QCOM EMIG

Bike Helmet Safety

2007-04-04T10:14:00.000-04:00

Our annual bike helmet safety service project took place this past week at the Boys and Girls Club of Johnson City.

Showing the brain and skull to the kids

Fitting helmets

Just a few of the kids that received helmets

2007 TECP Annual Conference

2007-04-03T17:03:00.000-04:00

This year, the TCEP Annual Conference is going to partner with the Alabama College of Emergency Physicians for their conference. Strangely, it will be held in neither of these states, and will instead be in Sandestin, Fl at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The dates are June 11-14, 2007. You may call Wilma Cooley at 615.460.1650 to reserve a spot, or you can check the ALACEP website. In the past conference attendance was free, and you only had to pay for housing, but right now there is no "medical student" option on their website. We will keep you informed as to the status of the annual meeting.

Nobody's Home

2007-01-31T17:31:00.000-05:00

Well in case anyone was wondering (which I doubt); interview season is coming to an end.

You might also be wanting to know why nothing has been posted for a long time. Well since only 2 people were reading the Blog (the 2 of us doing all the posting) we've decided to take our rants and tirades elsewhere. If anyone is interested in our adventures on the Trail of Tears '07 feel free to give us a yell. Otherwise I guess this could be the last post for a long long time.

Interview Trail '07 Continued

2006-11-09T23:34:00.000-05:00

Travis here. Just to let everyone know that even with really crappy Step I board scores, you too can get plenty of interviews and should hopefully match in EM. Here are my interviews up to this point.

UAB
UK
Palmetto-Richland (SC)
York (PA)
Geisinger (PA)
Penn State-Hershey
Allegheny (PA)
UF-Gainesville
ECU
MCG
Louisville
Arkansas
Orlando
USF (FL)
UT-Houston
Wright State (OH)
Mississippi

For those of you not wanting to do the math that's 17 offers. Please read this as I'm not bragging by any stretch of the means, just still a bit in awe. I will try to update as I'm able to with more offers as they occur.

Interview Season

2006-11-06T09:09:00.000-05:00

Justin here, telling people that even if you have a GPA less than 3.3, you can still get more than 10 interviews. Here are the ones I have gotten so far. Feel free to drop me a line if anyone has any questions about these places.
UK
UAB
MCG
MUSC
UF-Jax
UF-Gainesville
ECU
Duke
WVU
Wash U St. Louis
UT/Southwestern-Dallas

ACEP Scientific Assembly

2006-10-13T13:31:00.000-04:00

ACEP SA starts this weekend and goes through the middle of next week. There are workshops/lectures available to attend and a residency fair. We are in New Orleans and it should be interesting as this is one of the first large conventions post Katrina. We'll see how the city handles it and also how the convention goes.

Interview Trail '07

2006-10-09T22:31:00.000-04:00

Travis here again. It appears that interview offers for EM are in prime season. I'll try to give you an update as several (if I'm lucky) come in rather than posting each individual one. But I do have one more to add to my list; UK. So here is my list thus far.

Travis
UK
UAB
York
Orlando

Class of 2007 Interview Trail

2006-10-08T00:10:00.000-04:00

Now is the time that interviews are starting to be offered. So we'll try to let you guys know where we interview and that way you'll know who to speak with about the places. So here goes the start.

TRAVIS
UAB
York (PA)
Orlando.

Away Rotation-University of Cincinnati

2006-10-05T16:04:00.000-04:00

Justin again, posting my last away rotation, at University Hospital in Cincinnati
Pros
Set up with the pod system, so you have lots of beds, but you don't have to cover all of them.
Lots of helicopter time as a resident.
Lots of vacation time as a resident.
Lots of elective time as a resident.
Students have a lot of autonomy, or as little as they want. Showing initiative is always a good thing though.
One lecture day per week, from 8am-1pm. If you also work that shift, you get half your shift cut off by this.
Faculty are very helpful.
Nurses act like you are a doctor, and don't treat you like a student (unless you act like one).
HUGE hospital.
Tons of research.
Cons
I have 17 shifts this month, with 15 of them being 12 hours, and the other 2 being 10.
It is a four year program (not necessarily a con, but it is to a lot of people).
Just like Jacksonville, the real children's hospital isn't on site. Thus, you don't see any kids.
It's Cincinnati, so the geography isn't as sexy as some other places.
Because it is a dictation system, you don't ever write anything down. It takes some getting used to. You don't dictate as students.

