University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (USC/LA General) Program

The University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (USC/LA General) Program in Los Angeles, CA, offers a comprehensive General Surgery Residency Program with a strong emphasis on diverse training experiences. Residents rotate through major training sites, including a public hospital, a tertiary care hospital, a cancer center, a community hospital, and a children's hospital, ensuring exposure to a wide range of cases and techniques.

One of the highlights of the program is the chief resident year, spent predominantly at the Los Angeles General Medical Center, where residents take on significant responsibilities running various surgical services under attending supervision. The program is known for its emphasis on surgical pathology, disease severity, and resident autonomy, helping residents develop into confident clinical leaders.

The program has a dedicated commitment to resident education, with ample financial support provided annually for educational programs. Dr. Vaughn Starnes, the Chair of the Department of Surgery, leads this effort, ensuring a robust curriculum that integrates clinical experience with skills lab, simulation, and didactic instruction.

For residents interested in research, the program offers a flexible research program tailored to individual goals and interests. Residents have access to various research areas and are encouraged to present their research at regional/national meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Application requirements include the standard materials such as a personal statement, letters of recommendation, USMLE transcripts, and more. The program encourages applicants to explore their website and offers virtual interviews this year. Residents receive competitive salaries based on PGY levels, along with benefits like vacation time, housing bonuses, meal stipends, malpractice insurance, and health benefits.

In terms of rotation facilities, residents spend time at various hospitals, including the Los Angeles General Medical Center, Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Kaiser Permanente, West LA.

Overall, the USC/LA General Program stands out for its diverse training opportunities, commitment to resident education, flexibility in research options, and well-rounded curriculum designed to produce competent and confident surgeons. Residents can expect a challenging yet rewarding training experience that prepares them for future leadership roles in surgery.