cssbones
OSRR Intern
Posts: 6
(3/14/02 8:31:45 am)
65.234.195.252
Reply | Edit | Del All Cleveland Clinic externship
Anyone have any info on aways at CC? I was wondering if there are any specific services to be on that are good or any particular attendings to request.
thanks!
tbone
OSRR Senior
Posts: 64
(3/14/02 10:44:36 am)
141.158.8.11
Reply | Edit | Del CCF away rotation
I did an away at CCF this past fall. The way they do it is they have you rotate on 4 different services, 1 per week, with 4 of the faculty who are on the selection committee. That way, you get to know 2/3 of the people who are making the decision about you, as there are 6 people who make the rank list every year. Dr. Kuivila (Peds) is the program director and Dr. Iannotti (shoulders) is the chairman, so usually students spend a week with each of them. They are always on the committee, but the other members change every year (and one of them is a 4th year resident) so I'm not sure who else you might rotate with. You'll also spend time with Dr. Brems (shoulders) while on the chairman's service. Other attendings I worked with were Dr. Hunt (hand) and Dr. Sferra (foot/ankle), and I also spent a day in the office with Dr. Andrish (sports/peds).
One thing I can tell you is that all of the attendings were excellent, so it doesn't matter who you rotate with. They generally operate 2-3 days per week and spend the other days in clinic. Despite all of the bashing that CCF has received this year on this group, about how residents don't operate enough, etc., those are just rumors that in my experience are not true. Residents operate as primary surgeon on most cases and are very competent surgeons by the end of their residency. In my opinion this is one of the top programs in the country, and I ranked it No. 1.
Be aware that it's a 6-year program now- I like this aspect, but many people don't.
RubieMink
OSRR Intern
Posts: 13
(3/14/02 5:28:46 pm)
172.151.95.231
Reply | Edit | Del CCF
I was also there last August.
I agree with everything tbone said and I had a great experience there as well.
In my opinion, it is one of the best programs in the country.
Good luck!
Bone Jock
OSRR Senior
Posts: 56
(3/14/02 7:34:54 pm)
129.22.195.159
Reply | Edit | Del My 2 cents
Also rotated at CCF in the fall. Agree with most of what was said. I rotated with Brehms (shoulder), Krebs (knee/hip), Kuivila (peds), and Hunt (Hand/upper extremity). All were really cool. Didn't rotate with Iannotti b/c he was out of town. Nice guy during the interview.
Great program. Beware: THEY DO NOT INTERVIEW ALL OF THEIR ROTATORS.
My opinion: My opinion is based not JUST on a 1 month rotation, but 2 1/2 years of being around the CCF system, doing research and shadowing with my preceptor Dr. Jack Andrish (peds/sports). CCF is not the premier program in Ohio. Many attendings on the interview trail think (as do I) that CCF is second to CWRU. Residents do operate earlier than CWRU residents, but not as much in later years. The trauma experience is VERY weak. I slept on call nights. Everything else has a pretty good representation. Rumors are out there that they are weak in Peds, but the peds experience seems to be really good. Extremely good support system. Place is a machine. They also have these ridiculous basic science lectures every morning at 6:30 taught by some of the basic science guys. Good thing is that they have bagels and coffee. Bad thing is that they have an Essay test at the end of each block. Very high Nerd to Jock ratio. Very academic. Good place if you're considering hard core academic ortho. Overall, a great program, but just didn't get great vibes from the place. YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE HERE. YOU WILL BE WELL TRAINED. All I'm saying is that it's not as sweet as everyone makes it out to be. Also, just started the 6 year program this year. Still some bugs to be worked out. I wasn't willing to go and be a guinea pig for the next couple of years while they get this off the ground. I think it's a great direction for the program though. Ranked it at #7. That's my story and I'm sticking to it
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tbone
OSRR Senior
Posts: 65
(3/14/02 9:47:18 pm)
63.214.200.202
Reply | Edit | Del Interviewing rotators at CCF
While it's true that CCF does not have a policy to interview all rotators, one of the 4th year residents told me that basically you have to be a real screwup to be denied an interview.
LG612
OSRR Intern
Posts: 10
(3/15/02 6:57:37 am)
169.240.82.59
Reply | Edit | Del CCF
As someone who has spent a little time there, I'll throw in my 2cents.
Overall, an excellent program. The residents operate early and often. As a PGY 1 on the joints rotation, you act as primary surgeon. At this point, the attending is very involved basically telling the resident where to cut, etc., but the knife and saw are in your hands.
During you rotation you will roatate with Drs. Ianotti (chairman), Kuvila (Peds/program director), Krebs (Joints), and one other person. There will be a PGY4 on the committe as well.
It is currently a 6 year program which may or may not be a down side for you.They have lectures nearly every morning at 6:30. Most of the lectures are orthopaedic related, not basic science as previously stated. There is a basic science curriculum (because of the residency review committee) and there is a test at the end of that lecture series, but that only constitutes about 4 weeks of lectures/year. Besides, most of that stuff you'll need to know anyway (modulus of elasticity, etc.)
As far as the experience, it is second to none. As stated earlier, CCF is not a level one trauma center, and many nights on call at CCF, the residents do get sleep (nothing wrong with that). However, they spend nine months outside CCF at level one trauma centers where they are up often rodding femurs, fixing open fractures, etc. So, actually, their trauma experience is very good, but they are protected from that crap when they are at CCF (I see this as a bonus). Call is front loaded (6/month as a PGY2, PGY-3 2 calls/month, PGY-4 2 calls per month as backup to the PGY-1, PGY-5 home call).
I think it is a great program where the residents get superb training and the best fellowships. Hope this helps.
