Eastern Virginia Medical School

Fellowships: Endo, Female Recon. Lynn Vass Phone: 757.452.3459 Fax: 757.961.4099 vassim@evms.edu

State Code: 
Virginia
Faculty Survey Results: 

Eastern Virginia Medical School Program - Don Lynch, MD, Residency Program Director

Attach to Residency Program: 
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Survey Respondent: 
Don Lynch, MD, Residency Program Director
If you were an applicant, why would you choose to train in your residency program?: 
The EVMS Urology program combines a diverse operative experience with excellent clinical and academic training. Among the three main teaching hospitals (Sentara Hospitals Southside, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, and the US Naval Hospital) we have 21 faculty, 16 of whom are fellowship trained. The faculty is strongly committed to top level resident training, academics, and clinical research. We have two strong fellowship programs - in reconstructive urology and laparoendoscopic surgery - which we feel enhance resident training. Our residents have consistently scored well on the ABU examinations and our graduates have excelled in both the academic and private practice realms. Those interested in fellowship training have secured excellent fellowships and those interested in private practice have been highly sought after by first quality practices. Our residents are treated with respect and seem happy to be here, and that's important to us. Additionally, Tidewater Virginia is a great place to live.
What is your program looking for in a graduating medical student?: 
Character, integrity, industry, collegiality, idealism, intellect, maturity, thoughtfulness, compassion, enthusiasm, and consideration for others.
What part of an application do you consider most important in ranking applicants?: 
Recommendations from other urologists known to us, particularly your school's urology chairman or program director. Academic performance. USMLE scores. Diversity of interests and outside achievements - Eagle Scout, missionary work, community service, military experience. A well-written, concise, thoughtful, and cogent personal statement. Research experience is a plus, but not essential, as are publications.
What advice do you have for medical students hoping to match in Urology?: 
* Find a mentor. Be certain urology is what you want and that our program is the kind of training environment you are seeking. Be both candid and thoughtful in your personal statement. Get meaningful and substantive recommendations from urologists. Study hard and do well on your courses and on your USMLE exams.
* Treat your fellow applicants with respect, and be respectful of the programs with which you interview. Remember that you represent your institution as well as yourself.
* Try to do an outside urology rotation if you have an interest in a particular institution's program. If this isn't possible, a short clinical experience of a week or two may be helpful. That will also give you another urology chairman or program director who can provide some meaningful observations about you to other programs.

Comments

Really strong in reconstructive surgery, my understanding is that interested residents get a lot of exposure. An unusual program since they have 1 AUA and 1 Navy resident per year, which seems to work well. Also a community based program in some sense, although they are starting to ramp up the amount of research that they do.

The chairman is planning to leave in a few years, but there are several faculty members who could step up and fill that position. Dr. Lynch is a delightful person who cares a lot about the residents.

Hours are AMAZINGLY good and the residents seem to come out well-trained. I'm not sure how much autonomy they get since the attendings are all part of a large private practice group and the patients are theirs. Also, no VA.

Location is a plus. Not a big city, but very close to the beach with a big enough population to support culture.

Fellows - Endourology and Female/Reconstruction