Veterans Hospital, Kansas City

[wolfvgang22]

Glad to here things are going well, G! Keep up the good work!

[Tastebuds]

Can anyone tell me how the IM rotation at the Kansas VA is? I will be starting this rotation pretty soon so I would like a heads up on what to expect.

thanks in advance

[jay.shah.222]

Any info regard IM at VA in KC will be awesome. I'll be starting there in Nov. and don't know what to expect. Is it better or worse off than St. Lukes. I hope I get enough exposure there. Please help relieve some axiety.

J

[wolfvgang22]

Have done one month of a three month rotation so far. You do one month of general surgery, one month of vascular surgery, and one month where you can choose to do urology, ENT, or ortho surgery.

So far I've done a month of general surgery, and it has been great. Less hours at the hospital and in the OR than at many surgery rotations, and more laid back pace, but you get plenty of hands on experience as there is only one student on your team at a time. I find the less hectic pace makes it easier to internalize what I see. Typically 3-4 major procedures per day, barring emergencies. Also there is the opportunity to go with the chief of surgery to do organ procurements at area hospitals, all students have to do is ask and get to perform important roles in such procedures. You can do all the minor procedures you want in the afternoons, so a great rotation for those of us going into primary care specialties. The residents are less hurried here than at other hospitals in town and so can take time to teach students critical care topics in between cases, which I have greatly appreciated. Attendings like having students, treat students like real people, not just retractors. Friendly pimping only, no hazing. Excellent range of procedures done here, however, only a few female pts (it is the VA), and no neurosurgery.

[GFLIP]

hey. they have a neurosurgeon that comes in only like once a week to do surgeries but no set program or anything..

how'd you like dr R... what a riot huh. he deserves his own show.

[wolfvgang22]

Originally Posted by GFLIP

hey. they have a neurosurgeon that comes in only like once a week to do surgeries but no set program or anything..

how'd you like dr R... what a riot huh. he deserves his own show.

Dr. R is fun, he let me open the chest on a donor case! He enjoys teaching and I appreciated it. I loved general surgery at the VA, it was just right for me as a non-surgery guy, I learned a lot.
If someone wants neurosurg in KC St. Luke's is the place, I have heard good things about them.