Maimonides Medical Center Program

Welcome to the General Surgery Residency Program at Maimonides Medical Center, renowned for its excellence in surgical education and patient care. The program prides itself on fostering a family-like environment, where faculty and residents collaborate seamlessly, especially evident during the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. This teamwork enhances the program's mission to train proficient and compassionate surgeons who deliver high-quality care.

The Maimonides residency offers a wide range of surgical experiences across various specialties, including colorectal, breast, ENT, pediatric, bariatric, vascular, thoracic, and surgical oncology. The program boasts unmatched case volume and operative variety, thereby providing residents with substantial hands-on experience which is critical for their development as surgeons 1.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to encompass a broad spectrum of surgical education. Residents partake in weekly grand rounds featuring nationally renowned speakers, discuss current literature in trauma and surgical critical care, and engage in multidisciplinary conferences that promote coordinated patient management. The curriculum meticulously follows the SCORE guidelines and is complemented by a robust simulation program aimed at developing essential technical skills, ranging from basic suturing to advanced laparoscopic techniques 1.

Maimonides is a certified center for Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) and one of the few to offer Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) assessments in the New York area. The program also provides biannual mock oral examinations to prepare residents thoroughly for the American Board of Surgery certifying exams, further enhancing their readiness and confidence 1.

Rotations and Training Sites

Residents rotate through various specialties within the surgery department, gaining diverse and comprehensive training experience. The surrounding culturally rich communities of Brooklyn contribute greatly to the residents' learning experience, allowing them to encounter a plethora of clinical cases. The program also offers opportunities for clinical research, including a unique one-year funded position at Oxford University, enabling participants to contribute to impactful research during their residency 1.

Research Opportunities

The emphasis on research is pronounced, with monthly research meetings, access to mentors, and resident interest groups dedicated to enhancing academic performance. This environment cultivates a healthy arena for residents to pursue scholarly activities, further improving their surgical expertise and academic credentials 1.

Visa Support and Requirements

The Maimonides Medical Center Surgery Residency Program sponsors H1B and J1 visas as necessary. To facilitate timely visa processing, it is critical for candidates to take the Step III exam before the match date. This requirement ensures that there are no delays in securing the necessary paperwork for a July 1st start date 1.

Competitiveness and Application Process

The program is competitive and welcomes applications from both DO and international medical graduates (IMGs), showcasing a commitment to diversity. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and achieve a preferred score of at least 220 in Step I and Step II, ideally on the first attempt. It is important to note that previous U.S. clinical experience is not a requirement for applicants 1.

Eligibility for the program requires candidates to apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), with applications being accepted until November 15th, contingent on available positions. The program offers five categorical and three preliminary positions, with only the categorical positions being eligible for a research year. Candidates with more recent graduation dates are given priority in the selection process 1.