Tower Health Program

The Tower Health General Surgery Residency Program is dedicated to training future general and specialist surgeons with a firm emphasis on clinical competence, patient care, and evidence-based methodologies. The program is designed to empower surgeons to provide exceptional patient care through a comprehensive, five-year curriculum.

Mission and Overview

The mission of the Tower Health General Surgery Residency Program revolves around producing skilled surgeons who are capable of delivering high-quality, evidence-based surgical care. The program aims to develop clinical competencies by engaging residents in a wide range of surgical operations and patient management strategies.1

Program Highlights

At the core of the residency program is the recently built Healthplex, which incorporates:

• 24 operating rooms and eight procedure suites for a diverse surgical experience.
• A vigorous emergency department that stands as the busiest in Pennsylvania, providing residents with unparalleled experience.
• Access to leading-edge trauma resuscitation bays.
• A faculty made up of enthusiastic and committed attending surgeons across both general surgery and various subspecialties.
• An array of excellent support staff, including ICU and floor nurses along with ancillary care personnel.
• Engagement in clinical research opportunities starting from the intern year.
• Exposure to minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques throughout the residency.

This combination of educational opportunities and mentoring results in a successful and enriching training environment.1

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum emphasizes a progressive skill development model, wherein residents undergo 57 of the 60 months of training at Reading Hospital. The remaining three months at partner institutions expose residents to Pediatric and Transplant surgery, ensuring a well-rounded experience. Weekly didactic sessions, including formal lectures, a journal club, and morbidity and mortality conferences, provide robust educational support throughout the program.4

Research and Scholarly Activity

The program fosters a culture of academic involvement where residents and faculty actively engage in research spanning clinical and basic science topics, patient safety, and system-based practice. Participation in national and local presentations, along with contributions to abstracts and case reports, is encouraged, providing substantial opportunities for scholarly dissemination.6

Locations and Training Sites

The primary training site for the residency is Reading Hospital, known for its comprehensive surgical care capabilities. The hospital functions as the flagship institution of Tower Health and serves as a tertiary-care center, absorbing transfers from surrounding healthcare facilities. Its affiliation with Drexel University College of Medicine enhances the academic aspect of the residency.5

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The Tower Health General Surgery Residency Program is open to international medical graduates (IMGs) and has a reputation for being favorable towards DO candidates and IMGs. The program offers visa sponsorship for J-1 and H-1B visa types, accommodating foreign graduates looking to further their surgical training in the United States.3

Application Requirements

Prospective residents must submit a complete ERAS application, which includes essential documents such as medical school transcripts, USMLE Step I scores, and at least two letters of recommendation. The program seeks candidates who exhibit strong academic performance and a commitment to surgical excellence. The application deadline is set for November 1, and on-site interviews typically occur from mid-October to late December.2

Resident Community

The residency is comprised of diverse residents from various medical schools, fostering a rich collaborative environment. This collegial atmosphere is conducive to positive interactions among residents, attending physicians, and consulting specialties.5