UPMC Medical Education Program

The UPMC in Central Pennsylvania's five-year General Surgery Residency Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and offers a comprehensive hands-on surgical education, preparing graduates for board certification by the American Board of Surgery. The program prioritizes critical surgical skills, practical training, and advanced didactic activities provided by an exceptional faculty within a supportive learning environment located in Harrisburg, Central Pennsylvania.

Application Requirements

To apply for this General Surgery Residency Program, applicants must meet several key prerequisites: applicants need to have graduated from a recognized medical school within the last five years, passed USMLE exams on the first attempt, and have a minimum of one year of medical experience in the United States, not including research. Additionally, applicants must present a valid ECFMG certification, demonstrate proficient communication skills, maintain high ethical standards, and complete a successful interview with the residency faculty. There is an expectation to qualify for a Pennsylvania training license and to submit three letters of recommendation. Notably, it is required that applications be submitted exclusively through ERAS; both email and fax applications are not accepted. The program does not offer visa sponsorship for international medical graduates.1

Curriculum and Rotations

The curriculum for residents is carefully structured, ensuring exposure to a diverse range of surgical procedures through a variety of clinical rotations. During the first year, residents will rotate through general surgery at UPMC Harrisburg and other community locations, providing foundational training in surgical practices. The rotations progress, with later years seeing exposure to trauma, pediatric surgery, surgical oncology, and elective rotations at distinguished institutions, including Penn State Health and the University of Maryland Medical Center. Throughout the five years of training, residents will also undergo intensive training in surgical intensive care and specialized fields such as ENT and vascular surgery.4

Clinical Rotations Breakdown

• PGY-1: General Surgery, Surgical ICU
• PGY-2: Trauma/Emergency Surgery, Surgical ICU.
• PGY-3: Surgical Oncology, Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Intensive Care with elective rotations.
• PGY-4: Advanced general surgery procedures with a focus on trauma.
• PGY-5: Leadership roles in surgical practice.

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Surgical Skills Lab

The program features a state-of-the-art Surgical Skills Lab designed to provide a comprehensive and risk-free environment for resident training. The lab allows residents to engage in hands-on simulations that facilitate skill mastery before applying techniques in clinical settings. Core components of the skills curriculum encompass fundamental laparoscopic techniques, endoscopic surgery, and advanced procedural training, including vascular anastomosis, emergency airway management, and robotic surgical techniques.78

Research and Scholarly Activity

In addition to clinical training, the program emphasizes research and academic development. Residents are encouraged to engage in clinical and laboratory research, with support provided through institutional resources, including full-time statistician assistance and access to medical librarians. Opportunities for presenting research findings at local and national conferences are actively promoted, allowing residents to enhance their academic profiles.

Past residents have successfully contributed to a range of scholarly activities, underscoring the program's dedication to fostering an environment of inquiry and learning.9

Graduate Success

The UPMC in Central Pennsylvania General Surgery Residency Program boasts a strong track record of graduates pursuing competitive fellowship opportunities in various surgical specialties, such as cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery, and vascular surgery. This success is indicative of the comprehensive training and clinical exposure residents receive throughout the program.10

Competitiveness and Diversity

The program maintains a competitive selection process and is open to candidates from diverse backgrounds including DO and IMG applicants, aiming to attract a well-rounded cohort of future surgeons. All applicants are assessed on their individual merits, and the program values ethical standards and relevant medical experience as part of its holistic evaluation of candidates.3

Visa Policies

Regarding international candidates, it is important to note that the program does not sponsor visas. Therefore, applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must consider their visa eligibility as part of their application strategy.