Thoughts on UVA?

[Guest]

Hey all, 

Would love to hear input on UVA, in terms of sub-i or residency. Is the program still a stalwart program or is it slowly declining? Any ideas on strengths and weaknesses of subspecialties? 

Thanks, 
Guest

[Guest]

It's still a great program, but the days of the "program of chairmen" are behind it. There are still some well-known people in different sub-specialties and you would get great training. Justin Smith for spine and Elias for functional come to mind.

There was a strong reputation for malignancy. Someone with firsthand knowledge can speak to that. A few of the staff that were known to contribute to that atmosphere have since moved on.

[Guest]

What the heck does malignancy mean? I resigned from a malignant program and was called unprofessional and can’t communicate because I yelled back 2-3x at people who mistreated me. Malignant as hell and hurt my feelings significantly is why I yelled back. Not a good environment. But as a junior I was looked as the problem.

In reality my co-resident and other residents would commit the same or worse things, but since they go out and party with the chiefs or are or friends then they do not get the same treatment. I witnessed the same thing as a medical student, saw a resident being picked on, and would get unfair criticism. He was fired for BS things, just an excuse to get them out.

Going forward, interviewing for open spots you can’t just say you were at a malignant program. They don’t favor the prior resident word. I have positive references, but how the heck do you spin it to a new program with tact.

[Guest]

I have seen many men being destroyed by the Me-Too movement. Angry, young, hormonal females levy false accusations against any men they deem unattractive/creepy, and destroy his reputation. Those in the lower levels--nurses, midlevels, techs, office bees--are the worse offenders, although I rarely feel safe around female physicians either. Best advice I give to men is to keep to your own, keep your head down, and keep voting the "RIGHT" way.

[Guest]

(07-13-2023, 04:08 PM)Guest Wrote: What the heck does malignancy mean? I resigned from a malignant program and was called unprofessional and can’t communicate because I yelled back 2-3x at people who mistreated me. Malignant as hell and hurt my feelings significantly is why I yelled back. Not a good environment. But as a junior I was looked as the problem.

In reality my co-resident and other residents would commit the same or worse things, but since they go out and party with the chiefs or are or friends then they do not get the same treatment. I witnessed the same thing as a medical student, saw a resident being picked on, and would get unfair criticism. He was fired for BS things, just an excuse to get them out.

Going forward, interviewing for open spots you can’t just say you were at a malignant program. They don’t favor the prior resident word. I have positive references, but how the heck do you spin it to a new program with tact.

Based on this concept, can everybody name the top ten most malignant programs? I’m getting nervous about picking the wrong program for this upcoming match cycle.

[Guest]

Even a non-malignant program, if you get on the wrong side of some people you are done.

[Guest]

Culture: UVA in general as an institution has a more laid-back and casual culture (perhaps part and parcel of being in the south). Historically UVA neurosurgery was known to be very intense, but that is no longer the case. The culture can vary a bit of course year-to-year depending on who are the chiefs (as with all neurosurgery programs), but overall the residents are a cohesive group. Attendings in general are very friendly and have some of the funniest banters among each other.

Operative training: Apparently the volume is not as high as it used to be in the past with increasing competition around Virginia and the retirement/moving of a couple prominent senior faculty (John Jane Jr. moving to Carillion to chair there for example). However, the education-per-case is still relatively very good, and the attendings make an effort to teach in the OR. The cases are expected to pick up, however, with the hiring of several new faculty in the areas of peds, skull base, spine, and vascular. The New Zealand year provides excellent operative training (especially in cranial cases and open vascular experience).

Research: There is an abundance of clinical research opportunities within the neurosurgery department. There are also excellent translational and basic science offerings within the university itself. Of note, the laboratories in the medical school are right next to the hospital.

Conclusion: Well-balanced program with very friendly people in which the person with a high level of initiative and self-drive can become extremely successful.

[Guest]

(07-14-2023, 02:00 PM)Guest Wrote: Culture: UVA in general as an institution has a more laid-back and casual culture (perhaps part and parcel of being in the south). Historically UVA neurosurgery was known to be very intense, but that is no longer the case. The culture can vary a bit of course year-to-year depending on who are the chiefs (as with all neurosurgery programs), but overall the residents are a cohesive group. Attendings in general are very friendly and have some of the funniest banters among each other.

Operative training: Apparently the volume is not as high as it used to be in the past with increasing competition around Virginia and the retirement/moving of a couple prominent senior faculty (John Jane Jr. moving to Carillion to chair there for example). However, the education-per-case is still relatively very good, and the attendings make an effort to teach in the OR. The cases are expected to pick up, however, with the hiring of several new faculty in the areas of peds, skull base, spine, and vascular. The New Zealand year provides excellent operative training (especially in cranial cases and open vascular experience).

Research: There is an abundance of clinical research opportunities within the neurosurgery department. There are also excellent translational and basic science offerings within the university itself. Of note, the laboratories in the medical school are right next to the hospital.

Conclusion: Well-balanced program with very friendly people in which the person with a high level of initiative and self-drive can become extremely successful.

Ok UVA resident

[Guest]

The program is in decline with loss of operative volume and senior faculty.  Beyond Dr. Jane who is now competing with UVA, others are rumored to be leaving and/or retiring including Asthagiri, Kellogg, Sheehan, Smith, and Vollmer.  UVA neurology dept is struggling and this worsens case volume for neurosurgery.

[Guest]

Rumors that Sheehan is leaving UVA...If true another big loss for UVA