St. Mary's, Waterbury, CT

[ForceMD]

Well singer, time and money have always been compared in their value... all I can say is just like money, if you don't have any time, make some...

[AxlFoley]

Any info from students that recently did their surgery core here?

[Chianti]

I did my surgery core here 2 years ago. The program chairmen was bringing in a lot of new faculty who were research/teaching oriented. Rest assured, this is still the best Ross spot to do surgery.

[thethom]

I just got scheduled for surgery here, will be starting next year tho after my peds and OB. Looking forward to the "Kings County of surgery" How's the scut? Interesting cases or just usual lap choles and appys? How much exposure to Plastics? Thankssssssssss!

[AxlFoley]

Ya I hear its one of Ross' best sites for surgery....but also pretty painful (for a surgery core that is)

Do you remember what the hours were usually like?

[Chianti]

Of course I remember the hours. How could I forget?

I would get there at 4:45 AM to pre-round and write my notes. Rounds began at 6 AM. Breakfast afterwards and then off to the OR. We did plenty of lap choles and hernia repair, but also interesting stuff like Whipples and gastric bypasses. Usually scrubbed in on 2-3 cases per day or one lone, 5-6 hour surgery. Then we had afternoon rounds. On an average day we would go home about 6 PM. Call was q4 and the calls were tough. A "good" night on call meant 3 hours of sleep, no joke. You were off post-call after rounds, but you still had to attend clinic the next day on clinic days or scheduled lectures.

This rotation is BRUTAL, but in a good way. I hated it while on it because of the hours but looking back it was a great rotation. You learn an INCREDIBLE amount and get to do a lot. The PD invented TPN and is dedicated to teaching. You come out of it feeling like you can do anything. The hospital itself and the staff are first-rate. No more rude nurses, bad hospital food, people who can't speak English etc...

Overall, it is a great rotation. You guys should count your blessings that you get to rotate there.

[AxlFoley]

thanks for the info, appreciate it. One more q for you though...

Did you live in town or commute from new haven?

[Chianti]

Definitely live in Waterbury. New Haven is a good 30-minute drive that you don't want to make at 4:30 AM. Live in Waterbury, party in New Haven on the weekends.

[AxlFoley]

weeeek-ends....?

[thethom]

Party during a surgery rotation, thats funny...:-P