1. What makes your program different from
other programs, or what made you choose your program?
It is a high-volume ED with a large volume of trauma, all in a
very nice facility! Also, the patient population is very
diverse, as is the pathology.
2. If not
answered above, what's the best aspect of your program?
The high caliber, enthusiastic individuals currently on faculty
and the brand-new state-of-the-art facility. Also, this
hospital runs smoothly and efficiently.
3. Are there any
major upcoming changes to your program?
We are changing to a PGY 1-4
format for the 2007-08 Academic year. We also changed to 12
hour shifts on the weekends (8 hours on the week days), thus
allowing everyone at least 2 weekends off a month.
4. Is there
anything you would change about your program if you could?
I would like to see (and we
are getting) more residents to handle the growing volumes.
Also, more outside rotations to private ED’s (we are scheduled
to rotate at a high-volume private ED beginning January).
5. How much are
you responsible for blood draws, putting in IVs, etc.?
Not at all. Only if you want
the practice.
6. Do you learn
mostly from attendings, other residents, or textbooks? Does this
vary when you do off-service rotations?
In the ER and off-service,
attendings handle the majority of the education.
7. How does
EMed rank in your hospital's hierarchy?
We are still a young program
but rapidly ascending the hierarchy since we control “The Front
Door”. The Emergency Medicine residency here growing in size,
force, and influence. We now all are given charcoal grey
monogrammed scrubs that are just for our specialty, which is
great for recognition of EM residents around the hospital.
8. What are
the perks that your school provides (PDAs, textbooks, conference
fees, meal tickets, etc.)?
Rosen AND Tintinalli, $150
annual book stipend, a free palm pilot, one conference stipend,
reduced cafeteria meals, free parking next to the ER,
monogrammed scrubs, and a 512MB USB thumbdrive packed with
articles, diagrams, policy, etc.
9. How do you
rate your rotations outside of the emergency department?
It’s a top ten med-school for
good reason- the off-service attendings are leaders in their
fields.
10. What's
the best elective you've done?
Toxicology at UAB (Dr Erica
Liebelt is currently on the Board of The American College of
Medical Toxicology)
11. How much
does your program focus on research?
A research project of choice
is required to graduate.
12. What do you
love and hate most about the city you're in?
Great food and a great music scene!
The downtown shootings are worrisome, but provide good training
in the Trauma Bay.
13. Please
describe your typical month in terms of work hours and days off.
An average ER month for a
senior level resident involves 17 clinical shifts. 3-4 of
these are weekend 12’s, the remainder are 8hour
days/evenings/nights. The resident has 2 full weekends off.
Conference is every Wednesday.
14. How much time do you spend off-duty with the other
residents?
At least
once a week for the singles, once a month for the married
residents.
15. Do you
have any international experience?
No.
16. What are
your plans after residency?
Having evacuated New Orleans,
I plan to “stay put” here in B’ham for a while. We are very
happy here!
17. How
prepared do you feel?
The patients at UAB are often
the sickest of the sick. Our acuity level is very high. I feel
very well prepared to handle any crisis that rolls in the door.
Not to mention moonlighting at a local community ER has
sharpened my skills caring for the less acute.
18. Is there
anything you'd like to tell us that we haven't asked?
The ED is a very pleasant
place to work. The faculty are very informal and are often
going out with us to socialize.
19. Do you
have any advice for current applicants, or is there anything you
wish you'd known when you were applying?
Come and visit .. . . we have
the county hospital patient population mixed with a tertiary
care patient population, all in the setting of the nicest ED I
have ever seen! We welcome all interested students and I
guarantee your rotation will be fun and high-yield.
