University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare (Ocala) Program

The University of Central Florida (UCF) General Surgery Residency Program at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital provides a distinctive and integrated medical education experience that blends university resources with a community-based surgical practice. This innovative setting allows for ample operative opportunities, catering to the diverse and evolving needs of modern surgical training.

The surgery residency program is a five-year ACGME accredited training initiative aimed at cultivating the next generation of skilled, compassionate, and competent surgeons who can operate effectively within various healthcare settings. The program not only places a significant emphasis on surgical education but also prioritizes leadership development, positioning residents to become future leaders in the field of surgery.

Program Overview

The mission of the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital General Surgery Residency Program is to deliver exceptional surgical education through a combination of rigorous training, mentorship, and meaningful clinical experiences. Residents are encouraged to deepen their medical knowledge and improve their patient care skills in an environment that fosters collaboration and inclusivity among diverse cultures and values 1.

Training Sites

The primary training facility for residents is the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, an esteemed institution within the HCA Healthcare network. This facility serves as a Level II Trauma Center and provides residents with exposure to a wide variety of trauma and general surgery cases. The program also encompasses rotations at other prestigious institutions, including HCA Florida North Florida Hospital for elective general surgery and Florida Hospital in Tampa for specialized training in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Pediatric surgery training takes place at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, while transplant surgery experience is offered at the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Such diverse training sites enrich the educational experience and broaden the resident's clinical skill set 2.

Curriculum

The residency is structured into a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses various surgical rotations. A typical schedule includes:

• PGY1: Trauma, Vascular, Pediatric, Emergency General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Acute Care Surgery, and Night Float rotations.
• PGY2: Emergency General Surgery, Trauma, Surgical ICU, Research, Acute Care Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Colorectal, and Minimally Invasive Surgery rotations.
• PGY3: Night Float, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Emergency General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Transplant Surgery and Surgical ICU rotations.
• PGY4: Breast/Endocrine, Vascular, Trauma, Pediatric, Emergency General Surgery, and Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery rotations.
• PGY5: Surgical Oncology, Vascular, Emergency General Surgery, Trauma, and General Surgery in a private practice setting.

This structured training maximizes the volume and diversity of surgical procedures that residents encounter, enabling them to develop proficiency and confidence prior to graduation 3.

Research Opportunities

Research is a vital component of the residency program, with residents gaining access to a range of datasets for conducting clinical studies. The program supports residents in producing research findings worthy of peer-reviewed publication or presentation at national conferences. Mentorship is available, and residents are paired with experienced faculty to guide their research endeavors 1.

Unique Aspects

The program features a strong focus on mentorship with skilled faculty committed to the academic and clinical development of residents. Additional unique components include a robotic surgery training curriculum with a simulation lab featuring the da Vinci system. Furthermore, residents benefit from comprehensive didactic sessions, including core lectures, journal club meetings, and morbidity and mortality conferences. These educational offerings ensure that residents are well-prepared for both clinical and academic excellence 4.

Application Requirements

The general surgery residency program is highly competitive, and specific application requirements are set forth for prospective candidates. Applicants are expected to be graduates of LCME- or AOA-accredited medical schools. International medical graduates are also welcomed, provided they fulfill particular criteria such as passing USMLE Step I and II or COMLEX Step 1 and 2 by the designated timelines. Successful candidates may also receive consideration based on their recent graduation years and cumulative academic performance in medical school 5.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, enabling them to apply for resident positions under J-1 or H-1B visa statuses. This support is crucial for broadening the diversity and inclusivity of the resident cohort, enriching the training environment even further.

Salary and Benefits

Residents are offered a structured salary and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical and dental coverage, paid vacation days, educational leave, and professional liability insurance. The program places significant importance on resident well-being and professional development, fostering an environment conducive to both personal and academic growth 1.