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

Program Overview

The HCA Medical City Healthcare UNT-TCU Graduate Medical Education (GME) Consortium offers a dedicated Vascular Surgery Independent Residency Program. Situated in Plano, Texas, this innovative program emphasizes a comprehensive training approach, focusing on developing highly skilled surgeons capable of providing ethical, efficient surgical care. With a commitment to academic excellence and patient-centric values, the program aims to shape future leaders in vascular surgery.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum spans a structured five-year program that provides extensive exposure to various surgical practices. Optimal clinical guidance is provided by seasoned faculty members who foster residents' clinical maturity, judgment, and technical proficiency.

Residents are immersed in diverse clinical settings, primarily at Medical City Plano and Medical City Arlington, while engaging with additional facilities such as Medical City North Hills and Medical City Denton. The wide array of training experiences, including exposure to subspecialties such as pediatric surgery and international operations, enhances surgical education.2

Yearly Breakdown

The residency offers a progressive increase in responsibilities, ensuring that by the completion of the program, residents are well-prepared for independent practice. Some key components of the curriculum include:

• PGY1 to PGY5 training structure emphasizing foundational skills
• Comprehensive workshops and simulation training using advanced technology like FLS and FES simulators
• Formal didactic sessions, including basic science conferences and clinical case discussions

Research Opportunities

The program mandates scholarly activities such as research, quality improvement initiatives, or case reports to satisfy graduation requirements. With a dedicated Director of Research and Education, residents receive guidance to align individual research projects with their interests, nurturing a culture of inquiry within the program.1

Competitive Landscape and Application Requirements

The Vascular Surgery program holds a competitive standing. Candidates are encouraged to demonstrate robust academic performance, particularly in relevant evaluations. The program is accessible to DO and IMG applicants, fostering diversity and inclusivity.

Application specifications may dictate year of graduation and limitations on STEP examination attempts; however, precise details should be reviewed carefully during the application process.1

Visa Support

The program supports candidates requiring visa sponsorship. Primarily, it sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas, facilitating international medical graduates’ participation in the residency.1

Unique Aspects of the Program

The HCA Medical City Plano program prides itself on its collaborative environment where residents are valued as developmental partners in a relatively young residency program. This structure promotes close interactions with faculty and staff and individualized attention to residents, ensuring support for their personal and professional growth. The program emphasizes not only surgical proficiency but a holistic approach to patient care, fostering a strong foundation in community health advocacy.1

Medical City Plano offers a rich clinical landscape with its Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence, robust trauma and burn programs, and a diverse patient population in one of the fastest-growing areas in Texas. This environment equips residents with the experience to manage complex surgical cases effectively.1

Salary and Benefits

Residents enjoy competitive salaries complemented by numerous benefits, including:

• 20 days of paid time off for vacation, personal needs, and sick time
• Professional memberships, conference allowances, and educational expenses
• Provision of laptops and mobile devices to support scholarly activities