The Match: Residency’s pro-sports draft
Well, it is that wonderful time of the year when we sit down, scratch our heads, and try to come up with our match lists. I’m a big sports fan, and for me, the process is somewhat akin to a pro-sports draft. You’ve got candidates moving up and down your draft board all season long. You’ve had the opportunity to scout some of them directly while they rotated on your teaching services. Others, you may have only had a single interview to try and capture as much information as you can.
I’m certain that, over the years, everyone has developed certain core tenets that guide your decision-making process. I’d like to share some of ours with you and encourage you to reply so that we can all learn from one another…
- We try as much as possible to avoid giving any one person too much power over the rank list. One year, we had a highly qualified candidate who interviewed very well with the faculty and residency administration. Unfortunately, our residents felt differently, that the candidate didn’t ‘fit’ into the program. One person on our selection committee really pushed hard for the candidate despite these concerns, and the committee ultimately acquiesced. Turns out the residents were correct. The individual did match with us and ultimately transferred out of the program. The next year, no person’s vote trumped anyone else’s vote.
- Involve your residents in the process and LISTEN TO THEM. As the above example illustrates, the residents perceived this individual was going to be a poor fit for our program, and they were correct. We have also had candidates who the faculty were skeptical of because they had less-than-stellar academics. However, residents who knew the candidates or who had worked with them strongly advocated for them and assured us the individuals would succeed. In most cases, we went with the residents input, and I cannot think of a time when we regretted that decision.
- Recruit for your culture. Each hospital and residency program has a culture. Our organization has a strong institutional culture, and we have worked to establish one within our residency program. We are keenly aware of our program’s strengths, and we recruit residents that share those strengths and fit into our culture. By recruiting to your strengths and culture, you will assure yourselves of a good match (no pun intended!!). Do not try and be something you are not, unless you are consciously trying to redefine your program (for example, a greater emphasis on research).
- One thing we began doing several years ago is specifically looking for candidates who listed participation in team sports their application. Medicine has become a team sport with its (finally) increased emphasis on multidisciplinary care. On a whim, we pulled some old files to see if there was any correlation between team sports and performance within the residency, particularly in terms of interpersonal skills. We found some anecdotal evidence supporting team sport activity as a positive indicator for success within residency and now routinely look for evidence of this participation.
As I mentioned, I think we all have certain things we do during the interview season and rank list time and I encourage you to share what you do in the comment box below.
I look forward to hearing from you!
PS – One of the items I’ll discuss next time (in response to a question) is the interface between the AOA and ACGME in residency – fun times!!!
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Michael Pistoria, DO, FACP
Michael Pistoria, DO, FACP is associate program director for internal medicine at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) in Allentown, PA. He received his BS in Molecular Biology from Vanderbilt University, and his DO degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Pistoria is a charter member of the Society of Hospital Medicine, has served on the Education Committee since 2000 and has presented nationally regarding hospitalists and medical education. He completed his residency training, including a chief resident year, at LVH and joined the staff there as a hospitalist in 1999.Michael has written 3 posts.
Comments
Dear Michael Pistoria, DO, FACP:
I just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your segement regarding The Match. I am the Academic Program Manager for the Pediatric Residency Program at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando Florida. I plan to share with my Academic Chairman the specific segment regarding our applicants who participate in team sports. When reading everyone’s personal statements we always look at what their personal hobbies are. I have noticed that the applicant’s who have participated in team sports usually talk about being part of a team during their interview. On a personal note, it was very cool reading about a physician from my home town. I grew up in Allentown, PA. I graduated from William Allen High School and my whole family still lives in Allentown. I also lived in Philadelphia for two years. I moved to Florida about 31 years ago and still visit my family every summer. I have not however been back for a winter in about 25 years. While the winters are great in Florida I still miss fall in PA. One of my first stops every year when I come home is to drive through the Lehigh Parkway. It’s still so beautiful to me. I just recently celebrated my 30th anniversary for working here at Orlando Health/Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. WOW! I can hardly believe it myself sometimes. I literally grew up here. I have seen our organization grow from two small hospitals to the “mecca” it is today. I have the same feeling when I come home to Allentown each year. My son was born in 1971 at Allentown General Hospital as it was called at the time. It’s so amazing to seen how your hospital/organization has grown as well. Every year when I return to Florida from my vacation in Allentown, everyone one the plane says “what’s that smell”. I just keep silent and hold on to my “yocco doggie pack” hidden in my travel bag! Take care and once again thank you for much for your great article.
Sincerely,
Tina M. Zimmerman
Academic Program Manager
Pediatric Education
Orlando Health/Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
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