Fellowship Chase

Question • What type of subspecialty fellowship do I want to do?

Which specialty? The most important questions: • Should I do a fellowship?

– Do I like to be broad or more focused? (i.e. – know a lot about a little, or a little about a lot)

– Do I really love one specific area of medicine? – Will the extra time invested mean increased income, better lifestyle? – Will the specialty lead me to my ultimate goals (geographically,

cosmically??)

• Which fellowship should I do? – Need to narrow it down PRIOR to the year in which you plan on

applying!! – Better to be focused (I.e. – applying to a single fellowship rather than >2) – Try to take those electives early in internship to help narrow it down – Ask yourself: “can I see myself doing this for the rest of my life?”

Question • Can I apply to more than one type of subspecialty fellowship simultaneously?

More than one? • Yes, but NEVER to the same program!!! • Yes, but it will make life more difficult!! • Yes, but you will ultimately have to decide!

– It may be easier to do this with one non­match specialty and one match­ based specialty b/c the calendar of applications and interviews are different. (non­match is earlier than match based)

Question • When should I start the application process?

When to start? – The non­match fellowships are on a rolling basis – trickier process

than match; Must know which specialty applying for by July of that year b/c you should be requesting applications by July, sending them out by August and September (or earlier). Remember, it works on a first­come, first­serve basis!

– Match fellowships generally follow this schedule:

• Application deadlines: December – January

• Interview: Jan – May (heaviest in late Feb – April)

• Match list due: 2 nd week of June

• Match Day: 3rd – 4 th week of June

Question • How do I find out about the programs? – Names/Addresses/Phone # – Match or no match – Detailed information

Question • What is the best way in which to get an application?

Getting an application • Use Freida or ACGME’s websites to locate the contact info. • FREIDA: (http://www.ama­assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html)

– Great for contact info, but only updated once yearly. – Great to create a database for tracking.

• ACGME: (http://www.acgme.org/adspublic/) – Kept more updated than Freida for changes in addresses and program

director’s names.

• How to contact? – Use email where possible. Write formal email. (everything you

send a program is kept in a file!) – Call program coordinators for remainder. – Not necessary to use snail mail unless specified. – Some programs want you to fax a written request.

– Keep track of all correspondence in a database to avoid over or under calling programs! (see example slide)

Question • Where should I apply for fellowship and how should I decide this?

Question • How many applications should I submit?

Where and how many? • Determine your specific restrictions & preferences. • Apply to more rather than less if possible. (can cancel

interviews later if you need to). • Determine which “tiers” of programs you want to apply to. • Determine how “competitive” your specialty is

historically. • Determine how “competitive” you are as an applicant. • Decide research heavy vs. research light programs. • If possible, do not geographically restrict yourself too

much!)

Question • What types of fellowship programs are available within a particular subspecialty?

Question • How many letters of recommendation should I request?

Question • Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

Recommendation letters • At least 3 for most programs. Some ask for 4. • Having excellent letters may be more important than having very high test

scores! • Ask early! (at least one month in advance) • Make life easier for person writing your letters…ask how you can help

facilitate the process as appropriate (provide database of addresses,etc.) • From??

– Faculty from the specialty to which you are applying. – Someone who can describe you as a person in addition to work ethic,

achievements, etc. – Someone you may have done research under. – Someone who can write a “excellent” letter – Someone prominent in the field on national level, if possible. – Someone who may know the fellowship director personally at a

specific program.

Question • How do I know whether or not my application has been received and is complete, including letters of recommendation?

Follow up of applications

• For ERAS based specialties, little easier; however, you must still follow­up b/c the program coordinator must download the applications regularly (which may NOT happen)

• Be persistent but not too persistent.

• Keep a database of your correspondence and highlight programs where your applications are complete. (see example provided)

• Calling is usually the best bet for this follow­up as opposed to email. (Be very polite on the phone, even if they give you the run around!)

Question • How many interviews should I undertake?

How many interviews? • 10­15 depending on the competitiveness of your specialty.

Question • How do I prepare for the interview process?

Interview preparation • You need to actually PREPARE! • Formulate a list of possible questions. • Either write out your ideal answer to each or bullet points. • It’s better to be overly prepared than to be caught off­

guard! • Practice “mock” interview sessions with faculty, family.

• Do NOT go into an interview blind, even if you think you are good at it!

Question • How should I follow­up after the interview has been completed?

Question • Will they call me? • Will they write to me? • How long should I wait?

Post interview follow­ up?

• Follow up email shortly after (days) interview to thank them for interview, etc.

• Follow up call/email weeks to months after to state your level of interest in the program.

• (see example letters provided)

Question • For non­match programs, how “pushy” should I be in making inquiries about the decisions of the selection committee?

Question • Will they call me? • Will they write to me? • How long should I wait?

Question • What is NEOUCOM? • What is SUMMA Health System?

Question • Who can help me?

Question • What else can I do to improve my chances of getting the program I want?

