University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Program

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix offers a General Surgery Residency Program, known as the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency (PISR), which has a storied history of training surgeons. This program is designed to provide a strong foundation in general surgery and affords residents a wide range of patient care experiences and operative opportunities in both community and academic settings. The program emphasizes training confident, independent, and technically proficient surgeons ready to handle diverse clinical environments, from rural setups to academic centers.

Residents rotate through several key hospitals, including Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix VA Health Care System, Banner Desert Medical Center, and the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. Such rotations offer a breadth of surgical training experiences. The program aims to train well-rounded 'general' general surgeons and has specific tracks, including a newly developed rural categorical track emphasizing rural general surgery exposure.

The program is recognized for its diverse, high-volume surgical training, unique rotation sites, and commitment to resident education, wellness, and leadership development. It hosts a variety of educational resources and activities, including a robust Simulation Curriculum, an Endoscopy Curriculum, and a Robotic Curriculum, designed to enhance technical skills and operative competencies. Furthermore, the integration of wellness initiatives and attention to work-life balance are integral parts of the residency experience.

Applicants to the program must submit their application via ERAS, including a personal statement, curriculum vitae, letters of reference from the surgery family, medical school transcripts, and USMLE Part 1 scores. While USMLE Part II scores are not mandatory for application completion, they are strongly recommended due to their reflection of problem-solving skills vital for surgical trainees. The program offers several categorical and preliminary positions annually. For categorical positions, personal interviews are required, and for preliminary resident applicants, virtual interviews are conducted.

Notably, the program has specified that it currently does not consider applications from foreign medical graduates. Residents are offered a meal stipend and are expected to participate in general surgery practice or pursue fellowships after completing their residency. The program has embraced a comprehensive educational approach, including the development of a rural surgery training track, to meet the evolving needs of surgery practices across different settings.

This overview captures the essence and opportunities provided by the General Surgical Residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, highlighting its commitment to training the next generation of surgeons with an emphasis on diversity, technical proficiency, and well-rounded surgical education.