Detroit Medical Center Program

The Sinai-Grace General Surgery Residency at the Detroit Medical Center is a robust program that offers extensive training in surgical principles, techniques, and patient care. The program accepts three new residents each year and is closely affiliated with Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, creating a collaborative and educationally rich environment. The majority of residency training occurs at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, with rotations at several nearby affiliated institutions to enhance the breadth of clinical experience.

Curriculum Overview

The educational curriculum is structured to ensure comprehensive training across various surgical disciplines. Key elements of the curriculum include:

• Weekly attending-led didactic sessions every Wednesday, adhering to the SCORE curriculum, from 6:30 am to 8:30 am.
• Morbidity and Mortality Conferences and Grand Rounds are held every Thursday from 7:30 am to 9:00 am.
• Regular training on the Da Vinci surgical robot, enriching the resident's minimally invasive surgery skills.
• Monthly structured educational opportunities such as Grand Rounds coordinated by Michigan State University, monthly suture clinics for first-year interns, and a surgical anatomy and dissection course.
• Certification courses in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) provided by the program.

Rotations and Clinical Experience

The rotation structure is designed to provide residents with a diverse range of clinical experiences that build proficiency and confidence in surgical practice. Rotations are conducted across various specialties and progressively increase in responsibility over five years:

• PGY I: Basic surgical skills and inpatient care experience.
• PGY II-III: Increasing responsibility in surgical procedures, trauma care, and subspecialty rotations.
• PGY IV: Leadership roles during critical care, complex surgical cases.
• PGY V: Chief resident responsibilities including overseeing junior residents, demonstrating advanced surgical skills, and contributing to surgical education.

Research Opportunities

Residents are strongly encouraged to engage in research and scholarly activities. The program provides access to research resources and opportunities to publish and present findings at national conferences. This involvement is crucial in fostering an academic mindset and contributing to the field of surgery.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Sinai-Grace General Surgery Residency Program offers several unique features:

• Emphasis on resident-led initiatives such as weekly surgical clinics where residents actively manage patient care under supervision.
• The program nurtures a supportive learning environment facilitated by board-certified attendings who are committed to teaching and mentorship.
• Web of collaboration exists through affiliations with multiple hospitals, ensuring residents receive a well-rounded training experience.

Application Requirements

Applicants should take note of specific requirements:

• Must have passed the COMLEX USA or USMLE Step 1 and 2 prior to application.
• COMLEX USA or USMLE Step 3 must be completed before entering the PGY III year.
• Participation in a rotation with the program is encouraged but not mandatory for application consideration.
• Nicotine testing is mandatory for all newly hired residents at the Detroit Medical Center due to workplace policies.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports J-1 visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates. It does not sponsor H-1B visas, which is an important consideration for international applicants.

Competitiveness

The Sinai-Grace General Surgery Residency is regarded as a highly competitive program, welcoming applications from both DO and MD candidates. The program fosters inclusivity toward international medical graduates, making it an excellent choice for a diverse applicant pool.