Buffalo and Chicago FIND OUT ABOUT VISA STATUS FOR BOTH THESE PROGRAMS

BUFFALO

CONS -only J1 sponsored, residents seemed boring/bored. No enthusiasm. Buffalo weather. 

PD Woodman: 'I know you want anesth but if you dont get it then you are going to end up in our program as a categorical. I am interviewing you as a potential categorical candidate. Great english. Good communication skills is the key to success. We prepare you for the realities of private practice'

Dr  Chrzanowski: Syncopal man, case discussion. Why anesthesia. 'You are very pleasant, very personable, I'm sure you will do well. Good luck'

Chief Resident: very formal, asked all the 'regular' questions, what do you do in your free time etc. Talked about the program a lot. 

IMPRESSION:

Residents confident. Didactics are regular, non punitive, resident led discussions. Residents are happy, feel confident going into private practice. Two different hospitals, wide spectrum of experience. Teaching about insurance and coding is part of learning. Resident cap is 20. Intern cap is almost the same. No dedicated ICU. Non teaching patients exist, have to be cared for. 

UIC MGH General surgery

PD Dr Maker: 'Can you tie a knot, can you do an H&P? Will you be able to deal with this residency? What does your name mean and other bullshit.'

Dr Z: We talked about travelling on the interview trail/why surgery/why anesthesia/PGY1 support as anesthesia prelim

Dr Sbr: Travelling/teaching residents/reasons to leave India/reasons to stay in Chicago

Dr Sal: Why anesthesia/why surgery/what do I like about anesthesia/where do I see myself in the future/tell me about your family. Compelling personality, it's yours if you want it.

Best interview experience so far. 

>30 candidates, however the interview was so well structured that I felt that they got to know me well.

Pros

They love me

Chicago

the chance to do surgery for a year

Completely hands on

PGY1 get several times the required case experience in ORs~ min 75 cases LOG-able. 

Extremely well structured didactics

4 diff hospitals in the city

Access to UIC labs/lib

Mentors at each hospital

'coach, not critique

FAMILY, v serious one at that. 

once/month mock orals (useful to me?)

$700/month housing

Trauma present

Faculty focussed on teaching, if they dont teach, then fired

1m Anesthesia in PGY1

No scut

PGY1 48,000

Cons

No PGY1 elective

Surgery: lots of work/no free time/tons of experience

J1 visa ONLY. no negotiation

Car needed for Lutheran Hosp

I really like the place, and the temptation to live in Chicago is great

However, SURGERY and J visa....

1 NY Methodist Anes
2 Metrowest TY/Griffin IM
3 UIC MGH Surgery

4 St Agnes IM
5 Uni at Buffalo Sisters of Charity IM 

6 Bronx Lebanon Surgery