1. What makes your program different from
other programs, or what made you choose your program?
The
program is different in that we have a nice mix of blunt and
penetrating trauma. We are the regional Trauma
Center. We also have the advantage of exposure to stab wounds and GSW's. We
see a lot of blunt trauma. In addition, we have a separate
Pediatric ER and we spend a lot of time in the PEDS ER...I
believe 6 months.
2. If not
answered above, what's the best aspect of your program?
It is a friendly place with a
very reasonable cost of living and you get to see everything you
need in order to be well trained.
3. Is there
anything you would change about your program if you could?
I don't know what changes I
would make. Our current, new and improved schedule has a third
year resident in the ER at all times and they "run the show".
Changes...I would add more
critical care time.
4. How much are
you responsible for blood draws, putting in IVs, etc.?
We don't routinely do IV's,
but you can if you want to.
5. Do you learn
mostly from attendings, other residents, or textbooks?
Learning is from attendings,
residents and dedicated lecture days (every Wednesday) and all
of this is arranged by our most excellent residency director
(who did his ER at Hopkins!).
6. Does this
vary when you do off-service rotations?
Off service rotations are what you make of them. It is
your responsibility to make them work for you.
7. What's the
best elective you've done?
I did EMS and spent a lot of
time riding with the supervisor from Rural Metro, and did some
time with the helicopter service.
8. How much
does your program focus on research?
Everyone has to do a project
and you can do as much or as little as you see fit. Our
Chairman is the past president of ACEP and ABEM and he will
support any research that you do.
9. What do
you love and hate most about the city you're in?
It is a reasonable place to
live. It is cold and snowy in the winter, but the summer and
fall months are wonderful. The restaurants are ok. If you have
a family, then this is a great place.
10. How much time do you spend off-duty with the other
residents?
We spend
a lot of time together with time off. We encourage cookouts,
going out and we have a softball team. It is a nice place...not
malignant at all.
11. Do you have any
international experience?
International experiences are
abundant. In my class, I think 7 out of the 10 went overseas to
do work. We send up to 4 residents a year to St. Lucia for 2
weeks to work in an ER. One of my classmates presented a paper
in India. I took my chief resident trip (paid in full by the
department) to do relief work in Honduras with an attending.
One of our tenured faculty is very focused on International
Emergency Medicine. He also runs the trip(s) to St. Lucia..
12. What are your plans after residency?
I am staying on as faculty!
