SUNY Upstate Medical University Program

The General Surgery Residency program at SUNY Upstate Medical University aims to improve community health through education, research, and patient care. The program commits to developing its residents into compassionate and proficient surgeons by offering a comprehensive learning environment and research opportunities.

Key Aspects of the Program:

• Didactic Instruction: Significant changes have been made to the formal didactic curriculum, with Wednesday mornings dedicated as education days for M&M, Grand Rounds, and Core Curriculum activities. The curriculum is aligned with SCORE and incorporates formal simulation curriculum with modules for junior and senior residents, ACLS courses, and a structured curriculum for robotic surgery.

• First Year Experience: The first-year emphasizes surgical diagnosis, pre- and postoperative care, and operative experience, especially at community hospitals. PGY I residents have responsibilities such as evaluating patients in the ER and participating in all service cases.

• Resident Research: The program encourages scholarly activity, offering opportunities for basic or clinical research. It features three basic science research laboratories and supports extramural research at prestigious institutions. Clinical and educational research opportunities are also provided.

• Residency Rotations: The rotations across the five clinical years of the residency program conform to the ACGME specifications. Clinical duties are performed at University Hospital and several community hospitals, offering a broad exposure to different healthcare models and a balanced educational experience.

• Work-life Balance: The program recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal life and has developed a wellness curriculum led by Dr. Jennifer Stanger.

• Selection Criteria and Application Information: The program seeks recent U.S. medical school graduates. All applicants must have graduated within the last five years. Foreign medical graduates need U.S. clinical experience and must be ECFMG certified at the time of application. The program sponsors only J-1 visas.

The program does not specify eligibility based on the year of graduation, maximum failed STEP exam, competitiveness, or DO/IMG friendliness directly. For specific application requirements, candidates are encouraged to submit a comprehensive application through ERAS, emphasizing their medical education journey, work, volunteer, and research experiences.

SUNY Upstate's General Surgery Residency program is committed to enhancing surgical education. By embracing innovation and focusing on resident well-being, it prepares its graduates for successful careers in both academic and private practice settings.