University of Michigan Health-West Program

University of Michigan Health-West offers a comprehensive General Surgery Residency Program designed to train residents to become competent, compassionate surgeons while emphasizing lifelong learning and community involvement. The program spans five years and provides extensive surgical education, incorporating a diverse range of skillsets required for successful surgical practice.

Mission Statement

The mission of the General Surgery Residency Program is to prepare residents to be expert clinicians and surgeons. The program emphasizes personal and professional growth, with a strong commitment to community service and the values that contribute to resident satisfaction and self-actualization in both personal and professional realms1.

Curriculum Overview

The General Surgery Residency consists of a detailed curriculum broken down into progressively structured training. Residents rotate through multiple surgical subspecialties to gain hands-on experience. Each year of residency builds on the previous one, offering increasing responsibility and complexity of cases.

PGY-1 Rotations

In the first year, residents complete 24 weeks in general surgery (divided into seven 4-week blocks). Rotational experiences cover an extensive range of areas including:

• General surgery core competencies
• Essential knowledge areas: abdomen, alimentary tract, skin, soft tissues, surgical oncology, trauma, and the vascular system
• Subspecialty rotations in vascular, thoracic, plastic surgery, and surgical oncology

Furthermore, residents are expected to engage in outpatient responsibilities by attending a community clinic. Reading assignments are mandatory, with access to the SCORE curriculum and weekly quizzes to assess knowledge retention1.

PGY-2 through PGY-5 Rotations

The subsequent years involve specialized block rotations, including but not limited to:

• PGY-2: SICU, Trauma, and additional surgical specialties
• PGY-3: Burns, Pediatric surgery, and additional surgical specialties
• PGY-4: Intensive focus on Surgical Oncology and other specialized areas
• PGY-5: Chief residency, comprehensive management of surgical cases across subspecialties

This structured approach aims to produce proficient surgeons proficient in complex cases by the end of residency1.

Training Sites

The primary training hospitals include University of Michigan Health-West and its affiliated hospitals. The program benefits from a robust network of surgical faculty ensuring diverse clinical experiences that contribute to a well-rounded education.

Research Opportunities

The General Surgery Residency also fosters academic growth, encouraging residents to participate in research initiatives. Residents are provided support and access to various research resources, enabling them to advance their academic prowess and contribute to the field of surgery through publication1.

Applications and Interviews

Prospective residents must apply through ERAS and participate in the NRMP Match. The application requires an early submission, and interviews typically occur in December, where applicants can interact with faculty and current residents.

Visa Support

The program generally does not sponsor visas for medical residents. However, exceptions may occur if the institution determines that no U.S. citizens or permanent residents with comparable qualifications are available for the residency position. Hence, applicants should ensure they are eligible for a J1 visa if required1.

Competitiveness and Standards

The General Surgery Residency at University of Michigan Health-West is highly competitive, welcoming graduates from both MD and DO backgrounds. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are also considered, although applicants must ensure their credentials meet university standards. Ideal candidates maintain strong academic performance in USMLE or COMLEX exams, with a limit on the number of attempts allowed for each.1.