Recent content by ThoracicGuy

I agree with a bunch of what @LucidSplash wrote. The first question is absolutely if you are willing to do only thoracic or if you want to do only cardiac or a combination of the two. Once you go only thoracic, I think you have a pretty small window of maybe a year, two at best, to go back to...

I bet none of the attendings gave out their numbers...

That would be a big hell no for me... No patient is ever getting my cell phone number.

How does someone become a PGY15? That typically refers to training years of residency. If I read this right, you don't have any residency training and just matched into a program. Is that right? Or you've been training in another country? Either way, you should reach out to the board and...

If a place isn't set up to do a 4/3, I don't think they can just create the program like that.

I didn't have any coding or billing talks during my time in training.

Definitely gives you good job security there...

Being where you are, I expect you do a bunch of stuff that a surg onc in Dallas or NYC or LA would never ever do. I'm not sure I could ever take a job like that.

At least on the surgical side, no one cares about the score for fellowship, only that you passed.

Even if it isn't an ideal situation, it's a place to offers it in the location you want. You apply to it.

One question is can it be done, which it can if you have the right training and/or mentor at your practice after residency. Should you is maybe a better question. Also, will a hospital allow you credentials for these things you wish to do. If you have a reasonable General Surgery residency...

You can repeat PGY2 with another program IF there is a program that has an open spot and wants to take the chance on you. That's not a given. It is unfortunate that your program did not allow you to have another try at it.

But they can always try to get the reviews or whatever in to get the outcome they want. They can still hurt you more. Moving to legal action will likely take time and that's time you don't always have when you are then stuck in limbo without a training program. Not saying this would happen...

Your PD can still deny you a letter of good standing if he wants. They can always hurt you more. The safest path is to finish IM, apply while you are there to be able to start into a Neuro program as soon as you are done. This way you still have a chance to become board certified in something.

You don't want to go without being in training if you can avoid it. No guarantee that you'd match and the farther you go without being in medicine, the harder it will be for you.