Away Rotation-UF&Shands Jacksonville

2006-10-01T00:18:00.000-04:00

I, Justin, spent September in Jacksonville at the UF-Shands facility. Here is what I think of the program.

Pros
Resident run essentially. The residents do everything.
Very high census. You see a lot.
Students get to do procedures based on their comfort level. Central lines, intubation (on critical patients), pericentesis, you name it.
Faculty are rocket scientists. You can ask them everything, and they know the answer.
Jax Beaches (Jacksonville, Atlantic, and Neptune) are less than 30 minutes away.
Great night life.
The residents kick ass for the most part
One day is toxicology day at the zoo, you get to touch poisonous snakes (safely), and take a behind the scenes tour of the Jax zoo.
You take a rescue ride as well.
Mandatory children's shifts.
Cons
20-22 12 hour shifts per month as an intern.
12-13 12 hour shifts (plus one rescue that is 4-16 hours long) per month as a student.
The department is showing its age.
Incredibly high census means that average length of stay is enormous. You sometimes get patients after an 8 hour waiting room stint.
The real children's hospital is down at Wolfson's, and you don't get to go there.
Radiology runs the FAST scans in trauma.
Radiology takes forever.
The lab takes even longer.

All in all, probably the best place I have ever seen (of two).

King/Drew Closure

2006-09-24T15:50:00.000-04:00

So apparently it's official now and King/Drew failed their CMS inspection. This means no federal funds to see Medicare patients. Which basically means no money to see anyone and more especially no residencies as this is the money that funds almost all of the GME in the US. So for those looking to head to LA and wanted to get the great experience that comes from King/Drew, looks like you will not have your chance for quite some time if at all.

So alas, unless someone has a rich uncle who's looking to fund higher education and needs one hell of a major tax write off, the death knell tolls for King/Drew.

UK continued

2006-09-19T23:33:00.000-04:00

Just a few more words about UK.

After some recent chaos in the attending realm, it appears that things will soon settle down and UK will have a full amount of attendings soon.

Also, after a recent talk with the PD (Program Director); UK is impressed with ETSU QCOM students' knowledge base and work ethic. So it could bode well for future classes seeking places to do aways and match time.

All in all it was a very positive experience. For more details please contact me (Travis) directly and I'm happy to discuss it further.

Away Rotations: UK

2006-09-15T11:11:00.000-04:00

So Jeremy spent a month here prior to mine (Travis). I'm sure he'd be happy to let you know how he felt about things, but here's my feelings.

Pros
Lexington, KY - very cool place to live, affordable, people are friendly
Attendings are very knowledgable, friendly, and helpful (with very few exceptions)
Residents are cool to hang out with
You do (11) 8 hour shifts as a student
You get to see a good amount of variety and a good number of PEDS
Procedures abound
Get to be involved in Traumas (the good, the bad, and the ugly)
It's a required 4th yr rotation for UK, so very few people want to do EM, so you get to stand out and are involved more by the faculty/residents
You get to follow your patients through to disposition (not just be an H&P machine)
Radiology is at a reasonable pace with readings
The nursing staff is nice and helpful. Things usually get done at a reasonable rate

Cons
The ED has 3 EM residents, 2 off service residents, and then possibly another med student. So you can have to fight for patients
The end of rotation exam is a nightmare, but was recently changed and is undergoing changes to make it reasonable
Parking can be a nightmare
The hospital is old
The ED makes a dorm room look like the Biltmore Estate (Quarters are very tight, with a ED expansion under way now and a new ED coming in the future)
The computer system come over with the Mayflower. It is severely outdated and has only the most bare minimum of functions
The order forms are confusing and take some time to get used to
You only get to "tag along" with the sicker patients and not actually see them (unless you're agressive and take over the patient as the resident moves on to other patients)
The department has made a choice to go with Macs. (Two words for you: Beta Max)
The UK ED is a major dumping ground for most of Kentucky. The patients get accepted and then have to be reworked up by the ED before being dispoed.

