In the latest installment of our PD Q&A series, we are highlighting the Nuvance Emergency Medicine Residency Program in Poughkeepsie. We spoke with the current PD, Dr. Marc Borenstein, about what makes their program unique and what they look for in potential residents.
What sets your program apart from others?
We have a strong culture of support and inclusion. Residents are seen, heard, and known here. All voices matter. We have a common vision for the enhancement of well-being and our shared raison-d'etre as physicians: the delivery of excellent, humanistic, patient-centered emergency medical care. Our residents are owners of the program, not renters passing through. Each resident here has the opportunity and expectation to contribute to the program as partners in creating the legacy of this program for the community we serve as well as future residents we will train.
What is something students may not know about your program?
The Hudson Valley is a beautiful vacation and tourist destination with outdoor activities across four seasons. As a comprehensive stroke, STEMI, and level 2 ACS trauma center located just from 15 minutes to the Culinary Institute of America, Vassar and Marist Colleges, and less than 2 hours to NYC by train or car, range and acuity of illness /injury that our resident evaluate and treat spans the gamut from rural to suburban to urban. Our graduates have all been successful in matching in their top choices across the country in various fellowships such as EMS, POCUS, Critical Care, Neuro Critical Care and Pain Management. Those offered jobs right out of residency have signed with their top choices across the country from New York to Florida, Texas, North Dakota and California.
How do you feel about the change to pass/fail Step 1 grading?
This change has not affected our holistic approach to application review and interview invitations.
What kinds of research opportunities exist? Do you look for residency candidates with research experience?
We have a high acuity and a diverse range of clinicopathologic conditions which provides opportunities for our residents to present at professional society academic meetings, publish distinctive/unusual case reports, and enter national events such as the CORD CPC competition. The Nuvance Research and Innovation Department and the Patricia Tietjen Teaching Academy have dedicated leadership, staff, and resources to support a wide range of scholarly activity.
What are the benefits and challenges of completing EM residency in New York City?
This question does not apply to us in that we are about 1 hour and 45 minutes north of New York City. We think that a benefit for EM residency training in Poughkeepsie, NY is that our location has easy access to NYC by train or car without the high cost of living in NYC and long commuting times often associated with working in NYC. We do not have the challenges that have sometimes been encountered in NYC EDs such as limited ancillary support services and/or an inadequate ED physical space for the annual patient volume..
What are some qualities that your program looks for in applicants? Can you describe any attributes and qualities that make applicants stand out?
- Pioneers
- Program owners (not renters)
- Positive attitude/enthusiastic
- Respects/values others
- Interested in learning how your communication and behavior can affect others
- Motivated to achieve communication and relationship-building excellence
- Empathetic, compassionate, has humility
- Professionalism, honesty/integrity
- Does not settle for just getting by, motivated to deliver excellence, consistently brings their best effort to work
- Sense of humor/enjoys having fun
Can you describe any attributes and qualities that make applicants stand out?
Community/volunteer service, passion/dedication in an activity such as athletics or the arts, authenticity, overcoming challenges, life experience.