University of Illinois at Peoria - IM review - uicomp

[ArchivalUser]

Here is a review of UIC, Peoria. I noted that prior reviews have been a while back so I decided to write an updated one. Hope this helps all those who are interested in the internal medicine program here.

[ArchivalUser]

This is a clinically strong program. We have 6 medicine teams each with a patient load of 15 patients. Each team has an attending, a senior (2nd or 3rd-year resident), an intern and medical student/s. We have great attendings like Dr. Fischer, Dr. Lynch, Dr. Pflederer and Dr. Farrell to name a few. Some of the subspecialists have retired and have also joined the program's teaching service. As a tertiary care center and a level 1 trauma center, we get about 1400 life flights a year (busiest in Illinois). The program is busiest in central Illinois and we get to see a wide variety of pathologies. Since under privileged population is also supported by charity, poor do not have much of a problem in getting medical treatment. The program also has very strong critical care service with about 22 beds in medical ICU (which is separate from our medical intermediate unit). Residents can customize their electives based on the specialty they intended to go to. One of the resident I know took up anesthesia (intubation), cardiovascular surgery ( chest tube placement), bedside ultrasound and interventional radiology course to learn various procedure skills as the resident geared for a career in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Normally the residents if interested get more procedures than what many other programs may offer - central lines, lumbar punctures, ABGs, paracentesis, thoracentesis, arthrocentesis, chest tube, intubations etc. One resident I personally know has placed in 44 central lines, 50ish intubations and 14 chest tube placements. Many of the residents also take 2 week bedside ultrasound course if they are interested in a career in critical care medicine. The hospital also has 5 ECMO machines. ICU is supported by tele-ICU as well.

There are about 8 regional hospitals that transfer patients to us from around 150 mile radius. The teaching is good and by the end of 3 years, one will be comfortable to lead a career in academic medicine, fellowship or hospitalist. There is plenty of autonomy- you will not complain about this! And at the same time adequate supervision.

The program also gives $10,000 sign on bonus for those interested in a career in primary care - internal medicine, med/peds, ob-gyn and peds. The hospital cafeteria is free of charge 24/7 unlimited. This is big for saving. In addition, the city of Peoria is cheap and a 2 bedroom apartment costs about $600. There are multiple other incentives such as $1500 yearly educational allowance, $1200 yearly research allowance and so on...

The hospital is based in Peoria. The city itself is not very vibrant when compared to Chicago. Residents do get away from the city on weekends. This may be boring place if you are single and do not socialize much - as in my case. The program is a good mix of IMGs and AMGs. Some residents are married with kids.

The program director, Dr. Lynch is one of the best person I have come across. She is very supportive and because of her efforts the program is doing well and residents are happy.

The program also has a simulation center which is a multimillion dollar building with state of art simulation facility. One can rehearse codes, procedures here. Due to the facility here we have noted about 40% survival in code blue patients when compared to ~ 20% nationally.

The program has established cardiology and GI fellowships. They are going to be taking first pulmonary and critical care fellows in July 2017. The program is likely to become more competitive as they have 3 most competitive fellowships in the current market.

Residents in the past have gotten into places of their choice - whether it be fellowship or other jobs. They do a good job in preparing for a career in internal medicine.

The downside of the program is lack of research infrastructure. They are currently working on strengthening it. They have a long way to go in this area. No basic science research available. You may have trouble in finding mentors for helping you with research.

[ArchivalUser]

Great faculty, who are dedicated in teaching. We have morning report and noon conference clubbed together from 11:30 am to 1 pm. This is also page free time, where we do not get paged. The program also has morning report on Wednesday mornings. Hospital has Epic EMR both in clinic and hospital. This makes life very comfortable. One can either dictate or type noted. Attending prefer interns to type notes as that helps them to understand their thought process.

This is a non-malignant program. I cannot think of any faculty that may be bad. If someone is weak, the program tries to work with them and makes them do remedial months and may delay their graduation. Main aim of the program is to graduate competitive physicians who are able to practice medicine safely..