Program Description
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a classical five-year clinical program in General Surgery. The program accepts ten first-year surgical residents. Five applicants are accepted for the entire five-year categorical program in general surgery.
Our program is under the supervision of the Program Director, Dr. Mark Williams along with Assistant Program Director, Dr. John Kidwell. Our clinical material is broadly based with a mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary care and encompasses a broad spectrum of general surgery, with the majority of the training at University Medical Center and nearby Covenant Medical Center.
Our general surgery residency program, in addition to the clinical opportunities, provides significant support for those interested in research. All of our residents are encouraged to participate in at least one research project during their residency experience. Thus, the main goal of the five-year clinical residency program is broad training with appropriate supervision, teaching and operative experience.
First Residency Year
During the first year the residents are introduced to a comprehensive general surgery curriculum providing the necessary prerequisite for early βhands onβ operative training resulting in most interns completing the year with 100-150 defined category cases as primary surgeon and more than 200 cases total.
Second Residency Year
During the second year, responsibilities increase both operatively and perioperatively. The residents acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become team leaders and competent first responders in the case of severely injured or ill patients. In addition, they are introduced to Pediatric Surgery and Breast.
Third Residency Year
During this year, the residents are team leaders on some of their services and their surgical skills, knowledge and experience make them qualified to perform complex surgery under direct supervision. This is a challenging year as the residents ascend significantly in operative and perioperative responsibilities. Learning supervision of more junior members of the team, delegating tasks and monitoring their completion become key focal points during this crucial year. Since third year residents perform most of the operations, there is heavy emphasis on operative judgement and clinical skills. In addition, residents complete their endoscopy rotation during this year.
Fourth Residency Year
At this level, the residents are very comfortable and competent performing most major surgeries within our specialties under direct supervision, leading a team and being the highest-level resident on call. In addition, residents will do a cardiothoracic surgery rotation.
Fifth Residency Year
During the cumulative fifth year, the chief residents rotate through the General Surgery services running the team, attending to administrative duties, teaching, performing on the average 200-250 major cases and preparing to pass the American Board of Surgery written and oral exams.
Click here to view the schedule example.