Kettering Health Network Program

The Kettering Health General Surgery Residency Program is a 5-year program based in Dayton, Ohio, which aims to produce competent, compassionate, and current osteopathic surgeons. The program is designed to meet the evolving needs of residency training and aims to ensure residents are equipped to handle modern surgical demands.

The Kettering Health General Surgery Residency Program accepts 12 residents per year, divided among different levels of training. The structure includes 3 positions for PGY1, 3 for PGY2, and a total of 6 positions allocated to PGY3, PGY4, and PGY5 combined across the subsequent years. This structure ensures that all residents have the opportunity to gain both breadth and depth of experience throughout their training years 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum emphasizes the development of technical skills, diagnostic competency, and sound medical and surgical judgment throughout various required rotations related to surgical practice. Residents will encounter a variety of specialty areas while also practicing preoperative and postoperative care. The program emphasizes the seven core competencies, which include professionalism, osteopathic principles, medical knowledge, communication and interpersonal skills, practices-based learning, systems-based practice, and patient care, ensuring that surgical education is comprehensive and ethical 1.

Educational Rotations

General Surgery residents train at multiple locations which include:

• Kettering Health Dayton
• Kettering Health Main Campus
• Grant Medical Center (OhioHealth)
• Dayton Children's Hospital
• Miami Valley Hospital
• Ohio State University Hospital

This diverse training environment enables residents to gain interdisciplinary experience. Each resident is also expected to participate in presenting a poster at conferences during their residency, which is a critical networking and professional development component 1.

Research Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to engage in research, and as part of their training, they will utilize simulation labs and provide educational presentations to both peers and faculty. This exposure to research and community initiatives supports the development of future leaders in the surgical field 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Kettering Health General Surgery residency program fosters involvement in quality improvement initiatives and provides residents with opportunities to pursue subspecialty interests. The program's aim is to produce well-rounded surgeons who are adaptable to the needs of the communities they serve, particularly as new health care facilities are established in response to increased patient populations 1.

Visa Support and Application Process

It is important for prospective applicants to note that the Kettering Health Dayton network does not support visa applicants for residency programs. This could impact international medical graduates (IMGs) considering applying to the surgical residency 2.

All candidates are required to complete a Sub-Internship Rotation at the institution and pass the COMLEX and/or USMLE on their first attempt. The program aims to recruit a diverse group of residents and evaluates candidates based on preparedness, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity 1.

Competitiveness of the Program

This residency program is regarded as competitive, and although the program is open to both DOs and MDs, candidates should approach applications with strong academic backgrounds and positive recommendations. The emphasis on first-attempt passing of licensure exams underscores the program's standards for entry and its intent to maintain a high level of care and competency among its residents 2.