director previously at the university of massachusetts who seems to have a vision for the program. plenty of pathology, although if you want to see zebras they're all at meei, but the residents get more surgical experience than meei. call (q3 for pgy 2's)sees a lot of ocular trauma because of the area of boston that the medical center is in. previously weak in terms of research but again, things seem to be changing under the new director. not a program with tons of money, but facilities are decent. they take 4 residents/year with heavy representation of their home program. majority of faculty are enthusiastic about teaching but there are a couple that would rather not have you in their way.

rm

 

[Photon Catchers]

Thanks for the info Ring Mod...

I also have questions about programs, and I'm not sure what the best way is to find out answers. I have some interview scheduling conflicts, so I am forced to decide on programs before I have the chance to visit. (Why does everyone interview on the same 4 days? )

Can anyone offer input of any of these programs?

Oregon HS vs. Boston Univ
Univ Florida Tampa vs. LSU
Scheie vs. Stanford
Univ Washington Seattle vs. Univ of So Cal (Doheny)

I would love to contact alumni or current residents to get their input, but, as I read in another thread, this could be alarming for unsuspecting trainees Websites don't tend to be very helpful in determining the satisfaction levels of current residents, so word of mouth is helpful!

Cheers,
PC

 

[guttata]

>Thanks for the info Ring Mod...

>I also have questions about programs, and I'm not sure what the best way >is to find out answers. I have some interview scheduling conflicts, so I am >forced to decide on programs before I have the chance to visit. (Why does >everyone interview on the same 4 days? )

>Can anyone offer input of any of these programs?

>Oregon HS vs. Boston Univ
-definitely Casey, it is awesome in every respect
-great surgical numbers/volume/pathology
-expanding facilities
-beautiful eye institute/environment
-portland is great (though cloudy)
-awesome residents
-very good fellowship placement

>Univ Florida Tampa vs. LSU
-toss-up here (I am sure there are rumors circulating about these programs)
-I forget, isn't LSU a five year program?


>Scheie vs. Stanford
-cannot comment

>Univ Washington Seattle vs. Univ of So Cal (Doheny)
-cannot comment

 

[Microdish]

I think you should just start to think about where you would rather live...a great program in a place you don't want to be isn't going to make you happy. One person's perfect place is another's nightmare

 

[Photon Catchers]

Thank you for the info and advice! LSU is an extra year, so that is something to think about....

As I start to look at logistics of travel, I am starting to worry that my destiny will be decided by flight schedules .

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of location vs. program quality and I'm coming up with a draw... What would be better? 1) Living in a great locale in a program filled with unhappy residents (for whatever reason) or 2) Being at a stellar program in an unsavory location. Hard to say!

Here's the latest conflict:
Univ of Arizona vs. Temple (Philly)

Help!

 

[Microdish]

Do you want to be big in academics? If so then the name means a lot. I am no expert, but I feel like from what I hear Doheny has a big name.

Do you meet people easily, especially outside of work? If not then being in a program with residents you don't like would not be good. IF you already know people in a city, then that always helps.

How much have you lived in different parts of the country...I think most people have some areas they like more than others. A lot of people I know think the northeast is great, I don't, but didn't realize that until moving there.

 

[Photon Catchers]

Do you want to be big in academics? If so then the name means a lot. I am no expert, but I feel like from what I hear Doheny has a big name.

Do you meet people easily, especially outside of work? If not then being in a program with residents you don't like would not be good. IF you already know people in a city, then that always helps.

How much have you lived in different parts of the country...I think most people have some areas they like more than others. A lot of people I know think the northeast is great, I don't, but didn't realize that until moving there.

I AM interested in doing a fellowship, but I still want a lot of surgical practice during residency. From what I hear, going to a program with a large number of fellows can often limit what you can do, since the fellows get first dibs at many specialized procedures.

