OVERVIEW

The Surgical Residency program focuses primarily on the principal areas of general surgery, including: head and neck, skin, soft tissue and breast, alimentary tract, abdomen, endocrine, general vascular, thoracic, pediatric, and trauma surgery. Rotations are structured to provide extensive exposure and experiences in general surgical conditions related to age group, gender and socioeconomic status. Subspecialty rotations in a variety of clinical settings and institutions provide a well-rounded clinical experience.

SURGICAL INTERN (PGY-I)

As a PGY-I surgical intern working under the direction of fellow senior surgical residents and attending staff, your focus will be to develop basic surgical and assessment skills, development of organizational skills and involvement in pre –and postoperative patient care.   Clinical experiences include participation in outpatient clinics, in-patient management, emergency services, daily rounds and operating suite.

SECOND YEAR RESIDENT (PGY-II)

As a PGY-II resident, your responsibilities and expected performance is increased.  During this year, you correlate surgical anatomy, pathology, operative techniques and procedures, starting with initial physical exam and history, guided by the attending staff, you will decide appropriate therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with and develop skills for the proper care of surgical patients in the pre-op, operative, and post-operative phases of care.  Basic operative skill development is taught during this year and residents perform cases consistent with their level of training.    

THIRD YEAR RESIDENT (PGY-III)

Increased surgical experiences, more complex patient evaluations and decision-making are included during your third year.  Rotations begin in other institutions – click here to see rotation section.  PGY-III begins supervising junior residents/interns/students, participate in more complex operative procedures and begin to manage patients in a more independent fashion.   

FOURTH YEAR RESIDENT (PGY-IV)

Attending physicians will oversee your surgical techniques, evaluate your decision-making capabilities and allow you the ability to develop your critical thinking as well as your individual surgical skills. Leadership skills with be taught and emphasized during this year. 

FIFTH YEAR RESIDENT (PGY-V) CHIEF RESIDENT

The focus for the Chief Resident is on developing leadership abilities, mentoring, critical thinking skills, research and professional activities in addition to operating with attending staff on complex surgical cases and management of critical surgical patients in the ICU.  The chief resident is considered the leader and role model of his surgical team.

The Chief Resident is responsible for overseeing the management of all surgical services, including supervision of interns and residents, and in consultation with the attending staff, supervises residents/interns during all major and minor surgical procedures.  The chief coordinates daily rounds, educational conferences and journal clubs.  He/she is responsible for scheduling and insuring adequate surgical coverage for 24hr/7day week basis.

At the conclusion of the residency, he/she can expect to perform approximately 600 surgical procedures, not including supervision of other procedures.