UAB continued

2006-09-13T22:23:00.000-04:00

A little more info from me (Travis) about UAB EM rotation.

Pros
Electronic Medical Records
Computerized ED Tracking Board with plenty of computers (usually)
Very friendly EM residents who are cool to hang out with
You get to see some sick patients as well as the acuity level 5's
You get to participate in the Resident lectures (which are relevant)
Nursing/ancillary staff cool and friendly

Cons
It's Birmingham (hence hot, muggy, Deep South concrete jungle)
Almost no codes/MIs that you get involved with
Very few intubations/lines
Radiology moves at a pace rivaling Vermont Maple Syrup in January (particularly reads)
It can turn into a bit of an H&P marathon rather than getting to be involved with the disposition of patients.
The schedule can be a bit hectic (bounced back and forth from days,evenings, nights, with no real pattern)
Nursing was hit and miss about getting things done timely

Away Rotation-UAB

2006-09-06T23:38:00.000-04:00

Travis and I (Justin) spent the month in Birmingham doing an away rotation. This post is to note the Pros and Cons of the place.
Pros
8 hour shifts
Brand new ED
Lots of procedures
Very friendly faculty
You get to place consults
You can also to a Toxicology month, which gives you less ED shifts, and other experiences as well.

Cons
4 year program (unless you are into that)
Low acuity for the most part, no trauma experience
Very little peds experience (children's is down the street, and they go there, you don't)
The inn is always full, you get to hold on to a lot of admitted patients

If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to ask them in the comments.

Senior Electives

2006-08-02T19:02:00.000-04:00

Here is a list of places that our 4th year students are going.
Brian Smith
Wright Patterson AFB-August
Lackland AFB-October

Travis Watson
University of Alabama at Birmingham-August
University of Kentucky-September
University of South Carolina-October

Justin Hensley
UAB(Toxicology)-August
UF-Jacksonville-September
University of Cincinnati-October

Jeremy Racey
University of Kentucky-August
University of Louiville-unknown dates

Adam Langenbrunner
UF-Gainesville-August
Wake Forest-September

Josh Pruitt
University of Virginia (Peds EM)-July
University of Louisville-August

Residency Update

2006-06-25T11:12:00.000-04:00

It seems that Quillen is likely to get an EM residency. When will it happen? I don't know, but it is possible that the Class of 2008 or 2009 will be able to take advantage of it. The funding is now in place and a program director is needed.

Community Service: Bike Safety

2006-05-13T11:17:00.000-04:00

The ETSU EMIG gave away about 60 helmets to pre-K through 4th graders. We talked about bike safety, rules of the road, proper helmet wear, and we showed cadaver brains and skulls to the children. We also gave away coupons to Norris Schwinn for bike safety accessories like reflectors, bells, and helmets for those who did not get one.

Fellowships in Emergency Medicine

2006-05-04T15:26:00.000-04:00

One of the biggest questions for EM residents is whether or not to do a Fellowship after residency. Here is some information gathered at the recent SAEM Southeastern Regional Meeting. More information is always available at the SAEM website.

Job Seekers Triad

Content/Quality of Job
Remuneration
Location

Numbers for 2003
Programs: 130 Fellows:104

Why do a Fellowship in EM?