Residents from other programs seem to agree on a few things about Doheny: they offer lots of autonomy and they see a good variety of diseases (LA county hospital sees everything). On the other hand, you may not get the guidance you need if you are not an independent learner. Also, is it true that during your last year, you are responsible for finding an attending to work on your case with you and sometimes they don't come? Sounds frustrating.

In terms of location, it sounds like you may have some northeast warnings to impart ? I have never lived in a really cold place, but I thought that, if the program and area are great, then I could put up with 3 years of bad winters. (?) I've been planted in the same area for about a decade, so change could be a good thing....

 

[Microdish]

As for Doheny specifically, I really cannot comment. From faculty comments I would say that if you not only want to do a fellowship but have a bigtime research/academic career, going to the most prestigous program is probably the best bet, even if you don't get as much surgical volume while there. You will learn how to do what you want to end up doing in fellowship anyways.

As for the northeast, I should qualify that and say that my experience was limited to a smaller town. It was not the weather (it is not that bad), more the vibe from the city. But lots of people love it--we all like different things, and I just should have paid attention to my gut when visiting. Boston and Philly I visited and thought were fantastic. If you are even interested in a change, then by all means, at least interview at some different places, otherwise you may regret it later. Just know what is important to you...if sunshine is, the northwest may not be good--but if not, it has stuff to offer. (I have known people who moved there and had serious adjustments to that) If you like walking cities and history, then the northeast may be great for you.

 

[2020]

Thank you for the info and advice! LSU is an extra year, so that is something to think about....

As I start to look at logistics of travel, I am starting to worry that my destiny will be decided by flight schedules .

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of location vs. program quality and I'm coming up with a draw... What would be better? 1) Living in a great locale in a program filled with unhappy residents (for whatever reason) or 2) Being at a stellar program in an unsavory location. Hard to say!

Here's the latest conflict:
Univ of Arizona vs. Temple (Philly)

Help!

AZ is supposed to be a small, friendly program. The chair seems like a nice guy but did get socked with a big LASIK malpractice suit, for which he lost. Do they have an oculoplastics guy or do they rely (on paper) on Bob Dryden? I think Arizona would be a nicer program (no consideration about the city) to be a resident.

As far as the other question, if you chose #1, you will be unhappy in a nice city. With #2, you will be happy Monday through Friday but bored on the weekends. If the program does not have Saturday conference, you can always fly to another city once every few weeks.

LSU has trouble filling its spots with the top people. So some may want to gamble and interview there for an "easy" spot.

 

[JennyW]

Thank you for the info and advice! LSU is an extra year, so that is something to think about....

As I start to look at logistics of travel, I am starting to worry that my destiny will be decided by flight schedules .

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of location vs. program quality and I'm coming up with a draw... What would be better? 1) Living in a great locale in a program filled with unhappy residents (for whatever reason) or 2) Being at a stellar program in an unsavory location. Hard to say!

Here's the latest conflict:
Univ of Arizona vs. Temple (Philly)

Help!

I can't believe this is even an issue. Your residency will be a few years. Your career will be many many more. Go with whichever program you think is the best regardless of where it is. If nothing else, it will give you the opportunity to live and work in a city for a few years that you probably never would have done otherwise. If you are in a wonderful city, but are surrounded with miserable people, do you honestly think that living in a nice city will make up for it? I wouldn't bet on it.

Jenny

 

[mdkurt]

Thank you for the info and advice! LSU is an extra year, so that is something to think about....

As I start to look at logistics of travel, I am starting to worry that my destiny will be decided by flight schedules .

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of location vs. program quality and I'm coming up with a draw... What would be better? 1) Living in a great locale in a program filled with unhappy residents (for whatever reason) or 2) Being at a stellar program in an unsavory location. Hard to say!

Here's the latest conflict:
Univ of Arizona vs. Temple (Philly)

Help!

