St Elizabeth's Medical Center Program

The general surgery residency program at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center is a fully accredited surgical training program that prepares residents for certification by the American Board of Surgery. The program offers a comprehensive and diverse educational experience, focusing on a wide range of surgical disciplines. Residents engage in developing innovative procedures despite the demands of clinical and teaching schedules, which promotes the dual goals of excellence in patient care and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Annually, the program accepts seven interns through a rigorous application process. Three categorical residents are admitted into the general surgery program with assurances of promotion each year contingent upon demonstrated clinical and academic excellence. Others may enroll in a one-year preliminary program prior to entering advanced training in surgical sub-specialties. Selection decisions weigh heavily on an applicant's academic record, USMLE scores, letters of recommendation, and performance during personal interviews. Ideally, candidates should possess USMLE step scores of 215 or higher, having passed all required exams on the first attempt, including Step 2 CS, and are typically expected to have graduated from medical school within the last five years.

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum of the surgical residency at St. Elizabeth’s includes extensive rotations through general surgical sections and surgical intensive care units, as well as various surgical sub-specialties. This diverse rotation schedule ensures that residents acquire a broad and adaptable skill set applicable to numerous surgical fields.

Resident Experience

The program emphasizes a collaborative learning environment where personalized mentorship plays a crucial role. Faculty members are dedicated to the professional growth of the residents, ensuring that individual goals are supported and achieved throughout the training. This mentorship fosters an atmosphere of support among residents as they navigate the challenges of surgical training together.

Research Opportunities

Residents actively participate in various research initiatives throughout their training. The program encourages scholarly activities, with past residents logging an average of 1100 operative cases by the end of their fifth year during the last ten graduating classes. Additionally, there is a noteworthy program board pass rate, with recent graduates achieving a 100% pass rate on both the Qualifying Examination (QE) and the Certifying Examination (CE) from 2020 to 2022, reflecting the program's commitment to educational excellence.

Application Process and Special Requirements

Interview invitations are distributed via email and occur from November to January. Selected candidates receive a detailed itinerary along with additional information about the residency program. Applicants must satisfy license requirements and for international applicants, sponsorship of a J-1 visa is mandated. A valid ECFMG certification is also a prerequisite for international students, along with a statement from the Ministry of Health in their country of residence confirming the need for their specialty training.

Salary and Benefits

Residents are offered a competitive salary alongside essential benefits such as three weeks of paid vacation and one week allocated for personal days annually. Additionally, each resident is entitled to 12 sick days each year, underscoring the program's commitment to resident wellbeing.

Visa Support

The program supports J-1 visa sponsorship for international medical graduates. This form of visa is essential for foreign physicians to pursue residency training in the United States, ensuring compliance with educational and training requirements set by the American specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Competitiveness

St. Elizabeth’s medical residency program is recognized as highly competitive. It is generally welcoming to applicants from diverse backgrounds, including international medical graduates (IMGs) and osteopathic medical graduates (DOs), emphasizing a holistic approach to candidate selection based on merit and commitment.

Conclusion

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center's general surgery residency program stands out with its commitment to excellence, robust mentorship, comprehensive training, supportive environment, and opportunities for impactful research, all of which equip residents for successful careers in surgery.