I dunno, have things changed quite a lot recently? was I on some sort of bait and switch interview?
Any input from those who have trained/interviewed there?[/QUOTE]
saw Wash Univ a while back...i'll leave out the positives about the place b/c I think most know, but i'll focus on negatives, (as I've done in another thread also if you've read it).
To know Wash U fully you must understand it's history. Yes, Wash U has a strong history and tradition of producing many great pathologists, ala Rosai, Ackerman to name just a few... and at one time was considered one of the premier places to be from. Keyword: at one time. Why? B/C nearly all the great & famous people from Wash U have moved on. Sure Dehner is there...and all his grrrrr-ness - if that's even a word....personally I thought Charlie Alper's at Univ of Wash was the ideal kinda BIGNAME fun, pleasant, and generally NICE personality I wish all bignames ala Dehner had. (he kinda looks like Santa clause, and def. has that attitude - i initially was like who's this fat jolly guy talking to me??? WHAT? you're Dr. Alpers, kidney extradinaire?) But residents don't see Dr. Dehner's consult service: goes straight to the fellows. Sure Humphrey is there (peter H: prostate guru for those infamiliar w/him), but again, i found him too busy to really sit down w/residents.
Second, and this mainly applies if you're thinking AP/CP, Wash Univ began it's combined ap/cp program....when? guesses anyone?
get this: just 10 years ago, 1995 ish.
and you know why? NOT b/c they have the compassion and motivation to fully integrate and offer their residents a wholesome, well-rounded education. No; instead to LURE people based on the decreasing path applicants they were getting. This is not rumor, this comes from Wash U grads at other institutions, as well as from the PD himself during my interview. What does this entail then? It clearly implies that they chose to offer their [pseudo] integrated program simply b/c of supply & demand - b/c they needed BODIES frankly, not b/c of their educational philosophy or anything. It sends a wrong message to me honestly, but you can ask yourself as well: What does that say to an AP/CP applicant looking for well-integrated program strong in both areas?
Regarding other minuses I found about the program...
I was frankly embarrased for them when I saw the # and quality of computers available for the residents. I mean this is Washington University, the facilities outside are decent looking, they got a ton of money in grants, and they hospital itself can afford state-of-the art technolgy and equipment...but i guess COMPUTERS for residents is not one of them. The PGY-1 resident room (oh yah, NOT ONLY are you segregated from the CP folks whom you may or may not ever see...you're split apart from the PGY-2 class above you -- i'm all for peer comraderie and all, but that's ridiculous okay). has decent look cubicles, sufficient work space, but 2 OLD hag-looking computers for nearly 10 residents. AND of course you're expected to do presentations etc, and of course Wash U isn't like some places that provide a labtop (UMich applicants, you can all smirk now), and of course you have no desire to check email, get on the internet etc....right?
(sarcasm)
plus, the PGY-2 resident room is nearly as bad, with 3 computers located centrally for all to use. I mean even sub-par programs i looked at had a computer ON THE DESK of every resident.
other points: yes volume is a plus, but you don't need to see a ga-jilion (again, another soon to be found in Webster's word) hernia sacs to know what one looks like. Residents really work hard; unnecessarily hard. You start grossing in at 3pm: START okay...
then you finish, and then preview.
And you do this every day --i.e. no real "surg path schedule" . You basically gross in and sign out every day.
I thought that was a HUGE negative (and not only the hours okay). I think if you're gonna have AP for 2 years, and know the hours are gonna be long, i'd like to have SOME variety; some change in schedule so you're not grossing in every day. Even if that meant doing frozens a bit, signing out bx's vs. bigs, SOMETHING, some variation. I could totally see burning out there, AFTER boring myself w/the repetitive (difficult) schedule.
Oh yah, i'd like to get some sleep too...perhaps have time for a meal, maybe even two!!!
Many FMG's...not sure if that's a negative, just thought i'd like to point it out [FMG's please don't take offense].
other points: the PGY-4 year of the AP/CP curriculum is very poorly organized. I asked several people about it, got several different responses, and finally got the statement from the PD: it's currently in the works...
not really sure what that means, or how to take it (negatively for me at least). See, you do 6 months of CP to finish off PGY-3 and fulfull your 18 monhts of CP,....but not sure yet what elective will count for it and which will apply. Mainly i'm talking about Hemepath: they in the process of possibly switching it over to CP, and so you might be taking it during your PGY-4 as count it as your CP, but again, not finalized.
It's stuff like this that frustates me about the program...i mean curriculum is really important, and i frankly don't like the indecision (again, a word?) that the program seems to be going through...
which brings me to another point, important for every program you're considering: STABILITY of the PD/chair.
As pointed out by others, Wash U recently (as in 2 months !! okay) has appointed a new PD...regarding a chair, doesn't seem like (and was told this too) that it'll be finalized for a few years b/c search committee is basically looking for Godlike applicant, whose got more publications that Rosai has been referenced.
If your wondering why Dr. Unanue (sp?), the old PD/Chair stepped down, funny and weird reason: i guess Wash U has this requirement that once you turn 70 years old you can't be PD/Chair. So they had to, unconveniently, get a new PD & chair.
these are the main things i found about the program, if i think of more or other major ones, i'll add to this post.
Overall, I do think that their are some good segrated ap/cp programs out their that can offer their applicants a well-balanced, interactive, and overall strong education. And honestly i do think that Wash U is one of them -- in about 10 years or so once they get their act together. As for know, if you're ap/cp (perhaps even if your single track as well), i'd really think about.
IOWA!
