HCA Medical City Healthcare UNT-TCU GME (Plano) Program

Overview of the General Surgery Residency Program at Medical City Plano

The General Surgery Residency Program at Medical City Plano, part of HCA Healthcare, is a comprehensive five-year program accredited by the ACGME, offering 35 categorical positions. This program strives to produce well-rounded physicians, equipped to deliver compassionate surgical care while promoting lifelong education and professional development.

Mission and Educational Focus

The program's mission focuses on developing future physicians and leaders through a patient-centered curriculum. This involves providing residents with not only clinical and surgical training but also fostering advocacy for disease prevention and promoting public health initiatives. Residents will be trained to manage a diverse patient population, emphasizing the treatment of the whole patient rather than just isolated symptoms. Faculty members are dedicated to mentoring and supporting residents through their journeys, which includes the integration of scholarly activities throughout their training.

Training and Curriculum

The curriculum is robust, featuring a combination of clinical practice, formal instruction, and hands-on training. Key components include:

• Didactic Learning: Continuous formal education including basic science lectures, clinical case conferences, grand rounds, board review sessions, and journal clubs focused on evidence-based practice.
• Clinical Rotations: Residents will rotate through various surgical subspecialties, allowing for extensive exposure to different disease processes and treatment modalities in a collaborative environment.
• Workshops and Simulation: Practical skills such as intubation, central line placement, and ultrasound are covered in workshops, with access to state-of-the-art simulation technology for practicing laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques.

Clinical Experience

The residency program utilizes a collaborative model within the HCA Medical City Healthcare UNT-TCU Graduate Medical Education Consortium. Residents receive hands-on clinical experiences at Medical City Plano, which is recognized for its commitment to nursing excellence and advanced care capabilities, including being a Level I Trauma Center and hosting a Comprehensive Stroke Center and an ABA-verified Burn and Reconstructive Center.

Salary and Benefits

Residents in this program are compensated competitively, with salaries for PGY1 through PGY5 as follows:

• PGY1: $60,736 per year
• PGY2: $62,858 per year
• PGY3: $65,062 per year
• PGY4: $68,307 per year
• PGY5: $71,386 per year

In addition to salary, residents receive a yearly on-call meal stipend and various support benefits such as:

• Professional memberships
• Conference and travel expenses
• Educational resources including laptops or iPads
• 20 days of paid time off for vacation, personal needs, or sick time.

Research Opportunities

Residents are expected to engage in scholarly activities that may include research and quality improvement projects, with support from a designated Director of Research and Education and core faculty members who have a strong interest in these areas. Various forms of research output are necessary for graduation, fostering a critical understanding of surgical literature and practices.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The residency program is described as being friendly towards osteopathic students (DO) and International Medical Graduates (IMG), maintaining a competitive position while being inclusive. Specific application requirements may include limitations on failed STEP exam attempts and graduation years, although further details on standard thresholds are noted.

Visa Sponsorship

The General Surgery Residency Program provides visa sponsorship for candidates requiring work authorization, facilitating opportunities for both U.S. and international applicants. Details about specific visa types can be confirmed during the application process. HCA Healthcare’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its policies, making the program more accessible to a broader range of applicants.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program differentiates itself with its young, dynamic environment where residents have the opportunity to contribute to the development of curriculums and practices in collaboration with highly accessible administrative and faculty members. Close mentorship during residency ensures that each physician does not feel lost in a large system, emphasizing individual relationships and success.

Furthermore, as an up-and-coming training site, residents have a unique chance to shape the residency experience, integrating feedback to continuously adapt and improve the educational offering, which may enhance professional satisfaction and training outcomes.

Overall, the General Surgery Residency Program at Medical City Plano aims to equip residents with the necessary skills and experiences to excel in their surgical careers or further fellowship training, in a supportive and instructive environment.