Frequently Asked Questions
What makes St Vincent's special?
"Its people. I rotated at St. Vincent as a medical student and saw how kind residents were to each other. I also found that the attendings were supportive of the residents. The environment was nurturing. After three years I still think so." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“The support you get from the faculty, staff and co-residents. It's kind of overwhelming in the beginning, which is a good thing.” Stephanie Barayuga, 2021 graduate
“Perfect middle ground between academic center and community hospital. Great training and medical care in a friendly and compassionate environment.” Gabe Hocum, 2022 graduate
“The people who work here. I have made lifelong friendships during residency, and love the family-like atmosphere of the program.” Leah Grant, 2021 graduate
“The people. I know the nurses, attendings, consults, most of the time on a first name basis. We easily collaborate together. Joanna Bove, 2022 graduate
What is the ABIM board pass rate for St. Vincent’s?
Our three-year pass rate is 100% from 2020-2022, the second highest for Internal Medicine programs in the Pacific Northwest.
Why did you choose this program for residency?
“Going into interviews I felt confident in my strength as an applicant with good board scores, etc. however I felt that at St. Vincent the faculty were very interested in who I am as a person, which was refreshing and important to me.” (Gabe Hocum, 2022 graduate)
“I felt welcome here on my interview day, and I liked the style of an academic-focused community program with a multitude of resources.” (Leah Grant, 2021 graduate)
“I could tell that people here truly love what they do and the environment is supportive.” Leah Grant, 2021 graduate
“Seemed like a very supportive program/faculty, happy residents, unique ACU structure, and good opportunities for the potential fellowships I am interested in.” Jillian Catral, 2021 graduate
How do you feel about Providence’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
"Providence did a good job at quickly adjusting to new demands. I think partially it anticipated it well. I remember conversations regarding the potential of the pandemic started months before the pandemic itself. As a resident I saw most strain on the ICU and it adjusted by splitting the service into COVID and non COVID service. Residency asked for the volunteers to work with COVID patients. It was not on the mandatory basis. Eventually we all worked with COVID patients, but in the beginning when we had no vaccines, it was good to have a choice." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“I think that we responded quickly in terms of getting universal masking underway. We were given the opportunity to work with COVID patients in the ICU during the first month or so of the pandemic, which was very interesting for me personally.” Joanna Bove, PGY-3
What do you like about clinic?
"It is a continuity clinic - meaning we, as residents, have the panel of patients we manage. We see our own patients throughout the 3 years. This means we are responsible for the in-basket messaging on a daily basis and communications with the consultants. It also helps to see what treatments work and didn't work. In addition, we work with the same MA and mostly with the same attending. Overall, it is a good model and allows us to get a feel of what the outpatient medicine looks like and helps to navigate career choices." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“As a second year who has no intention of going into primary care, I really like our clinic. We don't use the X+Y schedule here, which when I was interviewing, I thought was a red flag but trusted that it must be this way for a reason. Now that I am here, I see the benefit of continuity of care. Even 14 months into the program I have already developed strong relationships with many of my clinic patients. This requires regular follow up which is much more feasible in our system. Overall, we take a slight burden of inconvenience for better quality and more satisfying patient care in our clinic, which to me is worth it.” (Gabe Hocum, 2022 graduate)
“The patients are really nice and very welcoming to new residents. They are invested in your training as much as the program and faculty are. There also a lot of resources that make our clinic run smoothly, which is really helpful.” Stephanie Barayuga, 2021 graduate
What do you like about the wards?
“We have a great and caring hospitalist group that helps us learn the essentials about hospital medicine and efficiency.” PGY-3
“I was not sure what to expect on my first ACU rotation as an intern, but I quickly fell in love with the collaborative effort between all care team members, including the patient themselves, in providing excellent patient-centered care. The detailed teamwork cultivates a unique opportunity to develop professional relationships and leadership skills while delivering evidence-based driven standards of care. It's not uncommon for patients and families to comment on how grateful they are to be a member of their own care team and how truly involved they feel. I have enjoyed ACU rounding even more as a senior resident as I am able to coordinate care while improving the confidence of our junior team members.” Adrianna Morse, PGY-3
What do you like about the ICU?
