Resident’s Perspective

Top 10 Reasons We Chose to Do our Residency at Highland Hospital

1. The Patients
   Present the rewards and challenges both educational and emotional of caring for a diverse population including a large immigrant population with unique and frequently advanced pathology often not found in the US and an inner-city population with diseases and social issues related to drugs, alcohol, and homelessness as well as the working poor who suffer from the difficulties of being uninsured.
2. The Housestaff
   Are also quite diverse with many backgrounds and lifestyles represented, yet we are united with a strong camaraderie and team spirit.
3. The Attendings
   Are committed equally to teaching and to patient care. They have high expectations both of us and of themselves, but are nonetheless very friendly and approachable. Some are also involved in clinical research and include us in their projects and publications.
4. The Autonomy
   Balanced with supervision; independence is strongly encouraged, but help is readily accessible at all times. Because there are no fellows we get frequent and direct interaction with subspecialty attendings that focus teaching towards the resident level and we get to do more as residents are responsible for all procedures.
5. The Continuity of Care
   With an open ICU patients are followed by the same team from admission to discharge and then are also seen afterward in clinic. The frequent exposure to critical patients de-mystifies the ICU and we see the same disease in various settings thus learning about both the mild & the severe manifestations.
6. The Call Schedule
   Every 6th day call on wards with no overnight call. Only 10-12 nights spent in the hospital as a back-up intern and only 12-14 nights per year as a back-up resident. Only 4 weeks total of night float divided between the PGY2 & 3 years.
7. Electives
   Lend flexibility to schedule so you can focus on your academic needs and interests. Many great rotations available nearby for varied clinical exposure (CPMC, Stanford, UCSF, Kaiser) and we are allowed to do an elective away also.
8. Our Union
   Provides a competitive salary and excellent benefits as well as a patient care fund that we decide how to spend on improving patient care.
9. The Bay Area
   Offers world-class music, dance & art as well as 2 major league baseball & national football league teams, plus many year-round outdoor activities with ocean, mountains & vineyards all a short drive away.
10. Opportunities post residency
    There are many jobs & fellowships available in the area and graduates of the program are well regarded and recruited.