Go with your gut, and as the season wears on some programs will open up second interview dates to accommodate some applicants. I can't comment on Stanford, but Scheie residents seem happy and the faculty I've been in contact with are not malignant. They're associated with the Philly VA, which is a plus. I also can't comment on Arizona, but Drexel is going through some changes. Very laid-back faculty, not malignant. They're also associated with a VA that's 2 hours away, so surgical volume is good. Remember that the experience is what you make of it, but it's hard to get around low surgical volume. In all the lies you'll hear on the interview trail, that's one thing they usually can't fib around.

 

[nazkaz]

Does anyone have any advice on Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX versus UNMC in Nebraska?

 

[rfint]

Just some thoughts about Philly: There are quite a few programs in that city. I think that would make surgical numbers a little lower.
If anybody has any info on Lubbock, I would also be interested.
The info on LSU other than on this forum is pretty scarce anything there would also be appreciated.
Does anyone have thoughts about St Louis (University of, not Wash U)? Or Kresge in Detroit, or U of Minnesota?
My Line-up so far:
St Louis,
Lubbock, TX
San Antonio, TX
Kresge Eye center, Detroit
Pittsburgh U
LSU
U of Minnesota
Any thoughts?

 

[2020]

Does anyone have any advice on Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX versus UNMC in Nebraska?

Tough question. Nebraska appears to be a nice, smaller program. I interviewed at Texas Tech for medical school but have not been there in recent years. Rumor from reliable sources who are not fooled easily think that Texas Tech is also a nice, smaller program. They have fired a resident in the recent past but I believe the resident was more at fault than the program. The old chair also had a fight with the school and got the axe. Fculty member Clint Gregg seems to be a nice guy in Lubbock. I'd lean toward Nebraska a bit. If you want to do cornea, Texas Tech may offer a slight advantage. If you want to do oculoplastics, Nebraska may offer a slight advantage. Of course, if the key faculty member gets mad and quits within 3 years, you may be out of luck.

 

[speyeder]

Thank you for the info and advice! LSU is an extra year, so that is something to think about....

As I start to look at logistics of travel, I am starting to worry that my destiny will be decided by flight schedules .

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of location vs. program quality and I'm coming up with a draw... What would be better? 1) Living in a great locale in a program filled with unhappy residents (for whatever reason) or 2) Being at a stellar program in an unsavory location. Hard to say!

Here's the latest conflict:
Univ of Arizona vs. Temple (Philly)

Help!

1) Arizona vs. Temple
-Don't know how sound my reasoning is but I would pick Arizona because it's the only ophtho program in that state. Temple competes with Drexel, which is also in Philly. Keep in mind too that Pennsylvania has 7 ophtho programs. Also a friend of mine who goes to Drexel told me that all the interesting cases go to either Wills or Scheie, so from a pathology standpoint, your caseload might not be as diverse.

 

[Photon Catchers]

Thanks again for the input everyone!!!

There is some great info about programs on scutwork.com. Although only a few programs are mentioned, the comments are extensive and helpful....

 

[flipmode]

AZ is supposed to be a small, friendly program. The chair seems like a nice guy but did get socked with a big LASIK malpractice suit, for which he lost. Do they have an oculoplastics guy or do they rely (on paper) on Bob Dryden? I think Arizona would be a nicer program (no consideration about the city) to be a resident.

As far as the other question, if you chose #1, you will be unhappy in a nice city. With #2, you will be happy Monday through Friday but bored on the weekends. If the program does not have Saturday conference, you can always fly to another city once every few weeks.

LSU has trouble filling its spots with the top people. So some may want to gamble and interview there for an "easy" spot.[/Q

I don't know where you got your information about Dr. Miller, chairmen at Arizona. He's a pediatric specialist and doesn't do any LASIK cases.

 

[2020]

don't know where you got your information about Dr. Miller, chairmen at Arizona. He's a pediatric specialist and doesn't do any LASIK cases.

Oh! I wonder why I didn't hear about it at the Academy. The guy stepped down as chair earlier this year and is now in private practice in Tucson.

 

[YAGman]

Does anyone have any info about the programs at Yale or Florida (gainesville)? I know that Florida has an interim chair right now, but does anyone have any additional info?