"We get to know our ICU attendings very well given how much time we spend in the ICU during the training and the fact that there are no fellows. Residents have a lot of opportunities to do procedures. ICU attendings are very supportive and some of our best teachers in residency. I think I saw my biggest growth as a resident after ICU rotations." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“Great attendings, lots of opportunities to do procedures, great nursing staff.” Joanna Bove, 2022 graduate
“Our ICU rotation is one of the best. Although it is a bit intimidating at first you quickly learn that it is an excellent learning environment as you are so well supported. A great bonus of our ICU is that there are no fellows, so when it comes time for procedure you are first in line. I have quickly accumulated a good amount of experience in performing central line placement, intubation, paracentesis, arterial line placement, thoracentesis, and lumbar puncture.” (Gabe Hocum, 2022 graduate)
What is your favorite rotation and why?
"Infectious Diseases - attendings are very interested in teaching and you get to see interesting cases. it is a busy rotation, but I learned a lot. Rheumatology - again, attending is a good teacher, and you can do some procedures. Primary Care Rotation - for one month you are imbedded in the clinic and see primary care cases only. some of them are routine follow ups and some are more urgent care cases. It is a good way to feel if primary care is for you." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“The ICU rotation is my favorite because I enjoy working with our ICU attendings and critical care nurses. As we do not have a fellowship program, the residents have more opportunities to perform and become proficient in procedures.” (Leah Grant, 2021 graduate)
“ICU, get a lot of independence and you get to see a lot of interesting pathology. Furthermore, the ICU nurses are amazing and can teach you anything.” Joanna Bove, 2022 graduate
“Palliative care because you get the chance to really spend time with people at the hardest crossroads of their lives.” Daphne Sy, 2021 graduate
How are residents voices heard?
"We have a meeting with program directors several times a year. a week prior to the meeting there is an email sent by a chief resident asking for topics to discuss during the meeting. those are usually brought up during the meeting and I have seen several changes made after the discussions. In addition, during our review (every 6 months) program director also asks for feedback. That's another way you can bring up topics you want to see changed." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“We have resident meetings every two months with program leadership, and Dr. Leonard listens to our concerns and makes changes if needed. For example, last year we got rid of the 28 hour weekend call on wards after several resident meetings discussing the matter.” (Leah Grant, 2021 graduate)
“We have monthly meetings with our program director. I personally email the program director whenever i have a question or concern, and she always follows-up with a plan.” “Our chief resident(s) are very accessible and willing to support residents.” Joanna Bove, 2022 graduate
“We have regular meetings to discuss wants/needs of the program and have responsive faculty who deeply care about us and the program. All major issues are discussed as a team with residents and faculty and we work together to come up with solutions.” (Gabe Hocum, 2022 graduate)
What do you do when not working?
"Spending time with my family, which includes my almost 3 years old toddler." Tatyana Aleksandrova, 2022 graduate
“I spend a lot of time hanging with my coworkers who are also my best friends. We like to go to out to eat/happy hour. I also liked to go to concerts and movies (pre-COVID) and hiking. This summer I have really liked going to Sandy River and the beach at Vancouver, WA.” (Leah Grant, 2021 graduate)
“Video games, crafts, knitting, crochet, novels.” Daphne Sy, 2021 graduate
“Cooking, hiking, more recently rock climbing.” Jillian Catral, 2021 graduate
What do you like most about living in the PNW?
“Portland and the Pacific NW are a great place to live with something for everyone. Portland is packed with culture including great food, art and music. Personally, I am a big music lover and frequently go to shows at the numerous unique venues in Portland (pre-COVID) and browse the varied record stores. Outside of music and food there is world class outdoor adventures at your fingertip.” (2022 graduate)
“The opportunity to do so many things outdoors, being from Kansas.” (Leah Grant, 2021 graduate)