jrmodmd
09-20-2009, 01:44 PM
Well - I'm sure this question has been posed many times. So sorry if this comes off redundant...then stay tuned for a little life history about me - I'd love to hear what you have to say about my particular story.
I'd like to know thoughts, opinions, and/or experience's on what REALLY matters when it comes time to land your #1 residency match.
Does the school really matter? In the U.S., is a Caribbean school “just” a Caribbean school? If one does well academically, especially does well on Step 1, therefore landing good clinicals, etc…is that more important than the school itself?
Should a person put themselves in the best possible academic environment to excel and succeed academically/Steps - in an environment which may be better suited for them - and consider passing over the "Big 3 or 4"? This is with the understanding that perhaps certain larger schools provide a more difficult academic environment for certain individuals.
Of course, I do understand that larger established schools like Ross have many more affiliations, opportunities, and options to match - but do they really?
For example, Ross is now with HUGE class sizes which arguably - based on what I am reading in several forums - has created some concern and sacrifice for students with respect to learning, academic success, and the critical Step I.
I have recently been accepted to UMHS and AUA, and I'm anticipating an acceptance to Ross very soon - and SGU is a real possibilty.
SO...now I'm going to throw this at ya...
A little history about myself, I am not the “normal” entering student – I'm a "therapeutic" optometrist (O.D.), 45 years old and in private practice for almost 20 years, with a very large successful multilocation practice and surgery center (3M+/year). My father started the practice in 1966. My role is pure medical eye care - I am therapeutically licensed with respect to all topical ocular medications, oral meds as it relates to the eye, and Sched III/IV DEA licensed. I do not perform routine exams but see about 200+ patients/week - I have a very large glaucoma practice along with every ocular condition you can imagine - as well as surgical comanagement. We have 3 ophthals who rotate through our surgery center to provide surgical services (Retina, LASIK, and Cats). Very unique in that our practice model is the OD (me) subcontracting Ophthals to provide purely surgical services. We provide the facilities, staff, billing, instrumentation, surgical center, etc. We've developed this ideal model over a period of 45+ years.
So why am I here??? I love what I do - but - I would LOVE to do the surgery. And I feel I have "mastered" what I wanted to master as an OD. In pursuing medicine and surgery, the learning process itself, the science, the technology, and knowing that if given the opportunity, I will excel is absolutley thrilling to me. And it can be a "fun" adventure. And I would love to do more teaching as time goes on.
Obviously, this is not about money, if it was about money I would not even consider going forward. I've had the Porsche's & Mercedes, we have a beautiful home, etc. When you have all the material stuff, you'll learn it really does not matter, nobody cares! And to you new college grads...don't forget that! Working with people is what really matters...the money will come if helping people is your passion and you become the best you can be...and if you learn to have a little fun with what you do.
With our model in place, I am willing to "temporarily" leave our practice to do this - and yes, my wife is a little scared but supports me. My father (an OD) is in shock and my mother feels I am abandoning the practice and is barely speaking to me. They are not happy. Certain friends think I have lost my mind and am being foolish. However, it's been interesting to find that anyone involved in healthcare, actually understands me and thinks my decision is just great! (But of course, very bold!)
With very proper and strategic planning, I believe our practice can continue to be sustained and grown - tricky but doable.
Finally, I never knew this opportunity existed - I applied back in 1995 but hit a brick wall when applying to a couple U.S. schools. Was told it was actually a "detriment" to have an advanced degree, established career, etc. Why should they give up a slot to someone like me - when there are thousands of new college grads landing in the 99th percentile on the MCAT's and GPA. So I put the idea away until I recently learned about the international opportunities and the evolution of schools like Ross, SGU, UMHS, AUA, etc...
Of course, regarding ophthalmology residency, I have associations within ophthalmology and I have a unique background, perhaps better than anyone to land an ophthal match - provided I do well in medical school - and I am ready. I am grateful for this opportunity and will do what it takes to get there.
