1. What makes your program different from
other programs, or what made you choose your program?
There are many reasons
why I chose UCI, and too numerous to list, but I'll give you the
top reasons for me. Keep in mind that it is an individual
decision (in my opinion) of where someone chooses to rank a
program. More importantly than anything I list now, it truly all
comes down to compatibility between you and the program. Pure
and simple compatibility. You need to know what you want to get
out of a program (so you need to know what your strengths and
weaknesses are pretty well) and find out what the program wants
out of you and what it emphasizes, as well as the personality of
the residents and faculty at the program. If those match up to
each other and to you, then you've found your program!...and
will be very happy there too! (Like me :)
Here's
the list of why UCI is a great hot spot (and this is in no
particular order):
1.
Small program (6 per class) which invites the feeling of
being part of a family. We get to know each other well, work
hard and play harder together, and get along great! The
ancillary staff (nurses, trauma techs, etc) all get to know
us well too since there are few of us around, and we all get
along great too! I always say that its one thing to love
what you do, but its a whole other thing to love the people
you work with while you do what you do. I love coming to
work everyday and seeing my friends.
2.
Faculty-resident relationships are outstanding! We get along
great, and most on a first name basis. There are some big
time movers and shakers at UCI and they are humble about it,
yet make you so proud when you see them at national
conferences doing what they do best for their specific
specialty. They will support you, respect you and do what
they can to see you succeed. Some go to the parties with us
too!
3. 3
year program......this is a completely individual decision
(in my opinion). Some students feel that 4 years are what
they need, and others want to crunch it into 3 years. If you
plan to do a fellowship, 3 years is the way to go so at the
end it is less time overall. Of course, after saying that, I
have to say that there are also great 4 year programs out
there.
4.
Each faculty at UCI has a specific expertise. I love this
about UCI! We have specialists/gurus in Disaster/EMS, Trauma
and Injury Prevention, Pediatric EM, International EM,
Emergency Ultrasound, Airway and Anesthesia, Cardiology,
Sports Medicine, Infectious Disease and tropical medicine.
They are passionate about it and love to teach us!
5.
Approachable Program Director and Chair - they always have
their door open and are willing to listen if residents feel
that change is needed ...and it gets done! and quickly too!
This is incredibly valuable!
6. We
run the airway and are part of the trauma team in charge of
the head and neck exam for each trauma activation.
Anesthesia does not respond to our traumas unless we call
them. We get along great with the trauma service, and work
very well together. We hang out outside of the workplace
too!
7.
The curriculum is awesome! The first year residents spend 5
months in the ED!! They feel like part of the family from
the start! there is no medicine ward month and there are
great...and I mean GREAT ...ICU rotations (MICU, PICU, SICU,
CCU) where we learn a great deal about critical care. We are
welcomed and well respected and trusted with taking care of
these very sick patients. By the end of your first year, you
will feel very comfortable with performing emergency care
and management.
8.
Moonlighting is allowed in the third year! Great learning
experience and makes you know what it feels like to be
independent.
9. We
are a DEPARTMENT! We decide who gets admitted. We have
separate support from other departments. This is incredibly
important!
10.
We will graduate with the skills to become RDMS certified
for Emergency Ultrasound. We have the best exposure to
Emergency Ultrasound than anywhere else in the country!
11.
Meal tickets!!! Our department gives us meal tickets each
month, enough to feed you for that month and then some!
12.
Leadership at UCI! Not only are some of the faculty
big-wigs, but our residents shine too. The department
supports all leadership activities that you would like to
pursue. One of our residents is the President of the AAEM
Resident Section, another is a member of the Steering
Committee for EMRA, another is an EMRA rep, and yet another
is the SOCEP rep.
2.
If not answered above, what's the best aspect of your program?
Hard to answer this....I just have to say, see all of the above.
#1 is pretty close.
3.
Are there any major upcoming changes to your program?
We just started the Disaster Medicine/EMS and Trauma and Injury
Prevention fellowships! This adds to our Emergency Ultrasound
fellowship that is one of the most well known in the country!
4.
