After every Match Day, our Residency Program surveys each candidate with a brief series of questions, regardless of the outcome of the interviews and decision. In an effort to constantly improve, we want to know what impressed the candidates and what they found less impressive. The anonymous responses can be insightful in shaping what we choose to highlight during recruitment season.
This year, we decided to get some additional, albeit anecdotal, information on why our interns chose Iowa. With their decision still fresh in their mind, two interns, Drs. Roger Struble and Matthew Soltys, sat down with a camera crew from the Carver College of Medicine. A third intern, Dr. Alissa Kauffman, responded in writing. Thanks to all three for your willingness and your honesty. We’re glad you’re here.
Why did you choose Iowa?
“I liked the program’s environment, which is dedicated to education whilst remaining un-stuffy, as well as the structure of X+Y and the breadth of opportunities available. I wanted a program that focused on producing competent general internists, while also providing strong support for specialization since I know it will take me until the last possible minute to pick a specific career path. Also, the high proportion of time we are allowed to wear scrubs, relatively low cost of living in IA, and having free lunch a lot of days were nice pluses.”
Why did you pursue Internal Medicine?
“It is a haven for the chronically indecisive, with more possible career variety than in any other specialty. I also like the focus on each person as a whole rather than zoning in on a particular part, and the mental entertainment of geeking out about many many different things on a daily basis.”
What have you enjoyed about the Iowa City area? What has surprised you?
“I knew nothing about this place when I moved here for med school, but then really didn’t want to leave after 4 years. It has its own personality and balances small town charm and convenience with (many of) the offerings of a larger city. And now there is a Trader Joe’s.”