Increased job satisfaction
More highly sought after for Academic Attending Positions
More highly sought after for leadership positions in private groups

ACGME Certification

Peds
Tox
Sports Medicine

RDMS Certification in Ultrasound

Evaluating a program

Service requirements
Quality of clinical service (not just Fast Track)
Salary

Fellowship Directors

Want someone really interested
Beware of programs looking for warm bodies

The Big 3

Peds
EMS
Tox

Other Opportunities

U/S
Critical Care
International EM (12-15 programs)
Cardiovascular Emergencies
Faculty Development (Wright State)

Teaching
Research
Service/Administration

Upcoming Events

2006-04-12T14:37:00.000-04:00

Upcoming Events for you to be involved with EMIG, (pain is minimal):

Bike Safety Fair-

3 May 2006 from 2:30 to 3 pm

EMIG and student affairs shall donate 67 bike helmets to students at an elementary school. There will be a raffle for the helmets .
It’s a great opportunity for us to do a service for the community.
We will also do a brief demo on the correct use of a bike helmet.
Plastinated organ show and tell
This will not take long, only half an hour so hopefully many of you, our wonderful members, will be able to make it.
Sign-up sheet

Extrication Workshop-

22 Apr 2006 from 1 pm to 3 pm

Come use the jaws of life
Training exercise for firefighters

Election Results

2006-04-12T14:21:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to all our newly elected officers- all of whom ran uncontested.

President Brian Smith
President-Elect Boi Tran
Vice President - Richard Brooksbank (zrdb44)
Treasurer/Secretary/Website Design -Kayla Griffith (zkfg1)
Community Service- Cristina Boncek(zclb49) , Sarah Gustafson

SAEM tips for getting into residency

2006-03-28T22:57:00.000-05:00

During the SAEM conference last week, we had a meeting with program directors, during which they detailed the best ways to guarantee a residency.
Do well during your first 2 years, GPA means a lot
Do better during 3rd year, as clinical experience is worth even more, especially surgery and medicine
Do well for Step 1
Do better on Step 2
Specifically for our school, do at least 2 away rotations
Those two away rotations should be at diametrically opposed institutions, ie one academic (Think Wake Forest or Vandy) and one county (Think Charlotte or Jacksonville)
During your away rotation, show up early, leave late, make your name known, but don't brown nose
You will do enough EM during residency, so don't burn out during 4th year doing too much EM
Get some derm experience
Get some radiology experience
If you don't get an interview, call the program, they will look at your application again

There are more, but these should abate you for the time being.

MUSC Emergency Medicine Residency

2006-03-19T18:52:00.000-05:00

I have just received confirmation that MUSC has indeed received full accredidation for a 3 year Emergency Medicine Residency. They will begin taking interns in July 2007. Which is good news for the Class of 2007.

The lucky winners of a ride with Wings!

2006-02-12T12:29:00.000-05:00

Rachel and Scott were the lucky winners of the ride with Wings. The pilot demonstrated the aerobatics of the Bell 407.

WINGS!

2006-02-12T12:24:00.000-05:00

Wings lands at Appalachian Ski Mountain.

2006-02-12T12:14:00.000-05:00

On Feb 9, 2006 Wings and Appalachian Ski Mountain hosted an Aeromedical Evacuation and Ski Medicine and Rescue Training. Safety around helicopters was discussed then the crew introduced critical care aeromedicine. Two lucky EMIG members were allowed to ride in the Bell 407 with Wings. The Ski patrol then showed some special equipment and techniques unique to outdoor medicine/rescue. We then enjoyed the slopes at Appalachian Ski Mountain and dinner at the Parthenon in Boone, NC.

ETSU Quillen COM EM Residency News

2006-01-29T19:36:00.000-05:00

New news on the Quillen COM EM residency front. I have heard from several sources as of late. It appears as though the local health systems (with all that entails: Hospitals, Physicians, Money, ....) is on board. So what now you are asking? There needs to be a EM Program Director in place. Then Quillen can start moving towards the process of possible accredidation. This is likely to take a few more years, but we can only wait and watch. But we must continue to work with and pressure the administration on this front to ensure the progress doesn't get lost.

The details will still need to be hammered out, but here is the numbers being thrown around currently. The plans to start with are to have a total of 18 residents. This is 6 per year for a 3 year program. According to my sources Bristol is likely to not have EM residents due to it's lack of a PICU. So the 6 per year would be split between JCMC and HVMC. This seems to be a pretty standard number for new residencies, particularly EM.

