Dear Medical Students,
Dr. Peter G. Passias is inviting highly motivated medical students to apply for a Research Fellowship with the New York University Division of Spine Surgery/New York Spine Institute. This fellowship is intended for 3rd or 4th-year medical students who are interested in gaining additional exposure to the field and enhancing their residency application. The research fellowship is a paid, one-year or two-year position. During this time, you will work closely with Dr. Passias on a multitude of ongoing prospective and retrospective studies. Most research focuses on adult spinal deformity (ASD) and adult cervical deformity (ACD), though the lab also conducts studies on other spinal pathologies. Current projects include single-institution studies, national database research, and joint projects with the prestigious International Spine Study Group (ISSG).
Responsibilities include all aspects of clinical research:
·        Patient enrollment and collection of clinical data
·        Developing research hypotheses
·        Performing statistical analyses
·        Writing and submitting publications
You will have the opportunity to participate in weekly grand rounds, monthly meetings with the current spine fellows, and a lecture series on sagittal spinal alignment hosted by the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Previous fellows have been successful in presenting their research at several neurosurgery, orthopedic and spine-specific national and international conferences as well as authoring multiple manuscripts.
Applicants will be selected based on their academic record, previous research experience, interpersonal and organizational skills, and a video or in-person interview (depending on location). Research fellows should preferably commit to a start date in May 2023 (flexibility considered).
Interested candidates should fill out the following form by March 31st, 2023: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQ...&w=1&flr=0

For any questions please email researchfellows@nyspine.com.

like the subject says lol

Anyone hear back about late breaking abstracts? Were supposed to be out last Friday

I'm an Asian American who has basically spent his entire life in California (high school, undergrad, med school). As I enter my last year of medical school, I'll likely be applying to residency programs in the Midwest. However, I am concerned about what it would be like for an Asian American to live/practice medicine in a predominately white area. If there are any Asian Americans on this forum who have done their residency/medical school in the Midwest, I was curious if you be open to sharing your experiences being a resident in these areas? I understand that racism exists everywhere. I've even encountered racism in my pretty liberal city (primarily at the VA). However, I'm concerned it would be amplified if I entered more conservative parts of the US.

As a resident logging cases near the end of my training at a large academic program, does anyone else feel like there is an overemphasis of spine in our residency training? Almost half of the cases are spine, and the minimum requirements favor spine over open vascular, tumor, functional, peripheral nerve, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and trauma combined. Why is this? Most medical students entering neurosurgery  are not seeking to become spine surgeons (admittedly many do switch). What value is there to having senior residents do round after round of ALIF, XLIF, T10-Pelvis, and corpectomies they will never do again? This seems like a total misallocation of our training hours in the OR for those not pursuing spine.

MGH just started a spine fellowship. In general is a fellowship at MGH a good idea? Heard from many different people that their volume is low so curious about what to expect in terms of operative experience as a fellow. Does MGH have low volume in every sub specialty?

To paint a broad picture of myself, I go to a top med school with a top home neurosurgery program. I have 20+ publications and great board scores. 

My sub-Is will likely be scheduled for September and October of this year (unfortunately can't do it any earlier because of how my school's 4th year is set up which sucks). I understand that I'll need 3 LORs by September 28 which is when PDs can begin reviewing applications. My current plan regarding the 3rd letter is to ask for a letter during the early 3rd week of my first away neurosurgery sub-I and hope that it's on time. However, if I can't get this 3rd letter by the 28 deadline, I'll likely have to submit a 3rd home letter. Therefore, I was wondering if it's okay if 3 LORs come from my home program and then a 4th letter submitted in early October from my first away program. I'm not sure how I'll get a letter from my 4th sub-I, but the earliest I can probably get that letter is late October. Does anyone have any advice on what to do? I feel confidently about my overall application with the exception of this situation. Thank you.

Short story is that I take Step 1 on March 3 (my school takes Step 1 after 3rd year). Some programs mention that they require step 1 scores on their sub-I applications and additionally have a deadline of March 31. Does anyone know how stringent these programs are about the Step 1 requirement?

Anyone that can give insight into the Oklahoma program? Considering applying to sub-I there. Have heard that it is really great but some thread commented that it is likely in the bottom 10 residency programs. I don't necessarily care about prestige, I just want to get quality training -- be taking part in key portions of surgeries, minimize unnecessary scut, etc.

I was planning to work in the lab this summer of a well-respected surgeon. However, it fell through just today because of some unforeseen event. What to do???? I feel so depressed.