Other Tips

• Start early!! • Be anal retentive (at least for a while!)…You will have to be to keep

track of everything. • Organize programs into multiple databases! • Learn how to make a database for mail merging for address labels and

letters! • Keep your CV up to date constantly! Will make life easier for you. • Check email daily!! Many interview invites will come by email!

– Open account with large inbox – Yahoo! or G­mail – Check your Bulk folder as well before emptying for important messages

• No handwritten applications!!! – Typewriter or Scan + print applications – more professional outcome is worth the effort.

OVERALL STATISTICS FOR 2004 MATCH

Program Statistics Number % Enrolled Programs 395 Withdrawn Programs 8 Active Programs 386 Programs Filled 351 91% Programs Unfilled 35 9%

Active Positions 1237 Positions Filled 1197 97% Positions Unfilled 40 3%

Applicant Statistics Enrolled Applicants 2233 Withdrawn Applicants 124 Applicants Without Cert ROL 142 Active Applicants 1967 Matched Applicants 1197 61% Unmatched Applicants 770 39%

US Senior

US Grad

US Foreign

Pathway Osteo Foreign Canad. TOTA L

Total Registered

0 952 287 8 86 892 8 2233

Withdrawn 0 52 16 0 4 52 0 124

Not Certified

0 11 33 1 4 85 2 136

Certified NoRanks

0 3 1 0 1 1 0 6

Certified With ROL

0 886 237 7 77 754 6 1967

Matched 0 724 94 4 43 328 4 1197

% 82% 40% 57% 56% 44% 67% 61%

Unmatched 0 162 143 3 34 426 2 770

% 18% 60% 43% 44% 56% 33% 39%

Cardiovascular Disease (Internal Medicine) – MATCH 2004 Program Statistics Number % Enrolled Programs 161 Withdrawn Programs 4 Active Programs 157 Programs Filled 154 98% Programs Unfilled 3 2%

Active Positions 630 Positions Filled 626 99% Positions Unfilled 4 1%

Applicant Statistics Matched Applicants: School Matched %

US Grad 426 68% US Foreign 37 6% PATHWAY 2 0% Osteo 14 2% Foreign 145 23% CANADIAN 2 0% Total 626

Infectious Disease (Internal Medicine) – MATCH 2004 Program Statistics Number %

Enrolled Programs 111

Withdrawn Programs 3

Active Programs 108

Programs Filled 84 78%

Programs Unfilled 24 22%

Active Positions 257

Positions Filled 229 89%

Positions Unfilled 28 11%

Applicant Statistics Matched Applicants: School Matched %

US Grad 125 55%

US Foreign 18 8%

Osteo 11 5%

Foreign 75 33%

Total 229

Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine (Internal Medicine) Program Statistics Number % Enrolled Programs 111 Withdrawn Programs 1 Active Programs 110 Programs Filled 102 93% Programs Unfilled 8 7%

Active Positions 327 Positions Filled 319 98% Positions Unfilled 8 2%

Applicant Statistics Matched Applicants: School Matched %

US Grad 173 54% US Foreign 32 10% PATHWAY 1 0% Osteo 17 5% Foreign 94 29% CANADIAN 2 1% Total 319

Unfilled Programs by State ­ 2004

Cardiovascular Disease (Internal Medicine) Minnesota

Quota 6 Matched 5 U Minnesota Med School

Ohio

Quota 5 Matched3 Ohio State Univ Med Ctr­OH

Vermont

Quota 4 Matched 3 UVM/Fletcher Allen­VT

• Unfilled Programs in Infectious Disease (Internal Medicine) ­ 2004

• Stanford Univ Progs­CA • UC San Diego Med Ctr­CA • UCLA Medical Center­CA • U Colorado SOM­Denver • Univ of Connecticut • Yale­New Haven Hosp­CT • McGaw Med Ctr­NW Univ­IL • SIU SOM & Affl Hosps­IL • Indiana Univ Sch Of Med • U Iowa Hosp/Clin­Iowa City • Maine Medical Center •

•Johns Hopkins Hosp­MD •University Hosps­Columbia­MO •NY Med College ­NY •NYP Hosp­NY Cornell­NY •NYU School Of Medicine •St Vincents Hospital­NY •Univ Hosp Cincinnati­OH •Thomas Jefferson Univ­PA •UPMC Medical Education Pro •Medical University of SC •U Tennessee COM­Memphis •U Utah Affil Hospitals •U Wisconsin Hosp/Clinics

Henry Ford Hospital Henry E Kim M.D. letters should be sent with application; December

St John Hospital and Medical Center Howard Rosman M.D. January 1st

Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center Luis C Alfonso M.D. USMLE Certificate, copy of publications December 31st

Michigan State University George S. Abela M.Sc., M.B.A., M.D. copy of internship/residency completion certificate, list of publications December 31st

William Beaumont Hospital Robert Safian M.D. Dean's letter, med school transcript

Providence Hospital and Medical Centers Christian E Machado M.D. December 15th

University of Minnesota Leslie W Miller M.D. Dean's letter, personal statement, CV, USMLE scores, transcript copy, publications January 1st

online application submitted Mayo Graduate School of Medicine (Rochester) Guy S Reeder M.D. return application in provided envelope! Official December

80

81

77

78

79

M innesota

74

75

76

g f e d c

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Sample overall database to organize programs and track progress; color code: for example­ yellow = application received Gray: not applying, etc.