Stay tuned for updates as they come to light. For those of you in the know, please keep us up to date with your information. For more information please feel free to contact Travis Watson at ztdw9@imail.etsu.edu.

Speaker: Dr. Clay Runnels

2005-09-18T03:11:00.000-04:00

On Wen, September 21, 2005 at 12 pm EMIG will be holding a lunch meeting in COO1. Dr. Clay Runnerls the speaker, will be discussing the opportunities existing in emergency medicine. As an emergency medicine specialist, Dr. Runnels will discuss his career , so this is an excellent opportunity for students to find out more about EM.

2005-06-25T16:02:00.000-04:00

One of Vanderbilt's trauma rooms. Notice the recessed mobile cabinets.

Events at the TCEP conference in Nashville.

2005-06-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

Below are some of the highlights from the 2005 TCEP conference:

One of the first speakers was Dr. Joe Holley who is part of a national search and rescue team called Tennessee Task Force One, and EMS director of the State of Tennessee. He discussed the triumphs and tribulations of the rescue at the Pentagon in September of 2001.

Dr. Tom Deering was a Medical Examiner who had a case study of how to determine cause of death and time.

Dr. Murray Marks was a Forensic Anthropologist from the Knoxville Anthropology Center (aka Body Farm). He led a very interesting pictorial discussion of how to determine time of death based on remains.

There were three Pediatrics lectures including Geoff Hayden, Chief Resident at Vanderbilt, who led a case based study in various topics such as poisoning, infectious diseases, and a snake bite. Don Arnold, MD, discussed child abuse and later, Steve Cico, MD, shared some great information on how to manage pediatric trauma.

Vanderbuilt's very own, Dr. Corey Slovis, took a look at chest pain cases and current management and diagnosis.

Dr. Mark Green discussed Emergency Medicine at the "Tip of the Spear" in the U.S. Army Special Forces.

The TCEP President, Dr. Robin Hemphill, discussed blast and crush injuries in the mass casualty setting and the difficult management of these critical cases.

Dr. James Creel was the last speaker with a guide to the Tennessee Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), which is a deployable assistance team that has deployed to events such as the Florida Hurricanes Charlie, Francis, Jeanne, and Ivan, the 2005 Presidential Inauguration, and the 2005 State of the Union Address. DMAT is a Department of Homeland Security asset and they are always looking for help. If you would like to help out then contact Brian Smith at zbss16@imail.etsu.edu.

It was a great conference and we are looking forward to next year.

2005-06-25T11:35:00.000-04:00

We also were afforded a tour Vanderbilt's new ED.

2005-06-25T11:11:00.000-04:00

Justin Hensley and Brian Smith attended the 2005 TCEP annual meeting.

2005-05-24T16:10:00.000-04:00

Chris Davis is properly fitting a helmet for yet another satisfied customer.

2005-05-24T16:09:00.000-04:00

We gave away several helmets to the kids. The girl in red is sporting this year's model.

2005-05-24T16:08:00.000-04:00

The police gave several bike tours of downtown Johnson City with a strong emphasis on safety. The taught the kids how to use hand signals and obey traffic laws.

2005-05-24T16:05:00.000-04:00

Skaters were there to help too.

2005-05-24T16:04:00.000-04:00

Stunt bike riders were on hand to entertain the kids.

2005-05-24T16:02:00.000-04:00

The medical school's finest working with Johnson City's finest.

2005-05-24T16:01:00.000-04:00

This is what the bike rodeo was all about!

2005-05-06T10:26:00.000-04:00

Here is Justin using the separation device in his unsuccessful attempt at removing a door. The instructor was also unsuccessful on his first couple of attempts at removing the door as well.

2005-05-06T10:25:00.004-04:00

Boi is shown here in another unit's turnout gear, (being the model she is), while cutting the B pillar. In all of the pictures shown removing roofs, it is important to note that you should always start with the post farthest from the trapped patient, and work you way towards them. End on the post directly adjacent to them, so that they have some roof support if needed.

2005-05-06T10:25:00.003-04:00

Boi shown modelling the latest fashion in turnout gear.

