Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Program

The Rutgers Health/New Jersey Medical School General Surgery Residency Program, led by Program Director Dr. Frank Traupman, offers a comprehensive training experience. This ACGME-accredited program involves 5 years of diverse clinical training spanning across multiple institutions. The program accepts 10 categorical residents annually, along with preliminary PGY-1 and PGY-2 positions. Residents have the opportunity for additional years of research with the potential for advanced degrees. The program focuses on early patient care involvement, emphasizing graded responsibility and supervision.

Training sites include University Hospital in Newark, East Orange Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and Jersey City Medical Center. Rotations cover various surgical specialties like general surgery, trauma, vascular surgery, and thoracic surgery. There is a strong emphasis on surgical critical care and a wide exposure to different patient populations and pathologies.

The educational philosophy stresses lifelong learning, providing a foundation for evidence-based decision-making and advancing surgical skills. The faculty, including Dr. Daniel Jones, Chair of Surgery, and Associate Program Directors Drs. Fariha Sheikh and Franz Smith, are dedicated to resident education and development.

Application to the program is through ERAS, requiring letters of recommendation, personal statement, USMLE scores, CV, and medical school transcript. The program accommodates residents in both categorical and preliminary positions, including foreign medical graduates. The interview process is personalized and extensive, with a focus on resident selection. The program does not sponsor visas but accepts J-1 visas. Foreign medical graduates are encouraged to apply, and U.S. experience is required within five years of medical school graduation.

The clinical rotations are structured to provide a broad-based experience in surgery, covering various specialties. The educational program involves clinical teaching, didactic lectures, and other learning opportunities. Residents have access to resources like simulation labs for skill development, including those needed for FLS, FES, and FUSE certifications.

The program offers a competitive salary structure for house staff, and residents have various outdoor recreational options in the surrounding area. The campus is located in Newark, a city with a rich cultural environment and easy access to outdoor activities, beaches, and attractions in the region.