With now more than half of residency completed, Hanna Kemeny, MD, and Mark Youngblood, MD, PhD, both of whom are in their fourth year of neurosurgical residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, share their thoughts on residency thus far and advice for medical students.
Q: What have been some overarching themes of your residency?
HK: There have been three clear themes for me — the learning never ends, teamwork is essential and the trust that patients and their families place in our teams’ hands remains humbling every single day. While the learning curve is steep in the beginning, what is motivating (though at times can seem daunting!) is that this career lends itself to never-ending learning with new challenges daily. Next, teamwork truly makes the dreamwork. Whether you are in the trauma bay, the intensive care unit or in the operating room, every member of that care team (nurses, techs, residents, attendings, etc.) is integral, and it is critical to work together and support one another. Lastly, while taking care of patients is our “day-to-day,” recognizing the privilege we are given to do so has made an even greater impression on me.
Q: What was the most challenging phase of residency so far and, how did you cope with it?
MY: I’ve noticed different challenges with each phase of residency. As an intern, you are faced with the abrupt transition from medical student to physician, and much of your time is spent learning foundational skills needed for safe patient care. An additional challenge is adapting to the schedule and pace of residency, as well as striking the right balance between work, reading and life outside of the hospital. As a junior resident you have your first experience taking care of patients somewhat independently, as you hold the call pager. This is a huge responsibility, but it is also an important time of growth and learning how to be efficient. During my PGY-4 year, it has been nice to have more time to learn operative skills and consider career plans.
Q: Looking back, what do you think are the most important factors to consider when choosing a residency?
HK: As we’ve been wrapping up our most recent residency interview season, I’ve found myself reflecting on the past three and a half years and I was surprised that in many ways, my hopes for what would make the “best fit” residency program are similar now to back when I interviewed. I was looking for a program that would offer strong clinical/surgical training, mentorship and culture, as well as people with whom I felt that I would succeed. It goes without saying that as neurosurgical residents, it is imperative that we graduate as competent, safe surgeons and clinicians to care for our future patients. Therefore, finding a training program that supports your growth is essential. Mentorship can come in many different forms – whether in clinical, research or personal development, having an opportunity to work with and learn from leaders in your field of interest is invaluable. And lastly, but possibly most importantly, is identifying a program with a culture and peer group that resonates with you. It is no surprise that residency is demanding, but there is something truly special about going through it with colleagues who turn into friends and family.
MY: As an applicant, I don’t think I appreciated how tremendously I would be shaped by the institution where I matched for residency. Seven years is a significant period, and your
rank list must be made based on limited information (which has become even more challenging with COVID restrictions). I think the factors that most important likely depend on the goals and personality of the applicant; however, in all cases, you should find a program that has supportive faculty, opportunities that match your career interests and a close-knit culture among the residents.
Q: How have your views on neurosurgery and career goals changed during junior residency?
MY: It is difficult to understand what neurosurgery is going to be like before you start as a
resident. The first few years can be eye-opening, and I’ve come to appreciate many rewarding aspects of neurosurgery that I did not see as a medical student. Though the hours can be long, I think the relationships you build with patients, and the responsibilities you undertake distinguish our field from any other in medicine. At this point in residency, my career goals have not changed significantly, but it is always possible they will during my elective years.
Q: If you could go back and give yourself advice as an early medical student, what would it be?
HK: Make the time, take the chances and trust your gut! I recall a mentor once sharing with me that as you advance through your career, your responsibilities will only increase, yet the hours in the day remain constant. Therefore, it’s important to create a habit of prioritizing other aspects of life, whether it be exercise, family or friends, early in your career so that these priorities remain. Additionally, reach out and build relationships with people who inspire you – both within and outside of your specialty interest. While it may seem daunting to send that initial email to a potential mentor requesting a few minutes of their time, the connections that can grow from those conversations often last a lifetime. Speaking from personal experience, I will always be indebted to my mentors who donated their time and energy to my development, and I hope to pay it forward.
