Keesler Medical Center Program

Keesler Medical Center General Surgery Residency is distinguished as the only standalone Air Force ACGME-accredited Military General Surgery Residency program. Designed as a community-based 5-year training program, the program does not mandate a research year, although research opportunities are accessible through the Clinical Research Laboratory and at various remote training sites.

The residency encompasses comprehensive training in various facets of General Surgery, with a strong emphasis on General/Trauma Surgery and Critical Care, along with advanced techniques such as Minimally Invasive/Robotic-assisted Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, and endoscopy. The program fosters progressive autonomy and responsibility among its residents, preparing them for excellence in military and civilian surgical careers.

Curriculum and Rotations

The Keesler General Surgery Residency accommodates 20 surgical residents, including four Chief residents and four preliminary interns. The curriculum consists of rotations through several prestigious training sites, ensuring diverse exposure and experience. Core training affiliates include the University of Mississippi Medical Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Brooke Army Medical Center, Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Eglin Air Force Base, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Residents experience a wide array of surgical specialties throughout their training, including:

• PGY 1: (Biloxi VA, Orthopedics, Urology, ENT, Anesthesia, General Surgery, Trauma/Acute Care Surgery)
• PGY 2: (Transplant Surgery, Burn Surgery/BICU, General Surgery, Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Surgical ICU)
• PGY 3: (General Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Transplant Surgery)
• PGY 4: (Vascular Surgery, Trauma/Acute Care, Colorectal Surgery, Elective Surgical Subspecialty)
• PGY 5: (General and Subspecialty Surgery, Trauma/Acute Care Surgery)

Training Facilities

Keesler Medical Center is home to a 60-bed facility featuring a 24-hour physician-staffed emergency department and various surgical capabilities, including six operating rooms equipped with advanced technology like the Siemens Artis Zeego Hybrid Suite and da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical Systems. Additional major training facilities include Sacred Heart Hospital, which is a Trauma Level I/II facility, and Eglin Air Force Base, providing a solid foundation for acute care surgical experience.

Didactic Training

The educational structure at Keesler is robust, employing a model based on the SCORE Portal curriculum. Residents have access to a wealth of resources, including chapters from leading surgical textbooks and a substantial number of multiple-choice questions for self-assessment aligned with the ABSITE and ABS Qualifying Examinations. Furthermore, the program conducts mock oral board sessions during the residents' fourth and fifth years, preparing them thoroughly for their certification exams.

Weekly activities include:

• Wednesday: Protected education time with lectures and discussions
• Friday: Attending Educational Rounds

Compassionate Environment and Support

Keesler Medical Center reinforces a supportive training atmosphere, with dedicated staff who are keen on contributing to the residents' educational growth. The integration into a community-oriented hospital allows interaction with a diverse patient population, enhancing both technical skills and overall medical education.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program supports visa applicants through sponsorship for specific visa types such as J-1 and H-1B visas, allowing international medical graduates and other applicants to participate in this esteemed residency program. The program is regarded as DO and IMG friendly, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants.

Application Requirements

Applicants must meet certain criteria, potentially including a limit on the number of failed STEP exams. Specific years of graduation and other details regarding eligibility requirements play a crucial role in the application process.

Life at Keesler

Residents at Keesler can expect an engaging lifestyle, with recreational and social activities available on the base and in the local community of Biloxi, Mississippi. They receive adequate vacation time, typically consisting of two weeks for PGY-1 residents and three weeks for those in higher years, fostering a well-rounded work-life balance.

The residents are also provided with necessary amenities, including designated workspaces, shared lounges, and call rooms, which contribute to their overall wellness during the demanding lifestyle of surgical training.