2005-05-06T10:25:00.002-04:00

Chris contemplating the new "convertible" feature on his junker. Removing the top allows the Rescue Squad easier access to the passenger compartment.

2005-05-06T10:25:00.001-04:00

Here members of the Jonesboro Fire Department (Brown turnout gear) along with members of the WCJCRS (Blue gear) show how to stabilize a car that is inherently unstable. Having a car fall on you during a rescue is considered "poor form".

2005-05-06T10:25:00.000-04:00

Chris is sitting in the car as a "trapped" passenger, waiting to be extricated.

2005-05-06T10:18:00.001-04:00

Chris is shown using the cutting tool to cut the A pillar on this old Honda.

2005-05-06T10:18:00.000-04:00

Justin Hensley (2nd year), is shown using the "cutting tool" to cut the A pillar on a Honda.

Upcoming Events for Spring Semester 05

2005-03-19T17:11:00.000-05:00

March 23
STREET DRUGS IN THE ER
Dr. Kenneth Ferslew will give a presentation on illicit drugs in C-000 at 5:00pm. He will be discussing the effects of common street drugs and how to recognize and treat individuals under the influence.
You have probably heard that Tennessee has a big problem with crystal meth, so Dr. Ferslew has agreed to give that a little extra attention. This should be a fascinating and important talk that will clear up common myths and provide crucial information for care of patients in any clinical setting.
Dinner will be served, Andy is preparing his famous lasagna. Please RSVP to Bryan Smith or one of the other officers below so we will know how many to prepare for.

April 30
EXTRICATION WORKSHOP
Washington County/Johnson City Rescue Squad will hold an extrication workshop. It will be at Hilltop Honda junkyard located at 202 Furnace Road in Johnson City.
RSVP with Bryan Smith or one of the other officers by 27 Apr so we can notify the Rescue Squad of how many are attending.

May 14
BICYCLE RODEO
The Johnson City Police Dept. is holding an event for all ages downtown all day saturday. There will be a bicycle parade for the kids and a bike tour of the city for adults.
We are giving a presentation on bicycle and helmet safety. If you are interested in participating in a community event slightly different than a health fair, please let us know.
Ryan McAuley and Chris Davis will be working on the presentation and I believe we have a couple of volunteers to attend the 'Rodeo, but additional hands are always helpful.
We will also be handing out coupons for discounts on bicycle helmets at the event.

For further information:
Brian Smith zbss16@imail.etsu.edu President-elect
Andy Szaflarski zats5@imail.etsu.edu Vice President
Boi Tran zbpt2@imail.etsu.edu Secretary
Ryan McAuley zrjm7@imail.etsu.edu Community Outreach Coordinator
Chris Davis zcmd16@imail.etsu.edu Treasurer
Justin Hensley zjbh21@imail.etsu.edu Website Coordinator

Minutes from 14 Mar 05 EMIG Meeting

2005-03-19T17:04:00.000-05:00

Elected Treasurer: Chris Davis
Discussed: Toxicology workshop,Extrication workshop, Bicycle Rodeo

Minutes: Officer's meeting on 14 Feb 05

2005-03-19T16:56:00.000-05:00

Roster: Brian Smith, Chris Davis, Ryan McAuley, Boi Tran
Topics discussed:
Set up meeting on March 14 (Boi)
Elect new treasurer at next meeting
Helmet Safety (Chris & Ryan)
Resolution: Begin investigational process for an Emergency Medicine Residency program at Quillen

2005-02-28T21:13:00.000-05:00

Wings Air Rescue Aeromedical Evacuation and Ski Trip
2003

Helicopter landing at Wolf Laurel.

Wings discussing the basics of aeromedical evacuation.

Dr. Ken Turner explaining management of the hypothermia patient.

Students using the facilities of Wolf Laurel.

Current Events

2005-02-28T12:36:00.000-05:00

Meeting on Monday, March 14th at 12:00 in C-001.

We will be discussing upcoming events such as the extrication workshop, as well as electing a treasurer.