About the 91ɫƵ General Surgery Residency Program
What sets us apart?
PGY 1
- 6 week protected curriculum blocks spread throughout the year
PGY 2-5 Weekly Curriculum
- Weekly 2-hour faculty led facilitated discussions using This Week in SCORE (TWIS) curriculum (basis of the ABS CE)
- Weekly readings and quizzes
- After Wednesday M&M/Grand Rounds conferences
- Skills sessions for an additional 2 hours
- Twice monthly for PGY-2s, once monthly for PGY-3s-5s
- Faculty panels on job finding, planning for fellowship, coping with difficult patient outcomes, surgeon financial plannings
- 1-2 cadaver and 1-2 live tissue labs per year for each class including the ACS ASSET and ATOM trauma courses
- Engaged curriculum support staff and faculty who incorporate new resident suggestions each year
The 91ɫƵ General Surgery Residency is proud to feature a comprehensive, multi-phase Robotic Surgery Curriculum. We aim to equip residents with the knowledge and technical acumen to be skilled robotic surgeons upon graduation. Training begins early, soon after intern orientation. Our curriculum consists of the following:
- Dry labs utilizing the full DaVinci robotic platform
- Simulator training modules using the SimNow platform, on a dedicated educational robotic console accessible 24/7 to residents
- Online learning modules
- Case reviews
- Bedside and console cases
- Attending evaluations of bedside and console proficiency
Upon completing these requirements, residents will be able to obtain a Da Vinci Training Equivalency Certificate.
The 91ɫƵ General Surgery Wellness Committee aims to improve the residency experience by facilitating meaningful wellness initiatives grounded in resident interest and feedback. We focus on simple measures that support our residents and can be integrated easily into the complex logistics of residency training. While 'being well' means different things to every individual resident, the Wellness Committee seeks to offer a space for all residents to bring ideas forward that can improve our personal and community wellness culture.
Check out our newly approved General Surgery Parental Wellness Guide! (PDF)
Current Wellness Committee: JP Marquart, Melissa Drezdzon, Erin Buchanan, Nathan Smith, Sam Thalji, Elise Biesboer, Halen Turner, Jennifer Schuh, Hannah Holland, Sarah Suh, Samantha Leonard, Alexa Lisevick, Kaitlyn Sonnentag, Alice Lee
- Bonnie E Chow 1, Alicia Pilarski 2, Julia Schmitt 3, Michael Chris Decker 2, Tavinder Ark 3, Christopher S Davis 4. . J Surg Res. 2022 Sep;277:157-162. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.02.043. Epub 2022 Apr 28.
An optional dedicated research experience is available for residents interested in conducting research under the guidance of an established investigator. Residents have the choice to do 1-2 years of research after their PGY 2 or PGY 3 year.
Research projects can be undertaken in any surgical discipline and across a variety of research methodologies including, but not limited to, basic science, clinical outcomes/trials, surgical education, and quality improvement. Activities during research years include project development and execution as set forth by the resident’s mentor, individualized learning activities, methods-oriented journal clubs, as well as a didactic curriculum focusing on advanced methods and scientific writing.
Specific funded research opportunities are available through the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, select NIH funding applications, and the 91ɫƵ.
The Department of Surgery will support resident travel to national conferences for scientific presentations. Residents will receive financial support to attend up to two conferences every academic year, in which they are presenting a poster or podium abstract.
During the third year of clinical training, residents have the option to select one of seven blocks as an elective rotation. This elective can focus on the individual resident’s preferred interest or to help identify a career track.
Residents interested in Global Health rotations can participate in a 1-month global surgery experience during their elective PGY3 rotation.
Sarah Suh, MD
2024-2025 We Care Research Scholar
Adhitya Ramamurthi, MD
91ɫƵ Cancer Center Fellowship Program
Melissa Drezdzon, MD
91ɫƵAH Research Award
John Marquart, MD
91ɫƵAH Research Award
Benjamin Seadler, MD
91ɫƵAH Research Award
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