HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Program

The Surgery Residency Program at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital is designed to provide residents with a robust educational experience that emphasizes early operative exposure and progressive autonomy in a high-volume surgical environment. The program offers comprehensive training across multiple surgical specialties, including general surgery, trauma, surgical oncology, bariatrics, vascular, cardiothoracic, and colorectal surgery.

The program is ACGME-approved for three categorical general surgery residents per year, beginning its first class of PGY1 residents off-cycle in November 2019. The mission is to cultivate the next generation of physicians and physician leaders, and to support their development within a learner-centered and competency-based framework. This supportive environment allows residents to hone their skills effectively and ensures their readiness for independent practice post-graduation 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum is structured around four-week rotation blocks that vary depending on the PGY level. Residents experience a diverse range of rotations, including:

• General Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Orthopedic Trauma
• Transplant Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Hand and Wrist Surgery
• Anesthesia (first-year rotation)
• Emergency Medicine (first-year rotation)

In particular, the rotation structure allows residents to gain experience at multiple facilities, including:

• HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital
• Memorial Hospital

Specific exposure includes varied surgical techniques and high-volume cases with opportunities for specialization in areas like minimally invasive surgery and robotic techniques 1.

Didactics and Scholarly Activities

Residents benefit from dedicated protected educational time twice a week, during which lectures focus on the SCORE curriculum and other essential topics. Each resident is required to engage in scholarly activities, including:

• Completion of one original research project
• Publication of an article or textbook chapter
• Quality improvement projects
• Annual presentations at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Research Day

Each residency year, residents are also encouraged to participate in hospital committees focusing on quality and patient safety, reinforcing their engagement in the healthcare system 1.

Salary and Benefits

The program offers a competitive salary and diverse benefits, providing significant support for residents and their families. Key benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• CorePlus voluntary benefits
• HCA 401(k) plan
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Professional memberships and conference support
• Annual paid leave for vacation (three weeks) and paid time off for other absences

Residents who start their training before their official employment date may also receive up to $1000 for orientation costs, as benefits support further professional development 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Surgery Residency Program is characterized as highly competitive and is considered friendly toward both DO and IMG applicants. Specific application requirements may include a maximum number of failed USMLE Step exams and year of graduation stipulations. Candidates are typically required to demonstrate significant academic performance as well as clinical experience 1.

Visa Support

The program offers visa support and is equipped to sponsor various visa types, which assists international medical graduates in pursuing their residency training opportunities at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. This facet enhances the program's accessibility to a diverse array of candidates seeking a comprehensive surgical training experience 1.

Unique Aspects

Unique features of the residency include a strong emphasis on practice management, healthcare policy, coding/billing, and the business of medicine, integrating these elements into the surgical training curriculum. The program's faculty members are highly engaged, working closely with residents to prepare them not only for clinical responsibilities but also for broader challenges in the healthcare landscape 1.