IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 4
(4/13/01 12:08:13 am)
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Philly programs
I need some info on Philadelphia programs. Has anyone interviewed/matched there? How would you rank
them? Specifically, UPenn vs. Jefferson...which is better? How about Temple, MCP-Hahnemann, and
Einstein? Any info would be appreciated.
IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 8
(4/19/01 5:54:09 pm)
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Philly
I guess this forum isn't too big on Philadelphia programs. Thanks for nothing everybody
g2001
Registered User
Posts: 1
(4/26/01 10:15:28 am)
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Re: Philly programs
I'll try to help you out but do me a favor and lose the sarcasm. Most 4th years are done and on vacation
by now.
Anyway, I loved UPenn. Almost ranked them No. 1. I was a little woried over their operative case load, it
seemed they didn't operate as much as other programs. The faculty and residents were great, the chair
is new and he's a good guy, he even had beers with us at the social. UPenn is having a little financial
difficulty right now but are moving in the right direction.
Jefferson is a solid clinical program. Strong in joints and spine. The residents get killed in PGY-2, I know
since I rotated there. Spend PGY-3&4 at community hospitals and DuPont for peds. Chiefs operate
great. Some feel program is malignant but I was treated well by everyone there. New trauma rotation at
Lehigh Valley, residents really like it so far. I would rotate here if interested, very inbred and they do
things a little differently. Start time on my roation was ~4:30am.
I can't say which is a better program. I think they are just different. I know if you come out of Jefferson
you will operate as well as anyone. In the end I ranked UPenn higher.
Temple is a solid clinical program, they also have a new chair. Didn't rank them though.
MCP-HU is rebuilding. New chair and new faculty added. They had some big-time $ problems so their
program suffered. The residents and faculty were great, the new faculty were young and energetic.
Didn't rank them either though. I think they'll be much better in a few years.
Just keep in mind Philly is an odd place for ortho. The attendings move around a lot between the
hospitals and aside from Jefferson, there are money problems. Affordable city though. This is my opinion
but you have to do your own research on the programs and figure out what's best for you.Hope this
helps.
Techno
Registered User
Posts: 14
(4/26/01 11:55:44 am)
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Philly
Agreed with above. The only thing I can add to UPenn is that it has a malignant intern year. Gen surg at
UPenn is reputed to be very tough; granted, internship is hard anywhere you go, but it's particularly
difficult at Penn.
That having been said, I loved the program and ranked them in my top three. Chairman is a great guy,
residents are super-friendly and a tight bunch, and schedule is fairly chill. Doesn't necessarily have some
of the big-name faculty, but all the departments are solid. I didn't do a rotation here, but I hear it helps
if you're interested in this program. Philly is a less-than-desirable city, but one could do worse.
IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 12
(4/26/01 1:54:57 pm)
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Philly
Thanks a lot for the replies...helpful.
Just curious: Why didn't you rank Temple and MCP-Hahnemann?
Also, where would you rank UPenn and Jefferson among the "top" programs in the country?
OrthoStud
Registered User
Posts: 2
(4/26/01 5:22:25 pm)
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Re: Philly
UPenn is a top ten program... I don't think that's the case with Jefferson.
I've heard Temple is a excellent program...they operate a lot there.
g2001
Registered User
Posts: 2
(4/27/01 10:01:21 am)
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Philly
I didn't rank Temple or MCP-HU because if I was going to wind up in Philly , I would only want to be at
Jeff or Penn. Temple is fine but I didn't see myself going there. MCP-HU is rebuilding and I wasn't going
to take a chance on them. I guess I had more options in the end, I had 18 interviews and was only
ranking 15.
As far as being "top" programs, I think both are solid. I don't know about UPenn being a top 10 program
because I think it's really subjective, but like I said I ranked them very high and thought about putting
them No. 1. I just know that the chiefs at Jeff can do joints in their sleep and you will get solid training at
both places. I would look into rotating if interested. It's all about where you feel you fit in.
orthohopeful
Registered User
Posts: 6
(5/8/01 4:14:10 pm)
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question about UPENN
For those of you that rotated at UPENN (that means you g2001), can you recommend a specific
attending or course to sign up for? Penn offers like seven different rotations for visiting students in
orthopedics. Their descriptions vary from very specific subspecialty areas to general/trauma. I plan to
rotate there but was wondering if anyone can recommend a particularly fun attending or service they
liked.
Thanks for any input.
g2001
Registered User
Posts: 5
(5/9/01 11:25:39 am)
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Penn
I did not rotate at Penn, only at Jefferson so I can't help you out much. The only thing I can tell you is
that Dr. Garino is a great guy and the program director.Dr. Lachman is the chairman and he is really nice.
I think if you do a good job and go out of your way to meet the right people(see above), you'll be fine.
Rotate on the service you like most.
rm01
Registered User
Posts: 2
(5/10/01 10:56:45 pm)
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Rotations at Penn
If you are rotating at Penn there are several things to note:
CHOP is the highest yield if you want letters from multiple well known attendings, it is a great rotation,
and if they like you they will support you at PENN and they have a decent amount of say in the selection
process.
Dr. Garino was an interviewer last year (read on selectiojn committee) and is a good joint month, but
pretty intense.
Dr. Lackman is Chairman but did not have students rotating with him until late last summer so it is
tough to say what a month with him is really like, but he is chairman.
Dr. Heppenstall has been in the department for a long time, is a fun month, and he knows tons of people
nationally. His influence on PENN's selection may not be what it used to.
Dr. Lonner is another good joint month and he can help you at PENN and HJD.
As always, work your tail off. The residents are great in general and have a tremendous amount of say in
the selection process. If they like you it will help, and if they don't, you are screwed. Try to meet as many
of the residents as possible while you are at PENN because you never know who will be interviewing you
next January. And finally, Barb Weinraub is the program coordinator. She is great and works hard, get
to know her and don't make an ass of yourself because she can tell the right people what you are really
like.
Good Luck
OrthoStud
Registered User
Posts: 20
(6/2/01 2:12:13 pm)
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Philly
Anyone have any info on MCP-Hahnemann? I've heard their rebuilding process sounds very
promising...and that it's going to be an awesome program. Any thoughts??
P.S. Go Sixers !!
