OVERVIEW
Our ACGME accredited, five-year training program in general surgery is designed to produce surgeons that have the leadership, knowledge, technical skills and professional standards necessary for a successful career in surgery. Our mission is to provide focused clinical training and research experience with a goal that each chief resident finishes our program as an independent, well-trained surgeon poised to assume a leadership role in an academic or community setting.
The clinical training program curriculum focuses on graded responsibility of the surgical patient. The comprehensive curriculum encompasses both didactic and focused technical instruction provided through regular conferences, open and laparoscopic technical labs, and seminars. Research time is not required, but guaranteed to those interested. Most of our graduates complete fellowships and recent graduates have matched for fellowships in cardiothoracic surgery, endocrine surgery, surgical oncology, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery and vascular surgery. Our chief residents finish with over 1,200 cases and frequently enter the top fellowships and clinical jobs in the country.
THE GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The General Surgery Residency Program provides integrated training in all areas of general surgery through an intensive five-year clinical, didactic and investigative program. The program provides a rigorous, comprehensive experience that is designed to produce the highest caliber surgeon. It is intellectually as well as physically challenging, with high expectations and standards for its trainees.
FIRST YEAR
The R-1 is assigned to general surgery for five to six months and an emergency trauma center for one or two months. Experience in the burn center and in cardiothoracic, pediatric, orthopedic, urologic, and neurologic surgery completes the year. Responsibility focuses on initial evaluation and on pre- and post-operative care. The R-1 assists in operations on his/her patients and performs appropriate operative procedures.
SECOND YEAR
The R-2 concentrates on the fundamentals critical care, with primary responsibility in the ICUs and in an emergency trauma center. Rotations on various other services, such as transplantation, surgical oncology, the surgical consult service and cardiac surgery broaden this experience. The R-2 performs operative procedures appropriate to that level of training.
THIRD YEAR
The R-3 spends the year in general surgery and focuses on advanced laparoscopy and bariatric surgery. A rotation as a senior fellow in medical gastroenterology augments the R-3's knowledge and expertise in upper and lower GI endoscopy. On the trauma surgery services the R-3 first experiences primary responsibility for leading a team under the direction of a chief resident. This leadership role is reinforced on the burns/plastic service and pediatric surgery where the R-3 is the senior resident. The R-3 performs major operations under close supervision.
FOURTH YEAR
After gaining operative experience and surgical maturity during the R-3 year, the R-4 then fine-tunes their knowledge and technical skills in both general surgery and subspecialty services. Rotations on general surgery, transplantation, cardiothoracic surgery, and vascular surgery provide meaningful and rewarding clinical experiences.
FIFTH YEAR
The chief resident year provides major responsibility in patient care, teaching, and administrative areas. S/he performs the most complex operative procedures, supervises the other residents when appropriate, and assumes responsibility for the operative and supportive care of all surgical patients. Chief residents enjoy a significant amount of decision-making latitude, in the context of constant attending staff supervision, and do extensive teaching of students and residents, conduct clinical investigations, and participate in departmental and administrative matters.
ABOUT THE POSITIONS
Currently, the residency has 33 positions at the R-1 level. Seven of the R-1 positions are intended for individuals interested in a full five-year residency in general surgery. Two positions at the R-1, R-2 and R-3 levels are reserved for residents matched into the integrated Plastic-Reconstructive Surgery program. Additionally there are 12 “non-designated” positions for the R1 and R2 years combined. It is expected that the majority of people accepted for these positions will remain for two years for a core experience in general surgery before entering their specialty categorical residency. Appointments are reviewed on a year-to-year basis.
Subspecialty residents in orthopedics, otolaryngology, neurosurgery and urology spend 1-2 years in the program. These residents enter already matched to surgical specialties and rotate for one or two years with the general surgery residents. To a great extent their experiences mirror those of their general surgery colleagues.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
There are outstanding basic science and clinical research opportunities available within the department and the university. Past residents have spent their research years doing cutting edge basic science work, large-scale clinical research projects in conjunction with an MPH, bioinformatics and simulation/robotics research. Any resident who desires to do research has the opportunity. All residents are encouraged to participate in research, either during or immediately following the completion of their clinical training (typically after the completion of the R3 year). Others choose to do research at the end of their five years of uninterrupted clinical training.
ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS
The Department of Surgery offers fully accredited residencies (fellowships) in cardiothoracic, pediatric, plastic and vascular surgery. We also offer burn, trauma/critical care, video-endoscopic and transplant fellowships. We make sure special programs supplement the training of our general surgery residents and do not detract from their general training.
For additional information, visit the Surgery web site.
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PROGRAM DIRECTOR |
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PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR |
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Karen Horvath, MD |
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Gina Coluccio |
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Program Director |
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Program Administrator |
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Surgery |
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Surgery |
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Box 356410 |
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Box 356410 |
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Phone: 206-543-2241 |
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Phone: 206-543-3687 |
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Fax: 206-543-8136 |
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Fax: 206-543-8136 |
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khorvath@u.washington.edu |
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coluccio@u.washington.edu |
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Neil Kline |
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Program Assistant |
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Surgery |
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Box 356410 |
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Phone: 206-221-6642 |
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Fax: 206-543-8136 |
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otter2@u.washington.edu |
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Suzanne Mills |
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Program Coordinator |
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Surgery |
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Box 359796 |
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HMC (7EH-60) |
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Phone: 206-731-3433 |
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Fax: 206-731-3656 |
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smills@u.washington.edu |