 

[Eyelet]

Hello!

I love Chicago... Interview at Loyola was very chill and laidback, faculty were super nice. Is anyone familiar with the program at UIC? (pros/cons) Thanks for any help!

 

[rfint]

I am facing my next dilemma:
Duke versus Lubbock
What would be the advantages of one over the other?
Thanks!

 

[nazkaz]

Tough question. Nebraska appears to be a nice, smaller program. I interviewed at Texas Tech for medical school but have not been there in recent years. Rumor from reliable sources who are not fooled easily think that Texas Tech is also a nice, smaller program. They have fired a resident in the recent past but I believe the resident was more at fault than the program. The old chair also had a fight with the school and got the axe. Fculty member Clint Gregg seems to be a nice guy in Lubbock. I'd lean toward Nebraska a bit. If you want to do cornea, Texas Tech may offer a slight advantage. If you want to do oculoplastics, Nebraska may offer a slight advantage. Of course, if the key faculty member gets mad and quits within 3 years, you may be out of luck.

Thanks for the insight 2020! I think that I may go for Nebraska....I hope I am making the right choice

 

[LASIKguy]

NazKaz:

If I were you, I would go to Texas Tech. The advantages I saw were:

1. Chairman has be there for past 12 years. He is a cornea guy and was trained at UCSF/Wilmer, there are no fellows. You perform around 200 phacos and also get certified in LASIK (which is rare for any ophtho program these days). There are no fellows to steal the cases, you do everything!! Its awesome if you want to do cornea.

2. Glaucoma: Dr. Wilson (trained at MEEI) joined the faculty two years ago, and also serves at TTU president. He is a renowed glaucoma expert. If you want to do glaucoma, you wont go wrong since a letter from him will get you a spot anywhere.

3. Pediatrics: Dr. Brown is a famous pedi ophtho. As I said above, you do all the cases (on private and non-private patients).

4. Oculoplastics and Neuro-ophtho are not exceptional.

Overall, program is very laid back. You work around 40-50 hrs/week. All call is home call and nobody is malignant in that program. Downside to the TTU program is that they take only 3 resident/yr so you really have to show interest in the program.


Email [email protected] or read his review. He is a resident there and was very helpful.

 

[2020]

I am facing my next dilemma:
Duke versus Lubbock
What would be the advantages of one over the other?
Thanks!

Many people would choose Duke, but there are certain cases where I could see someone picking Texas Tech. There are certain aspects where Texas Tech is better than Duke.

 

[nazkaz]

UNMC (Nebraska) vs. Boston U vs Memphis

I can't believe all these places interview on the same days

 

[ZR1]

OK i was just wondering if anyone had any comments on the following programs, just to see what ppl know about them.

1.RUSH
2.Eastern Virginia
3.West Virginia
4.Kentucky
5.SUNY Brooklyn
6.SUMMA
7.Kresge Eye (Wayne State)
8.U South Carolina
9.UT Chatanooga
10.Howard U
11.UT Memphis

 

[rjp202]

i'm trying to decide which interview to decline amongst boston u, tulane & rochester. someone had already written about bu, so does anyone else have any insight on tulane & rochester?

thanks

 

[YAGman]

Does anyone know what's happening at UIC? I heard the chair may be leaving or has left? Has anyone interviewed there yet who can share some info?

 

[Eyelet]

Does anyone know what's happening at UIC? I heard the chair may be leaving or has left? Has anyone interviewed there yet who can share some info?

UIC currently has an interim chair... but the department seems to be going pretty strong still... they ranked 10th in the nation in NIH funding in Ophthalmology, and overall, the residents seemed really happy. They weren't too excited about the Sat morning lectures, but they really liked living in Chicago, went on to good fellowships, and just seemed like a really cool group. Lots of surgical exposure too. --The R1s are really cool... they'd be awesome future chiefs.

