HCA Healthcare Riverside Program

The General Surgery Residency Program at HCA Healthcare Riverside is a fully accredited five-year ACGME clinical program designed to train residents in a diverse and dynamic medical environment. The program is situated at Riverside Community Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center located in downtown Riverside. This setting provides an enriching experience for residents, who engage with a diverse patient population while acquiring essential surgical skills and knowledge.

Applicants to the General Surgery Residency Program must submit an application through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) and only candidates who have passed both Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) are considered eligible. Additionally, candidates must provide three letters of recommendation. The program is highly competitive, welcoming applications from US medical graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs), including those holding DO degrees.

Training and Clinical Rotations

The residency emphasizes hands-on experience, with chief residents averaging over 1,000 surgical cases by the end of their training, significantly exceeding the minimum requirements for graduation. Each resident is provided with opportunities for graduated autonomy under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty members. The curriculum is structured around a series of rotations that cover major surgical subspecialties such as surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), thoracic surgery, and vascular surgery.

The rotation schedule is broken down into distinct phases across the five years:

PGY-1 Rotations

• General Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• MIS/Bariatric Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Trauma/Acute Care Surgery
• Surgical Critical Care

PGY-2 Rotations

• General Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• MIS/Bariatric Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Trauma/Acute Care Surgery
• Burn Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

PGY-3 Rotations

• General Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• MIS/Bariatric Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Transplant Surgery

PGY-4 Rotations

• General Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• MIS/Bariatric Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery

PGY-5 Rotations

• General Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• MIS/Bariatric Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery

Unique Program Features

The residency program at Riverside Community Hospital prides itself on its comprehensive approach to surgical education, which includes a strong focus on robotic surgery. The program is equipped with multiple da Vinci robotic systems and has developed a resident robotic curriculum to enhance learning in minimally invasive techniques.

Residents benefit from a collaborative learning environment, receiving individualized mentorship from faculty dedicated to the development of the next generation of surgical leaders. The program fosters cultural competence and inclusivity, ensuring that residents' educational needs are met and perspectives broadened.

Salary and Benefits

The residency program provides a competitive compensation package. Each resident is allotted $950 for on-call meals. New residents also receive up to $1,000 for orientation expenses if it occurs before the official employment date. In addition to a competitive salary, residents are offered comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life insurance and disability coverage.

Further benefits include participation in the HCA 401(k) Plan, access to employee stock purchase plans, and various wellness programs designed to support residents' overall well-being. Residents enjoy amenities such as free on-site parking, access to a resident lounge, gym facilities, and a simulation center, which are vital for both personal and professional growth.

Visa support is available for international medical graduates, as the program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visa types, which allows qualified candidates from abroad to train in this rigorous residency program.