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Department of Surgery

Residency/Fellowship Programs

 

Goals and Objectives

 

It is the intent of this five-year training program to develop competent general surgeons. Surgeons completing the program will be eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery with an ultimate goal of a 100% pass rate on both the qualifying and the certifying examinations.

 

In order to attain this goal, the program requires residents to develop the following competencies:

  1. A solid fund of basic and clinical knowledge of general surgery.
  2. The ability to provide compassionate and effective care to all patients.
  3. The ability to perform general surgical procedures safely and effectively.
  4. The exercise of clinical judgment to critically select the appropriate course of action in the management of patients.
  5. The capacity to communicate effectively with all healthcare personnel and with patients
  6. A clear sense of responsibility in carrying out all administrative duties required in the surgical profession.
  7. The constant pursuit of improvement in patient care practices by systematic evaluation of current practices in relation to outcomes and to new scientific knowledge.
  8. An awareness of the underpinnings of the health care system and the dilemmas of practicing cost-effective healthcare.

Residents are expected to develop these elements of clinical competence by assimilating the teaching provided by the faculty, by maintaining an active reading plan on surgical sciences, by practicing surgical skills, and by attending the educational activities offered by the residency program. During the five years of training, each of the above elements of clinical competence is periodically assessed by direct faculty supervision and by senior resident colleagues with subsequent review by the Program Director. Reappointment and promotion to the subsequent year of training require a satisfactory progression in the development of these elements of clinical competence.

 

The educational program of the residency is designed to meet specific goals, knowledge and skills at each level of training as outlined in the following table.

 

PGY

Level
Knowledge
Skills
I

Pre- and post-operative management in the in- and out-patient setting


Pathophysiology of vital organ systems


Surgical pathology


Cost-effectiveness in surgery

Basic surgical skills: establishment of central venous access, tube thoracostomy, tissue handling and dissection, abdominal wall closure, anal fissure fistula and hemorrhoid, breast biopsy, pediatric surgery


2nd assisting in major surgical procedures


Essential endoscopic and laparoscopic skills
II

Management of critically ill surgical patients and trauma victims


Support of vital organ systems


Surgical anatomy


Technique of minor surgical procedures


Research opportunities

Operative skills in the establishment of enteral access and surgical airways, hemodynamic invasive monitoring


Hernia surgery


Appendectomy


Trauma: exploration of extrathoracic and extraperitoneal wounds


2nd assisting in major surgical procedures


Basic laparoscopy and endoscopy
III

Decision making on diagnosis of surgical pathologies and of postoperative complications


Critical analysis of scientific literature


Technique of major surgical procedures


Subspecialty training

Operative skills in performing:


Biliary surgery: cholecystectomy


Gastrointestinal: enterolysis and enterectomy, bowel anastomosis


Colorectal procedures: partial colectomy, prolapse, sphincteric surgery


Vascular surgery: AV fistulas and shunts


Trauma: exploratory laparotomy and repair of injured viscus, splenectomy


Surgical oncology: head & neck, breast, gynecological, gastrointestinal


Leading the resident team
IV

Decision making on indications for surgery, triaging and management of trauma victims


Options of surgical procedures and selection criteria


Settings of surgical practice

Operative skills in performing:


Transplantation: kidney and liver harvest and transplant


Cardiothoracic: open heart surgery, lung resection, cardiac and lung transplantation


Vascular: aortic, carotid and extremity arterial surgery


Trauma: thoracotomy, neck exploration, repair of vascular injury


Advanced laparoscopy


1st assistant


Leading the resident team
V

Decision making on execution of surgical procedures


Management of the outpatient office


Health care systems

Operative skills in performing:


Biliopancreatic: bile duct surgery, pancreatectomy


Colorectal: total colectomy, proctectomy and sphincter saving surgery


Esophageal: funduplication, esophagectomy, myotomy, repair of laceration


Endocrine: thyroidectomy, parathyrodectomy, adrenalectomy


Liver: hepatectomy


Teaching assistant


Leading the resident team


Administrative responsibilities