 

[YAGman]

UIC currently has an interim chair... but the department seems to be going pretty strong still... they ranked 10th in the nation in NIH funding in Ophthalmology, and overall, the residents seemed really happy. They weren't too excited about the Sat morning lectures, but they really liked living in Chicago, went on to good fellowships, and just seemed like a really cool group. Lots of surgical exposure too. --The R1s are really cool... they'd be awesome future chiefs.

Thanks Eyelet! Good luck on the interview trail...

 

[Redhawk]

OK i was just wondering if anyone had any comments on the following programs, just to see what ppl know about them.

1.RUSH
2.Eastern Virginia
3.West Virginia
4.Kentucky
5.SUNY Brooklyn
6.SUMMA
7.Kresge Eye (Wayne State)
8.U South Carolina
9.UT Chatanooga
10.Howard U

I can only comment about Kresge, as I didn't interview at the others, and I'm actually starting at Kresge next year.

If you're interested in Retina, it's a great place to go. The Chairman, Gary Abrahms, went to MCW when it was one of the big residencies, and did his fellowship in retina at Bascom. He is President of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), where he is President Elect. From what I've been told, he actually turned down the chair position at Bascom before Puliafito accepted it.

There are a bunch (6-7) of retina faculty and are well represented in most of the other subspecialties (There are multiple faculty in each subspecialty except maybe (?) neuro and plastics. I can't remember). Currently they have fellows in Retina (3), Plastics (1), Peds (1), and Glaucoma (1).

Call is Q6 and, after the first 5-6 months of 1st year, is from home. 2nd years do backup call for the 1st years (again in house at first). Third years really only go in when there is surgery to do. One of the first years I saw the other day said he works about 50-60 hrs a week.

Detroit isn't the greatest place to live (although Royal Oak is a great place to live and hang out) but there is a lot of pathology, as you might imagine. From what I remember the surgical numbers are strong, but not as high as some places. The vibe I got during my visit was very good. The residents seemed happy with the program and the program director seems to really be an advocate for them.

 

[ZR1]

hey thanks redhawk, i really look forward to interviewing there...i feel lucky i got one...
thanks again,

take care

 

[ZR1]

ok i have to pick between EASTERN VIRGINIA and UT MEMPHIS and i really dont know much about either..could anyone give any input and let me know what they would do?

THANKS!

 

[GeddyLee]

ok i have to pick between EASTERN VIRGINIA and UT MEMPHIS and i really dont know much about either..could anyone give any input and let me know what they would do?

THANKS!

I interviewed at Memphis and really liked the program. Dr. Haik is a great guy and a big name in the world of oculoplastics. They are building an eye institute which will put all of their clinics, OR's, lectures, labs, offices, and research in one building. Presently things are a little scattered, with residents going to different locations for different clinics, etc. That will all change very soon though, as the institute is supposed to be operational within the next year or so. I think the program is really great, in fact, it was ranked last year in the top 10 for resident training if I remember correctly. Memphis is cool, especially if you love the blues. Be sure to go downtown to B.B. King's while you're there. Of all my interviews, that was the most memorable and I had a great time. I would have loved to have gone there and I ranked it very high. You will get lots of experience with trauma and oculoplastics, which are 2 areas many programs lack in. You will also get more than enough in the way of surgical numbers. If you are interested in oculoplastics, I think a LOR from Dr. Haik will go a long way. I have heard that Memphis is fairly high in crime, but like any other city, if you stay away from bad areas, you will likely be fine. I felt plenty comfortable when I was there. The place is a little ELVIS crazy though, especially around the King's birthday.

I don't know much about Easten Virginia except that it cannot possibly offer the opportunities of UT-Memphis. It's also in norfolk which is less than desireable. If I had to choose between these 2 programs for an interview date, hands down, UT-Memphis would be the winner. I can't say enough about that program. I think Eastern Virginia probably qualifies as a lower tier program, based on what I've heard.

