bmore sites

[mdsxm]

Any advice on what rotations/hospitals are good or more importantly not good in Baltimore??

[slevit1]

I can't tell you specifically what rotations are good in Baltimore since I haven't started yet, but I can tell you that none of the hospitals are bad hospitals. In fact, they are likely some of the best hospitals that AUC has, particularly Union. Unfortunately, AUC only has IM at Union. St. Agnes has surgery and IM, and Spring Grove has psych (it's a state mental hospital).

Union is right in the middle of the city, but in a pretty nice area and not far from the Inner Harbor. St. Agnes is right by the city/county line. It's not in quite as nice of an area, but it's also not in a bad area. Fortunately, St. Agnes is only about 5 minutes from some very safe and pretty nice housing in Baltimore County. Spring Grove is actually in the county, about 5 minutes from St. Agnes, and in a very safe area. I think that one of the best things about Baltimore is that you can easily live in the county, but be at any of the hospitals within 15 minutes or less. I'm not sure how much free time you have while in rotations, but you also have very easy access to the really nice areas of Baltimore City to go out and have fun, but then return home to a much quieter area without much of a drive.

[mdsxm]

thanks for letting me know whats an option, i cant get any info from meas. I heard from a doc who worked at union that its a lot of scut work for students, anyone been there yet to confirm?

[slevit1]

I've also heard it's a lot of scut, and that's the reason AUC got rid of surgery. Just a rumor though and like I said, I haven't started yet. All I can tell you is it's a good hospital.

I've found MEAS to be very helpful and friendly, once they're ready to deal with you. Before that time, you're not going to get much of anything. "When they're ready to deal with you" means once you get your step scores, submit the PDF file to them, and they call you back for your appointment time (usually within a couple days).

[yarpie581]

I haven't had any rotations at Union, and I feel like I'm constantly saying this, but I do think that St Agnes is one of the best sites AUC has. It's a great hospital, and the teaching is generally very good. There's plenty of scut work in surgery, but barely any in IM. Despite the fact that it's a community hospital, it is busy, and you'll see a lot. I really enjoyed my experience(s) there! Another bonus is that if you do IM there, you can also do a number of electives there without the big hassle of applying and sending in paperwork.

Spring Grove is full of the craziest of crazies. That's all I have to say about that. But, it makes for a fascinating 6 weeks.

[Scientific]

I did most of my rotations at Union. It's an excellent hospital. You can do IM and a bunch of IM electives there. I actually did all my electives there and was able to schedule them back to back. All except Endo were incredible.....Endo was educational, but the hours were ridiculous(for an elective)...but then again, I can manage diabetic pts pretty well now that I'm in residency so you do learn the info...just the hours suck (~8:30 am-8:30pm). Seriously, the rest of my electives were great. For most you are one-on-one with the attending and most attendings will go the extra mile to teach you what you need to know (and more). The attendings and residents are great and you don't get much scut. My medicine sub-I absolutely prepared me for residency. They treat you as an intern and you manage your patients (of course they will oversee whatever you do though...won't let you kill anyone lol). I was one of the last to do Surgery there, and it was actually good as well. I believe you can still do Surgery electives there, but don't quote me on that one. Anyway, I highly recommend it. Definately one of AUC's top hospitals. It's a beautiful hospital, and they really make the effort to teach you.

[kemper6036]

i have heard good things about medicine at union....also, medicine is going to consist of a lot of scut work at most places, so get ready

[Skipper]

Both hospitals will provide you with good education.....last year as an intern i felt that st agnes medicine and some medicine electives at union and st agnes prepared me really well....

good luck!

[Slaol_121]

Just out of curiosity, how many spots does AUC have for Baltimore?

[Scientific]

I think Union has about 5 for IM and plenty for IM electives.

[slevit1]

Just out of curiosity, how many spots does AUC have for Baltimore?

Psych (Spring Grove) - 4
IM (St. Agnes) - 4
IM (Union) - 4
Surgery (St. Agnes) - 4

Seems like all the rotations run continuously, with only the weekend between start and end dates. Unfortunately, since surgery is only at St. Agnes, only half the people who do IM in baltimore can do surgery there. Spring Grove provides housing for everyone. Union sometimes provides housing, depending on available space.

[Slaol_121]

Psych (Spring Grove) - 4
IM (St. Agnes) - 4
IM (Union) - 4
Surgery (St. Agnes) - 4

Seems like all the rotations run continuously, with only the weekend between start and end dates. Unfortunately, since surgery is only at St. Agnes, only half the people who do IM in baltimore can do surgery there. Spring Grove provides housing for everyone. Union sometimes provides housing, depending on available space.

Thanks for the info :cool: - I only wish basic science students had easy access to such information.

[slevit1]

Thanks for the info :cool: - I only wish basic science students had easy access to such information.

Ha! I only wish clinical students had easy access to such information!! I only know it because that's where I'm doing my rotations!

[ureka]

okay so I'm still looking for housing and someone on craigslist has replied stating they have housing in halethorpe, MD ... is this a good area or not? We are currently out of state until right before the rotation starts, so we need some help!

[slevit1]

okay so I'm still looking for housing and someone on craigslist has replied stating they have housing in halethorpe, MD ... is this a good area or not? We are currently out of state until right before the rotation starts, so we need some help!

Halethorpe is fine...about 5-10 min to St. Agnes. If you know the street, I can give you a better idea.

[SMUclinicals]

hi everyone,

i just set up 3 electives at St. Agnes. I've never been to the hospital before or been to Baltimore. I found housing through Beds4Meds, the apt is located next to Patterson Park on Butcher's Hill.

Can anyone comment on the area and safety or traffic? rent is $900 and i may have up to 4 flatmates, is it a good deal or should i look for somewhere closer?? I am bringing my car with me, is street parking doable in that area?

Also how is endocrine & dermatology there? hours? teaching?

thanks!

[yarpie581]

I heard derm is pretty decent. Endocrine isn't bad either. I'm biased about the hospital (in a good way) so I'm not going to comment -- I don't think I'd be objective enough :)

A friend of mine did the Beds4Meds thing and said the place wasn't bad at all. It's in a decent area, just make sure you know where it starts to get shady -- Baltimore is kind of a checkerboard of bad/good areas, all within only a few blocks. Parking is easy, plenty of spots on the street.

Good luck!