HCA Florida Healthcare/Kendall Hospital Program

The General Surgery Residency Program at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital is established to deliver exceptional training and education specifically tailored for residents. The program emphasizes significant hands-on experience under the mentorship of accomplished surgeons dedicated to promoting residents' growth and professional success 1.

Mission Statement

The primary mission of the program is to cultivate future physicians and healthcare leaders. Aligned with the overarching mission of HCA Healthcare, which prioritizes the care and improvement of human life, this program creates a rewarding educational atmosphere that encourages individualized learning opportunities. Faculty and staff are supportive, ensuring that residents' educational needs and clinical experiences are met while fostering inclusive perspectives inclusive of diverse cultures and values 1.

Program Structure

The residency is a community-based, university-affiliated program, primarily conducted at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital with collaborative training at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), allotting 25 categorical and six preliminary positions available at various PGY levels. Specifically, the distribution of categorical and preliminary positions is:

• PGY-1: 5 categorical, 6 preliminary
• PGY-2: 5 categorical
• PGY-3: 5 categorical
• PGY-4: 5 categorical
• PGY-5: 5 categorical

This structure supports a full spectrum of surgical training 1.

Curriculum Overview

The residency spans 60 months, requiring residents to engage in a minimum of 54 months of clinical assignments within the surgical discipline. The curriculum includes exposure to various essential surgical specialties, including emergency care and surgical critical care. Training is divided distinctly across PGY levels, ensuring comprehensive exposure across varied surgical experiences:

• PGY-1: Intensive Care Unit (2 months), Acute Care Surgery (2 months), General Surgery (3 months), Vascular Surgery (1 month), Burn/Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (1 month), Trauma (1 month), Surgical Oncology (2 months).
• PGY-2: Intensive Care Unit (2 months), Acute Care Surgery (2 months), General Surgery (2 months), Burn/Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (2 months), Surgical Oncology (4 months).
• PGY-3: Acute Care Surgery (2 months), General Surgery (1 month), Vascular (2 months), Trauma (2 months), Colon (2 months), Surgical Oncology (3 months).
• PGY-4: General Surgery (5 months), Vascular (1 month), Pediatric (3 months), Transplant (1 month), Surgical Oncology (2 months).
• PGY-5: Acute Care Surgery (3 months), General Surgery (6 months), Surgical Oncology (3 months).

Residents also participate in the yearly ABSITE (American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination), an essential assessment tool 2.

Benefits and Salary

The compensation structure for residents includes a competitive salary with additional allowances for on-call meals. The academic year 2024-2025 presents the following salary guidelines:

• PGY-1: $61,318 + $950 = $62,218
• PGY-2: $63,461 + $950 = $64,411
• PGY-3: $65,686 + $950 = $66,636
• PGY-4: $68,973 + $950 = $69,923
• PGY-5: $72,072 + $950 = $73,022

In addition to competitive salaries, the program provides health and disability insurance from day one, an educational allowance per GME policy, professional conference attendance, and paid courses for BLS/ACLS/PALS/ATLS, as required by the program 1.

Application Process and Competitiveness

The program is open to International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and requires specific application materials, including the Step 2 CK results submitted by February 1st for ranking purposes. The application deadline is December 1st. Given its structure and support elements, the program not only focuses on a high level of competitiveness but aims to foster a welcoming environment for IMGs and DO graduates 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

HCA Florida Kendall Hospital's program distinguishes itself by being a relatively new and smaller training program. This unique character facilitates close collaboration between residents and faculty. The administration prioritizes responsiveness to feedback, seeking to create an enriching educational environment where each resident is recognized as an individual. The emphasis on personal development and collegial relationships is a hallmark of the program 1.