Geddy

 

[Photon Catchers]

Can anyone help with the next round of decisions?

Sheie vs. NYU
Univ of Colorado vs. Howard U
Emory vs. UCSD

Also, anyone know anything about these programs: Temple, Geisinger, Mt Sinai, NYMC?

Thanks!!

 

[rfint]

Hey Photon,

I can just tell you a little bit about Geisinger: Very good surgical numbers, small program which means some stressful times. They send their residents to the review course in Maine.

 

[Mirror Form]

I don't know much about Easten Virginia except that it cannot possibly offer the opportunities of UT-Memphis. It's also in norfolk which is less than desireable.

I've never been to Norfolk, is that town that bad? I just assumed it would be a fun place to live based on its location on the chesapeake bay and also since it's only half an hour to Virginia Beach.

 

[Photon Catchers]

Hey Photon,

I can just tell you a little bit about Geisinger: Very good surgical numbers, small program which means some stressful times. They send their residents to the review course in Maine.

Thanks for the advice! Why is a small program stressful? More call? Fewer residents to socialize with? Maine seems a bit far, I wonder why they don't send their residents somewhere closer....

Anyone have any thoughts on Colombia vs. Cornell? Would it be possible to interview at one in the AM and one in the afternoon, or should I make my decision before I go Ugh! This whole experience is making me dizzy....

 

[guttata]

Thanks for the advice! Why is a small program stressful? More call? Fewer residents to socialize with? Maine seems a bit far, I wonder why they don't send their residents somewhere closer....

Anyone have any thoughts on Colombia vs. Cornell? Would it be possible to interview at one in the AM and one in the afternoon, or should I make my decision before I go Ugh! This whole experience is making me dizzy....

I think it's definitely possible to interview at two NYC programs on the same day. I know someone who interviewed at two programs, one in NYC and one in Philadelphia on the same day. The programs have to be a little flexible and understanding (as you may miss tours/lunch; will have to schedule early/late interviews).

 

[golgi]

Anyone know anything about the Univ. of Colorado ophtho program? Thanks!

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Anyone know anything about the Univ. of Colorado ophtho program? Thanks!

It is small. Many of the faculty are private practice ophthalmologists. The chair has been asked to step down. There was minimal research opportunities when I applied in 2001. However, it's in Denver and an awesome place to live.

 

[guttata]

Anyone know anything about the Univ. of Colorado ophtho program? Thanks!

From what I can remember..... Colorado is actively recruiting young faculty. The facilities are awesome. Surgical volume is so-so. There is a general consensus among last year applicants (whom I met) that this is a program on the move, in a good direction.

Denver also seems like a great place to live - if you like 280-300 days of sunshine.

 

[rfint]

Any opinions on San Antonio vs Henry Ford?

 

[JR]

Anyone know anything about the Univ. of Colorado ophtho program? Thanks!

I had such a negative interview experience at University of Colorado that I actually ended up not ranking it last year. There were 2 panel of 3 interviews, one included program director. Both panels seemed to focus soley on academic performance and did not seem to care about other areas of my application. The PD himself made a point of letting me know that I'd probably not do well in his program because I didn't honor Surgery or Medicine clerkship in 3rd year.

Also, they seem to overinvite applicants for their 4 sopts. I think last year they invited around a 100.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Andrew_Doan]

I had such a negative interview experience at University of Colorado that I actually ended up not ranking it last year... The PD himself made a point of letting me know that I'd probably not do well in his program because I didn't honor Surgery or Medicine clerkship in 3rd year.

Interesting that Wilmer accepted you!

Clearly, this program missed the bigger picture.

 

[JR]

Interesting that Wilmer accepted you!

Clearly, this program missed the bigger picture.

Yes, go figure...

 

[dammit2]

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on the Albert Einstein (in NYC/Bronx) program.

 

[JMK2005]

Texas Tech vs Howard ???

 

[ZR1]

hey thanks geddy lee, i think im gonna go with u on this one and choose UT Memphis