I understand I can also pursue a match independently outside the normal match? And knowing that there is first a transitional internship, again, what really matters?
Let me hear from you! THANK YOU!
I'd like to know thoughts, opinions, and/or experience's on what REALLY matters when it comes time to land your #1 residency match.
Does the school really matter? In the U.S., is a Caribbean school “just” a Caribbean school? If one does well academically, especially does well on Step 1, therefore landing good clinicals, etc…is that more important than the school itself?
Should a person put themselves in the best possible academic environment to excel and succeed academically/Steps - in an environment which may be better suited for them - and consider passing over the "Big 3 or 4"? This is with the understanding that perhaps certain larger schools provide a more difficult academic environment for certain individuals.
Of course, I do understand that larger established schools like Ross have many more affiliations, opportunities, and options to match - but do they really?
For example, Ross is now with HUGE class sizes which arguably - based on what I am reading in several forums - has created some concern and sacrifice for students with respect to learning, academic success, and the critical Step I.
I have recently been accepted to UMHS and AUA, and I'm anticipating an acceptance to Ross very soon - and SGU is a real possibilty.
SO...now I'm going to throw this at ya...
A little history about myself, I am not the “normal” entering student – I'm a "therapeutic" optometrist (O.D.), 45 years old and in private practice for almost 20 years, with a very large successful multilocation practice and surgery center (3M+/year). My father started the practice in 1966. My role is pure medical eye care - I am therapeutically licensed with respect to all topical ocular medications, oral meds as it relates to the eye, and Sched III/IV DEA licensed. I do not perform routine exams but see about 200+ patients/week - I have a very large glaucoma practice along with every ocular condition you can imagine - as well as surgical comanagement. We have 3 ophthals who rotate through our surgery center to provide surgical services (Retina, LASIK, and Cats). Very unique in that our practice model is the OD (me) subcontracting Ophthals to provide purely surgical services. We provide the facilities, staff, billing, instrumentation, surgical center, etc. We've developed this ideal model over a period of 45+ years.
So why am I here??? I love what I do - but - I would LOVE to do the surgery. And I feel I have "mastered" what I wanted to master as an OD. In pursuing medicine and surgery, the learning process itself, the science, the technology, and knowing that if given the opportunity, I will excel is absolutley thrilling to me. And it can be a "fun" adventure. And I would love to do more teaching as time goes on.
Obviously, this is not about money, if it was about money I would not even consider going forward. I've had the Porsche's & Mercedes, we have a beautiful home, etc. When you have all the material stuff, you'll learn it really does not matter, nobody cares! And to you new college grads...don't forget that! Working with people is what really matters...the money will come if helping people is your passion and you become the best you can be...and if you learn to have a little fun with what you do.
With our model in place, I am willing to "temporarily" leave our practice to do this - and yes, my wife is a little scared but supports me. My father (an OD) is in shock and my mother feels I am abandoning the practice and is barely speaking to me. They are not happy. Certain friends think I have lost my mind and am being foolish. However, it's been interesting to find that anyone involved in healthcare, actually understands me and thinks my decision is just great! (But of course, very bold!)
With very proper and strategic planning, I believe our practice can continue to be sustained and grown - tricky but doable.
Finally, I never knew this opportunity existed - I applied back in 1995 but hit a brick wall when applying to a couple U.S. schools. Was told it was actually a "detriment" to have an advanced degree, established career, etc. Why should they give up a slot to someone like me - when there are thousands of new college grads landing in the 99th percentile on the MCAT's and GPA. So I put the idea away until I recently learned about the international opportunities and the evolution of schools like Ross, SGU, UMHS, AUA, etc...
Of course, regarding ophthalmology residency, I have associations within ophthalmology and I have a unique background, perhaps better than anyone to land an ophthal match - provided I do well in medical school - and I am ready. I am grateful for this opportunity and will do what it takes to get there.
I understand I can also pursue a match independently outside the normal match? And knowing that there is first a transitional internship, again, what really matters?
Let me hear from you! THANK YOU!