New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus) Program

The General Surgery Residency Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian is structured to develop highly skilled surgeons capable of delivering outstanding care while also emphasizing education and research throughout their training. The program focuses on the dual goals of technical proficiency and academic excellence which are essential in producing future leaders in surgical science.

Curriculum Overview

The residency is structured into five years, starting with the PGY 1 & 2 years, where junior residents gain a foundational experience in the primary care of surgical patients. These junior residents are directly involved in the preoperative and postoperative stages of patient care, under the supervision of more senior residents and attending physicians. The rotations include diverse surgical specialties such as general surgery, trauma, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgery, among others. Significant operative experience is emphasized, thereby fostering a rich learning environment for junior residents 1.

In PGY 3, residents develop advanced surgical judgment and operate with increased autonomy, supervising junior staff and engaging in elective and emergency surgeries. As they progress to PGY 4 and 5, chief residents hone their surgical skills while also taking on instructional and administrative responsibilities, enhancing their leadership capabilities 3.

Research Training

The program underscores the importance of research, requiring all surgical residents to engage in a two-year research fellowship. This experience allows them to delve into various fields from basic to clinical research, ensuring they acquire essential research skills under experienced mentors. Residents are encouraged to align their research interests with available opportunities that include not only in-house projects but also esteemed research fellowships at institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 4.

Residents present their findings at various conferences and can also pursue specialized degrees, further enriching their research acumen through established curriculum pathways 5.

Simulation Training

The program includes a thorough simulation training component, which operates in the Skills Acquisition and Innovation Laboratory (SAIL). This facility provides an array of training modules focusing on essential surgical skills and procedures, ensuring residents achieve competency before engaging directly with patients. Furthermore, the simulation program integrates performance assessments at regular intervals, ensuring that residents continually enhance their technical skills in a supportive environment 6.

Living Arrangements

Residents have convenient access to hospital-owned housing situated directly across from the medical center. The modern and affordable apartments are located in a prime residential area near Central Park and various amenities, providing an ideal living situation for residents during their training 7.

Benefits and Visa Support

The residency program provides a competitive benefits package inclusive of health coverage and professional development opportunities. For international medical graduates, the program has the capacity to sponsor visas such as the J-1 exchange visitor visa and H-1B work visa, facilitating access for qualified candidates globally 2.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The General Surgery Residency Program at Weill Cornell Medicine is considered highly competitive. The program welcomes applications from both U.S. medical graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs), with an emphasis on building diversity within its cohort. While there are no explicit restrictions regarding years of graduation from medical school, candidates are typically evaluated comprehensively based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, and interview performance, ensuring a holistic consideration in the selection process.