Interview #8

Penn State

Initial Thoughts:

Pros: Super close to Thompson Grandparents It's a known quantity- he knows the faculty, the facilities & residents, so the adjustment would be minimal.  New children's hospital has been approved to be built.

Cons: Facilities are sub-par.  ER rotation is two hours away.  Shopping is far and housing is expensive.  Joel really wants out of central PA.

Bottom Line: We would prefer not to match here.

Our current rankings:
1. Pitt
2. Nationwide
3. Rochester
4. Rainbow Babies
5. VCU
6. Syracuse
7. Penn State

Note:  We have eliminated Akron from the rank list as Joel REALLY doesn't want to go there at all.  We would rather scramble than go there.

And the winner is...

So, after discussing Pittsburgh vs Columbus, we decided to rank Pittsburgh #1.  Every time Joel talked about Pitt he would light up and get so excited.  I finally said......."Why are we still debating this when it's obvious how much you loved Pitt?"  And in classic Joel form - he says with a sheepish grin, "I like Pitt."  Who knows, we may end up matching at Ohio State anyway, but Pittsburgh as of now is getting ranked #1.  I mean, just look at that Children's Hospital (yes, all of that is a Children's Hospital).

Interview #7

Well, we've come to the end of the week long road-trip of interviews.  Only 2 more interviews to go........

Rochester, NY Children's Hospital

Initial Thoughts:

Pros: GEOGRAPHY- an hour from Stuetz Grandparents, next to the Palmyra Temple, home of Wegmans!, affordable place to live, fabulous schools.  Solid program with high passage rate.  The residents all love the program and the location.
Cons: The facilities are a lot older and the records aren't completely electronic.  It also doesn't have the patient flow that the bigger programs have.  5 1/2 hours from Thompson Grandparents.

Bottom Line: We would be fine with matching there.

Our current rankings: (tie breaker TBD)
1. Pitt
1. Nationwide
3. Rochester
4. Rainbow Babies
5. VCU
6. Syracuse
9. Akron (no, the #'s not a typo) :)

Interview #6

Nationwide Children's Hospital (Ohio State)

Initial Thoughts:

Pros: PECS and RISI programs are huge positives (programs to go out in the schools & practicing in a private practice).  The residents are really happy - they love both the program and the city.   There's a temple in Columbus.  The city is affordable.  Even though the hospital is older it's still a very nice facility (a new facility currently being built).  Offers great benefits (sick days, they move you, insurance is good).  Complete electronic records.

Cons: Geography- far from family (7 1/2 hours from Stuetz Grandparents & 6 from Thompson).  Facilities are below Pitt and Rainbow in terms of niceness.

Bottom Line: Loved it there!

Our current rankings: (tie breaker TBD)
1. Pitt
1. Nationwide
3. Rainbow Babies
4. VCU
5. Syracuse
6. Akron

Interview #5

Akron Children's Hospital

Initial Thoughts:

Pros: It's a nice children's hospital.  The residents really enjoy it there.  There's a new program director that seems to be changing things for the better.

Cons: Passage rate for Peds boards is only in the 50th percentile (ouch).   Serious NICU cases get sent to other hospitals.  Lack o' Culture in Akron (that's my way of saying there's not much in way of the arts).  They don't tend to draw the strongest of candidates.  Poor electronic records.  5 hours to both sets of grandparents.

Bottom Line: Ehhhh- let's just say we'd rather not end up there.
Our current rankings:
1. Pitt
2. Rainbow Babies
3. VCU
4. Syracuse
5. Akron

Interview #4

Cleveland Rainbow Babies

Initial Thoughts:

Pros: Beautiful hospital that offers a lot of specialties.  The residents are all really happy.  The faculty is really involved with the residents.  Cleveland is an inexpensive city to live in. 

Cons: 5 hours to both Grandparents.  Old electronic system - mediocre.  Emergency room is tiny and not the greatest.

Bottom Line: A great program that Joel would be happy with if he matched there.

Our current rankings:
1. Pitt
2. Rainbow Babies
3. VCU
4. Syracuse

Happy Day

Today Joel and I went to the Palmyra Temple.  We hadn't been back since our wedding day.  It brought back a flood of memories.  I was just reminded how much I love my husband and how wonderful it has been sharing our life journey together (so far).  I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.
When we walked out of the temple there was a couple getting their wedding pictures taken and it just made me smile.
(November is a good month to get married)

Interview #3

Syracuse Children's Hospital 

Initial Thoughts:

Pros: We love the area (Weggie's anyone?) and the housing is really affordable.  It's basically in the backyard of the Stuetz Grandparents (although my dad claims that could also be seen as a con) :)  An innovative, flexible curriculum with an education expert on staff.

Cons: Residents were unhappy or talked negatively about the program (unprompted).  It's not entirely electronic, similar to Hershey.  There are barely any fellows, and the program did not know how to sell itself well.  It did not come across as a very good program.  5 hours to the Thompson Grandparents.

Bottom Line: The program was underwhelming and Joel was not impressed.

Our current rankings:
1. Pitt
2. VCU
3. Syracuse