Mountain Area Health Education Center Program

The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) General Surgery Residency Program, in collaboration with Mission Hospital, offers a comprehensive five-year curriculum that covers a wide range of surgical rotations. Residents will gain experience in various specialties such as rural hospital surgery, wound care, breast surgery, burn surgery, acute care surgery, pediatric surgery, trauma surgery, vascular surgery, endocrine surgery, minimally invasive surgery, oncology, colorectal surgery, and hepatobiliary and pancreas surgery.

• Program Structure: The program is based at Mission Hospital, a leading healthcare facility with 815 beds, 47 operating rooms, and a new critical care tower. Mission Hospital's emergency department sees 100,000 patient visits annually, with the trauma center admitting 3,400 patients per year. The hospital's surgical team comprises 12 critical care-certified acute care surgeons, 8 subspecialty surgeons, 2 pediatric surgeons, and 5 vascular surgeons.
• Academic Affiliation: The program is located within the NC AHEC Program in Asheville, serving rural communities and focusing on primary care education. MAHEC collaborates with UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC, offering academic health programs in partnership with UNC Chapel Hill.
• Clinical Experiences: Residents engage in various rotations at different sites, including Mission Hospital, VA Medical Center, Haywood Regional Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina Hospitals System. The training sites offer diverse clinical experiences and exposure to different patient populations.
• Research Opportunities: Residents are expected to participate in meaningful research activities as part of UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC. The program emphasizes the importance of research in enhancing surgical knowledge and practice.
• Application Process: Prospective applicants must submit a complete ERAS application, including a CV, personal statement, letters of recommendation, transcripts, exam scores (Step 1 required, Step 2 preferred), and other documentation. The program selects candidates based on their academic credentials, clinical performance, communication skills, and readiness for residency training.
• Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must meet specific qualifications, such as being a graduate of a recognized medical school, passing USMLE Steps 1 and 2 within three attempts, and being eligible to work in the U.S. (including NC resident training license eligibility).
• Visas: The program does not sponsor visas, and applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. (citizen, permanent resident, J1 visa eligible) to participate in the residency program.

For more detailed information or inquiries regarding the residency program, applicants are encouraged to contact the Residency Program Coordinator at [email protected].