Sample database of addresses – need for mail merging for recommendation letters and mailing labels for applications!

First MI Last Suffix Address1 Address2 Address3 Address4 City State Zip Code

University of Alabama Medical Center

Vera A Bittner M.D., MSPH The University of Alabama at Birmingham Cardiovascular Disease Residency Program 701 South 19th Street, LHRB 306 Birmingham Alabama 35294­0007

University of South Alabama

Arizona

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Kenneth B Desser M.D. Kenneth B. Desser, M.D. Co­Director of Cardiology Fellowship Program Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center 1111 East McDowell Road­WT4 Phoenix AZ 85006

Mayo Graduate School of Medicine (Scottsdale)

University of Arizona

William R Roeske M.D. Dr. William Roeske Co­Director, Cardiology Fellowship Training Program University of Arizona 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Room 4143 ­ Box 245037 TucsonArizona 85724

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Eugene S Smith III M.D. Dr. Eugene Smith III University of Arkansas Med Division of Cardiology 4301 W Markham Slot 532 Little Rock AR 72205­7199

6

3

4

5

Arkansas

1

2

Cardiovascular Disease (IM)

Alabama

First MI Last Suffix Notes Deadline

1 University of Alabama Medical Center

Vera A Bittner M.D., MSPH (205) 934­0820 EMAILED 12/29/03

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Eugene S Smith III M.D. EMAIL NEXT WEEK!!

11 UCLA Medical Center Gregg C Fonarow M.D. (310) 794­9736 EMAILED 12/29/03

University of California (San Diego) Kirk U Knowlton M.D. (619) 543­3812 EMAILED 12/29/03

18 California Pacific Medical Center

Andrew Rosenblatt M.D. transcript, dean's letter, B&W photo preferred, documentation of US citizenship (passport copy) EMAILED 12/29/03

University of Colorado

Edward P Havranek M.D. Dean's letter, transcript copy http://www.uchsc.edu/cardiology/fellows

Cardiovascular Disease (IM)

Alabama

17

Co lorado

Arkansas

6

Califo rnia

22

Keep a database to track when you last communicated with a program so that you don’t seem uninterested, but also not overly eager!

Sample follow­up letter (post interview) addressed to a chief fellow:

Date:Tue, 20 Jan 2004 20:34:13 ­0800 (PST)

Subject:Thank you To:

Dear Dr. _____,

I would like to sincerely thank you for your help and support during my recent interview for the cardiology fellowship at the ____________. You provided a great deal of valuable information about the fellowship program. The fact that you were willing to spend so much time explaining the various aspects of the program really attests to the strong input and value of the fellows. I am highly interested in your fellowship training program. Any further advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like any further information.

Thanks once again.

Sincerely,

Sample letter of intent to chairman of cardiology:

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 07:44:48 ­0700 (PDT)

Subject: Cardiology Fellowship Program

Dear Dr. _______,

I just wanted to touch base with you now that I've completed my fellowship interviews. I had the good fortune of being able to interview fairly broadly at several fellowship programs. I think that the program at _______ would allow me to fully achieve all of my professional goals in a very comfortable and enjoyable environment. I truly felt that your fellowship program is very well­ balanced­­from both a clinical and research standpoint­­with a great deal of teaching and guidance from a very involved faculty. The fellows were very comfortable and satisfied with their training experiences and their clinical and academic abilities. With my interest in imaging, I was also very excited by the faculty and research in the areas of nuclear, echo, and MRI.

In summary, I wanted to express my profound interest in your outstanding cardiology fellowship program: I will be ranking your program #1 on my rank list. I hope that you will view my application favorably as well.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns either by email or at pager number (330) 971­1675. Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Sample follow­up letter (post­match) to chairman of cardiology:

Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 20:43:52 ­0700 (PDT)

Subject: Cardiology fellowship

Dear Dr. ________,

I just wanted to touch base with you now that the match is completed. I was very fortunate to match at ___________.

As you know, I have a very high regard for Northwestern's cardiology fellowship program; however, as most of my family resides in Northeastern Ohio, the Cleveland Clinic fulfilled both academic and personal goals for me. I wanted to thank you for providing me the opportunity to interview at Northwestern and for your consideration in the match process. I hope to meet and interact with you at cardiology meetings in the near future. Also, please convey my best regards and thanks to Nancy Parlapiano for all her help throughout the interview and match processes.

Sincerely,