Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Program

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Program in Surgery provides an ACGME accredited residency training focused on producing well-rounded surgeons with a comprehensive clinical experience. The program boasts over 50 years of history in providing high-quality surgical training, equipping graduates with the skills necessary for either private practice or further fellowship training.

General Overview

The program offers its residents a mix of academic rigor and diverse clinical exposure. Residents engage in a rigorous surgical curriculum where they perform and assist in numerous surgical procedures across various specialties, including general surgery, urology, and anesthesia.

Application Process and Requirements

Annually, the program matches three applicants through the AAMC ERAS system. The application process requires the completion of the ERAS common application form, which includes a curriculum vitae, official medical school transcripts, COMLEX and/or USMLE scores, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and a Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). Additionally, applicants must be eligible for temporary Illinois medical licensure. It is important to note that the program does not sponsor visas for residents.

For the current ERAS cycle, the program encourages all applicants to complete a supplemental ERAS application to facilitate a more insightful review of each applicant's qualifications and fit within the program. Rotation applications require clinical affiliation agreements between the applicant's school and Franciscan Health, ensuring adequate preparation is adhered to with applications needing to be submitted at least 45 days in advance.

Residency Training and Didactics

Resident education is a priority at the program, with didactic sessions scheduled every Thursday morning, allowing for protected learning time. Training includes resident-run lectures, guest lectures, and opportunities for practicing oral board skills. The program incorporates the SCORE curriculum into its academic programming to maintain high educational standards.

Journal clubs also form an essential part of the training, providing a platform for residents to critically evaluate current literature with the aim of enhancing their clinical practice and understanding of recent advancements in surgery. Monthly conferences with radiology and emergency medicine allow residents to engage with their peers across multiple disciplines and further develop their clinical acumen.

Rotation Sites and Clinical Experience

Residents benefit from training at various sites, each offering unique experiences. Key locations include:

• Franciscan Health, Olympia Fields: The primary site for operative cases, housing significant rotation opportunities across general surgery and ancillary services.
• Ascension Resurrection Medical Center: A busy community hospital representing a different patient demographic, enhancing diversity in surgical training.
• John H. Stroger, Cook County Hospital: Providing exposure to trauma and burn surgery, partnering with residents from various Chicago programs to foster collaborative learning.
• Lurie Children’s Hospital: Primarily for pediatric surgery rotations in conjunction with Northwestern medical residents.
• Advocate Christ Hospital: Focused on transplant surgery experiences, allowing for exposure to different types of surgeries and patient populations.
• Chicago Surgical Clinic: Renowned for endoscopy and plastic surgery.

Resident Life and Support

The program offers 20 vacation days for residents, alongside a competitive salary structure ranging from $62,184 for PGY1 to $72,892 for PGY5. Residents are also allocated a $3,000 annual education stipend for conferences and educational resources. Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance, as well as professional liability coverage.

Visa support is not available as the program does not sponsor visas for applicants. The program is relatively competitive, though specifics about the acceptance ratio and applicant criteria beyond those specified remain essential knowledge for prospective residents.