ECU Health Medical Center/East Carolina University Program

The General Surgery Residency at East Carolina University (ECU) is designed to provide a comprehensive and thorough educational experience at ECU Health Medical Center, a high-volume tertiary care facility. This program is particularly focused on servicing a diverse and largely underserved rural population across 29 counties, offering a full spectrum of surgical care from advanced high-acuity procedures such as ECMO to robotic surgeries.

With an impressive faculty of approximately 40 and a resident cohort of around 30, the program focuses on training not only competent surgeons but also compassionate leaders and patient advocates. The mission of the program is to graduate professional surgeons who can contribute positively to their communities while upholding the institution's aim “to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina” 1.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The General Surgery Residency Program encompasses six years of training, which includes one dedicated year for research and scholarly work, occurring after the third clinical year. This structure provides residents with vital training in research methodology and fosters networking opportunities necessary for a competitive academic career. Opportunities for individualization in training and personal reflection are also significant aspects of this research year, and some residents may opt to pursue advanced degrees such as an MBA or MPH during this time 1.

Residents experience a wide array of clinical rotations that encompass various surgical specialties, including but not limited to general surgery, trauma and critical care, transplantation, pediatric surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and surgical oncology. This extensive exposure aids in developing well-rounded skills required for current surgical practices. The program uniquely offers rural surgery clinical rotations for senior residents, acknowledging the need for surgical care in rural settings 1.

Clinical and Training Sites

The residency program operates primarily out of ECU Health Medical Center, which is a substantial 974-bed hospital. This facility conducts over 27,000 operations annually across 23 main operating rooms, six specialized cardiovascular operating rooms, and eight outpatient SurgiCenter rooms. The operating sites also include advanced resources such as three Da Vinci Xi robots for minimally invasive surgeries and a hybrid operating room designed for complex cardiovascular and neurosurgical procedures 1.

Integration with the Brody School of Medicine facilitates a seamless educational experience, with immediate access to a certified Clinical Simulation Center and outpatient clinics, thus enhancing clinical education opportunities for residents 1.

Research and Global Outreach Opportunities

The program strongly encourages residents to engage in research activities and offers faculty-led global outreach surgical missions. Residents can voluntarily participate in the ECU Global Health Fellowship and Underserved Populations (GHUPP) program, which further drives the initiative to serve underserved communities. Such opportunities not only enhance residents' surgical skills but also allow them to appreciate and address the healthcare needs of diverse populations around the globe 1.

Wellness and Support

The well-being of residents is a priority within the program. The Department Wellness Team implements initiatives focused on resilience, addressing barriers to wellness, and preventing burnout. Activities include an annual wellness forum, a confidential professional coaching visit, and the dissemination of wellness resources including financial health sessions. The supportive environment extends to policies and practices that encourage healthy work-life balance and family leave 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program accepts international medical graduates and provides sponsorship for various visa types, which may include J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating participation for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Generally, the program is considered competitive, with a welcoming attitude toward applicants from DO and IMG backgrounds. While specific application requirements may exist regarding graduation year and prior STEP exam failures, the details can vary and are important to confirm directly during the application process 1.