Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Program

The Franciscan Health Olympia Fields General Surgery Residency Program, previously known as St. James General Surgery Residency, is an ACGME accredited program that has been training well-rounded surgeons for over 50 years. The program graduates surgeons who are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue fellowship training or practice surgery in various environments.

The program offers a diverse range of rotation sites, including Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, where residents are exposed to operative cases and dedicated rotations in anesthesia and urology. Additional rotation sites include ASCENSIOn Resurrection Medical Center, John H Stroger Cook County Hospital, Lurie Children's Hospital, Advocate Christ Hospital, and Chicago Surgical Clinic.

Didactics are held on Thursday mornings and encompass resident-run lectures, guest lectures, M&Ms, and oral board practice. The program also includes monthly journal clubs, radiology conferences, and emergency medicine conferences to enhance resident education.

Residents receive 20 vacation days annually, along with benefits such as a $3,000 education stipend, ACLS/BLS/ATLS certification, medical, dental, and life insurance, professional liability insurance, and more. The program offers a competitive salary structure ranging from PGY1 to PGY5.

Application requirements for the Franciscan Health Olympia Fields General Surgery Residency Program include the completion of the ERAS standard application, which entails submitting a curriculum vitae, official medical school transcripts, COMLEX and/or USMLE transcripts, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a medical student performance evaluation. Applicants must also be eligible for temporary Illinois medical licensure.

For audition rotations, fourth-year medical students are encouraged to spend four weeks with the program to gain insight into the training environment and interact with residents, attendings, and staff. Application forms and additional information for audition rotations can be obtained from the program.

The Franciscan Health program is committed to supporting applicants' medical education journey and does not sponsor visas for residents and fellows. Residents live in downtown Chicago or nearby suburbs, with an average driving time of 20-30 minutes to rotation sites.

Overall, the Franciscan Health Olympia Fields General Surgery Residency Program offers a comprehensive training experience for aspiring surgeons with a variety of rotation sites, didactic sessions, and support for resident learning and advancement.