Anyone do one this year? What’s it like? PM if you feel like sharing.

gs228135 - 20 September 2009 02:06 PM

Anyone do one this year? What’s it like? PM if you feel like sharing.

bump

Did a sub-i at UVa this past summer. This is how it worked this year:
- Typically 2-3 students rotating, with some 3rd year students from UVa
- Rotate (as do the residents) on specific services, typically spending at least one week on Dr. Jane Sr.’s
- Attend clinic with that service - usually just you and the attending
- Determine call with fellow students - was 2x/week when I was there, based on number of students
- Everything except patient notes is on the computer - means you have limited utility in terms of writing orders etc.
- Assist/do procedures
- Conferences on Wednesday and Saturday mornings
- 30 min research talk

Most other details of any rotation are (chief) resident dependent. The best thing about this rotation was the opportunity to see this program up close. There is simply a different attitude about resident training in Charlottesville, which likely explains their unusual success at producing academic surgeons. The operative autonomy is exceptional, but I think it runs deeper than that. Every faculty was absolutely committed to resident training above all else. Dr. Shaffrey would spend time going over SANS questions with the residents on random afternoons. One junior faculty even jokingly grumbled that he was tired of never getting to operate himself. I think it is worth taking a look, especially if you are committed to a career in academics.

I didn’t rotate/round on a specific service, just on the ICU patients with the chiefs/interns. Just make sure you (1) attend Professor Jane’s weekly rounds and clinic (no matter how many students are there, you’ll be busy/entertained), (2) stay awake at the conferences, (3) give a talk, but schedule it in advance because you may get bumped by a visiting professor, and (4) have fun at the dinner party’s at the Jane Complex. Also, Jane Jr’s (peds/endo) and M. Shaffrey’s clinics are recommended by residents. Overall, try to remain relaxed, humble, hard-working, and one of the boys.

hey. UVa calendar is different from my school calender. If I wanted to rotate there, do you know if they are flexible about the dates or who the neurosurgery contact is? thanks

couldbe - 05 March 2010 12:15 PM

hey. UVa calendar is different from my school calender. If I wanted to rotate there, do you know if they are flexible about the dates or who the neurosurgery contact is? thanks

The contact for UVA is Jill Clarke; she is the coordinator for all student electives, not specific to neurosurgery. I e-mailed her about the same issue earlier this week and am still awaiting an answer. (I didn’t include the e-mail for spam prophylaxis reasons, but it’s on the VSAS website).  There may be a better person to ask (closer to the dept), but I don’t know who that would be.

okay, thks. i emailed too, i’ll let you know if i hear something.

anything one have any more information?

I will start the NIH track next year and will be posting info in the next few weeks when the website is up.  Briefly, you would spend half your time (3.5 yrs) at the NIH.  If you are interested in this track a UVa away rotation would be a good idea. There will likely be opportunity to travel to the NIH for surgeries.

More later,
Gautam

ultimahwhat - 05 March 2010 02:01 PM

There may be a better person to ask (closer to the dept), but I don’t know who that would be.

Karen Saulle is the person to speak with (She is Dr. Jane’s assistant and is the primary dept contact for Sub-Is).  You will still need to be in contact with Jill Clarke, because without her involvement, you won’t get UVA SOM approval for your rotation.

If things are the same as 2 years ago, UVa was not flexible about dates.  She was very courteous but made it clear that if I wanted to rotate that I should plan on rotating according to their calendar.  This may be different for you, but take that for what its worth.

so has anyone been able to do a sub-i with dates that didnt follow uva blocks?

My schedule would only allow for a two week rotation.  Would it be enough time to get a letter and have a general understanding of the ins and outs of the program?

hypothermic, check your pm

did anyone hear back? don’t know if i should apply somewhere else at this point.

couldbe - 05 June 2010 02:15 PM

did anyone hear back? don’t know if i should apply somewhere else at this point.

I haven’t heard back yet.