Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis

Attendings/Residents: Dr. DeHeer, two other main attendings and nearly 30 other attendings at outside hospitals. The three main attendings are pleasant to work with and really care about the residents and their growth. The residents all seemed to get along well. They didn’t seem as close-knit as other programs, but they were all cool with each other.

Academics: Very structured and ran a couple times per week, the academics were mostly for the students. Student presentations at the end of the month

OR Experience: This was a negative experience for me. It’s difficult to gain trust from 30 attendings when they barely know you. There were many times when a PGY2 was only allowed to close. This, combined with the substantial amount of driving that is required, made it difficult to see myself at this program. Minimal trauma exposure

Clinic: Clinic ran a few times per week, good autonomy for the residents.

Pros: Great academic program, and you will learn a ton. Learning from Dr. DeHeer is a major strength of this program. Pediatric exposure is also huge at this program.

Cons: Lack of hands-on experience in the OR and a ton of driving. There were times when, as a student, I would drive 50 minutes to a surgery center just to watch a PGY2 close.

Overall: Good program with great surgery exposure and variety. I would recommend students to spend a month at this program to see what a well-run, organized residency should be like.

Location: Main hospital is Ascension St Vincents in North Indianapolis. There is a resident clinic across the street from the main hospital. Numerous affiliated surgical centers in the IU system that residents do cases at. Numerous private practices associated with the program where residents are able to rotate through.

Attendings: Dr. Patrick DeHeer (Director), Dr Chase Stuart, Dr William Wolfe, Dr Travis Montgomery and nearly 20 other associated attendings.

Residents: Outgoing, engaging, family oriented. Work hard, play hard mentality. Many of the residents have families. Residents are from all over the US, all from different Pod Schools. Very cohesive group.

Academics: 7 am Tuesday mornings are the academics. Each week there is something different (Radio Review, Journal Review, Lectures/LitReview, Presentations by students). 1-2x month cadeaver lab, 1x month board review done with associated faculty and residents. Most well rounded academics ive seen.

OR Experience: PGY1 get the blade from day 1 at the MAIN hospital. Especially since most of these cases are inpatient, limb salvage I saws the attendings be very hands off with the PGY1 group. Within 3 months most of the PGY1 had nearly 60-70 cases, single scrub. PGY2 and PGY3 are doing elective cases in the community with associated faculty, most attendings are quick to give the blade to the residents and let them do majority of the case. Montgomery brings many flaps/orthoplastic, charcot cases and mainly has PGY3 on his big recons. HUGE asset of this program. DeHeer is awesome in the OR, constantly teaches throughout the case and brings some great elective cases to the program. He sees a ton of pediatric patients as well. Great diversity

Clinic Experience: Resident clinic is Monday – Friday in which 1 resident covers AM, and 1 resident covers PM. Mandatory for each resident do ONE session a week. Very chill clinic. Residents are then allowed to go to surrounding clinics in the city when they are done with cases or have free days. Resident run clinic is great, relaxed.

Lifestyle: great, multiple residents have families with kids. because PGY2 and PGY3 are mainly scrubbing electives in the community, when the residents are done covering those cases its up to them to go to a clinic or not, so they were all very happy and had good work-life balance.

PRO: Well rounded, phenomenal academics, Dr DeHeer brings with him great connections in podiatry, conferences, academics etc. Attendings are hands off for the most part and let the residents actively participate in cases. Great exposure to complex charcot and muscle flaps with Montgomery. Affordable housing. Great family oriented residents. One of my favorite clerkships as a student because you learn so much and have a great deal of diversity.

CON: TRAUMA – OrthoIndy does not allow podiatry to scrub the trauma that comes through St Vincent (level 1 trauma). I sensed the frustration with the residents on this. Some outside attendings may not let the residents do too much.

Overall: VERY WELL ROUNDED. Dr DeHeer’s experience and knowledge will impact this program for the better. His connections and consistent desire to innovate and improve will make this program highly sought after. GREAT exposure to Pediatrics through DeHeer. Very balanced life style with excellent diversity in case load. Dr Montgomery adds extensive insight in Charcot and limb salvage using complex closure techniques. PGY2 and PGY3 are mainly seeking out electives in the community and have the options to work in any of the associated faculty’s clinic. Aside from the lack of trauma (podiatry rarely gets any trauma) in the main hospital, couldn’t not find any other complaint.

One of the better programs I attended. Strong affiliations and superb attending. Good in all aspects a little heavier on surgery (good mixture)