University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Program

The University of Wisconsin General Surgery Residency Program offers both academic and rural tracks. The academic track matches six residents yearly, while the rural track matches one resident each year. Residents receive a rich clinical and operative experience at three diverse hospitals, completing over 1,000 cases throughout residency. The program includes robust didactic and skills/simulation curriculum, two years dedicated to academic/research development, optional global health rotations, and support for diverse research opportunities.

Residents train under the supervision of numerous specialty-trained faculty in various surgical divisions. The residents' longitudinal care emphasizes pre-operative evaluation, in-hospital management, and post-operative care. The program also provides rotations in specialties like pediatric surgery, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery, among others. Two years of dedicated research are integrated for academic development.

Nearly all graduating residents pursue additional fellowship training opportunities, with a significant number pursuing academic careers. The department focuses on training the next generation of academic surgeons, preparing them to become surgical innovators, educators, and leaders. The program aims to provide a comprehensive surgical training experience preparing residents for future success in the field.

Application requirements include submitting a completed application form, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement of interest, medical school transcript, a letter of support from the Dean, and USMLE Scores. The program supports a holistic review of all applications. Interviews are offered to a select number of candidates, with a commitment to transparently reviewing applications and offering interview slots accordingly.

For the rural general surgery residency track, interested applicants should apply through ERAS using the NRPM code 1779440C1. The program director is Dr. Ann P. O'Rourke, MD, MPH, FACS. The hands-on clinical curriculum prepares residents for independent practice in rural settings through diverse training experiences across different practice environments. Residents get exposure to various surgical disciplines, customizable senior clinical curriculum, and specialized mentorship tailored to future community surgical practice.