Is there anything you would change about your program if you
could?
This always the hardest question to answer. Although I walk to
work since I live so close,
I have heard that although its easy to find parking, it is a 5 -
8 minute walk from the parking to the ED.
5.
How much are you responsible for blood draws, putting in IVs,
etc.?
We order them, and it gets done by the nurses. If they are
unable to successfully get a line, we try an EJ or central line
placement.
6.
Do you learn mostly from attendings, other residents, or
textbooks? Does this vary when you do off-service rotations?
During work hours we learn from attendings, since we present the
cases directly to the attending only and through our library of
books in the ED resident room or online websites. During
conference (Wednesdays 12-5pm) we learn from residents (which gives us a chance to teach) and
attendings as well as invited guest speakers. During off hours,
we read our books. Then we put it all together in the end and
incorporate it all into each other.
7.
How does EMed rank in your hospital's hierarchy?
Not sure what this question is asking specifically, but we are
known and respected as being one of the best departments in the
hospital, in addition to OBGYN, PSYCH, Ortho, ENT, Ophtho,
Plastics, all the Int med fellowship (GI, Renal, Cards, Pulm &
Crit Care).
8.
What are the perks that your school provides (PDAs, textbooks,
conference fees, meal tickets, etc.)?
You get a stipend at the beginning to spend on whatever you want
(book, PDA, etc). We get meal tickets, and we get travel and
hotel paid for when presenting research at any conference. They
also pay for the first years to attend SAEM and the third years
to attend ACEP.
9.
How do you rate your rotations outside of the emergency
department?
The ICU rotations are outstanding!! I spoke about that already
previously. The OBGYN rotation is also amazing since its at
Long Beach Memorial
Medical Center. That is also
where we to ED in the third year for a few months. Its a 72 bed
Level 2 Trauma Center Emerg Dept. Lots of patients, very busy,
lots of learning!!! We do Peds there too!
10.
What's the best elective you've done?
We do electives during our third year mostly, but other
residents have gone international (Cambodia, Lebanon, Mexico, etc) or have gone
to Leadership seminars. The program is open for you to do
whatever you want, so it can be as great as you make it!
11.
How much does your program focus on research?
It is mandatory to do one research project during your residency
and present it at a conference. We have month meetings are
research development and education too. If you love research we
have lots of research going on at UCI!!
12.
What do you love and hate most about the city you're in?
Love the sun, surf, beach, restaurants, nightlife, outdoor
activities (hiking, mountain biking)
Hate the traffic, cost of living!!
13.
Please describe your typical month in terms of work hours and
days off.
We are very compliant with RRC requirements, so our hours never
were and never will be a problem. During the ED months:
non-vacation months we work 20 shifts, and vacation months we
work 15 shifts. 12 hour shifts in the first 2 years and 10 hour
shifts in the last year. The last year is pretty light, great
hours and only 10 hour shifts with only 15 shifts per month,
allowing you to moonlight, or any other extra activities you
want to do.
14.
How much time do you spend off-duty with the other residents?
Weekly! There are always the happy hours, parties, dinners,
BBQs!!!...and beach!
15.
Do you have any international experience?
There is no mandatory elective but if you choose to have
international experience then you can set it up as other
residents have in the past. (Dr. Kazzi who was the AAEM
President is now in Lebanon trying to improve emergency care
there, and he is always looking for residents to go there from
UCI).
16.
What are your plans after residency?
Probably a fellowship and go into academics.
17.
How prepared do you feel?
UCI does a great job in preparing us for what is to come. The
graduated residents continue to email our faculty on how great
they the education was looking back now that they are out in the
real world!
18.
Is there anything you'd like to tell us that we haven't asked?
Come do a rotation here!!! We would love to have you!
19.
Do you have any advice for current applicants, or is there
anything you wish you'd known when you were applying?
The best advice is to choose a program that fits YOU best. Don't
listen to what others say about programs and think it would
apply to you. Go see for yourself, and feel it out, whether that
be as an extern or during the interview day. The most important
thing is to be happy. The rest comes no matter where you are.
