Program Information - General Surgery Residency

General Surgery Residency Mission Statement

To promote surgical excellence and actively assist our trainees in becoming compassionate proficient surgeons of tomorrow. 

Board eligibility

Upon successful completion of this program graduates will be eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery (both MD and DO graduates). Additionally, DO graduates will also gain eligibility for certification by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery. 

Aims

• We strive to provide an excellent working and learning environment to our surgical trainees in the context of our community-based comprehensive tertiary referral hospital. 

• Our educational objective is to direct learning and self-learning in a supervised environment allowing for gradual and conditional autonomy, and culminating in trainee’s eligibility for the American Board of Surgery.

Curriculum

• Case volumes for general surgery exceed the American Board of Surgery requirements. 

• Outpatient clinic experience at: 

  • Emergency general surgery clinic

  • Surgical oncology clinic

  • Colorectal surgery clinic

  • Katzmann Breast Center

  • Weight Loss & Nutrition Center (bariatric services)

  • Trauma clinic

• Excellent didactic program, including regular: 

  • Grand Rounds, 

  • Morbidity & Mortality conference, 

  • Faculty/Resident Lectures, 

  • Specialty Conferences (Breast, Critical Care, GI, Trauma, Vascular), 

  • Journal Club, 

  • Annual Advances in GI Diseases Conference (in March)

• Resident teaching opportunities through faculty appointment at Des Moines University. 

• Research opportunities available. 

Faculty

• More than 20 passionate, dedicated teachers. 

• Rotations include general surgery, surgical oncology, breast, colorectal, trauma, ICU, vascular, pediatric and cardiothoracic. All available in-house.

Resident Call

• Night float rotation system; 

• PGY 1-5 average 1 night in 6. 

Procedures

Here is an overview of the number of procedures completed by general surgery residents: