Give Now

Curriculum

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Schools, Institutes, Centers & Departments
  4. Surgery
  5. Residencies
  6. Surgery Residency
  7. Curriculum

The overall goal of the residency program, which consists of five or more years of general surgery residency, is to train sound, clinical surgeons able to function independently and/or pursue specialized training. Additionally, the program seeks to prepare residents for board certification. Upon completion of training, the resident will be able to:

  • Make sound ethical and legal judgments appropriate for a qualified surgeon
  • Manage surgical disorders based on a thorough knowledge of basic and clinical science
  • Utilize appropriate skills in those surgical techniques required of a competent surgeon
  • Use critical thinking when making decisions that affect patients' life and that of their family
  • Collaborate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare professionals
  • Teach and share knowledge with colleagues, residents, students and other healthcare providers
  • Educate patients and their families about the patient's health needs
  • Demonstrate commitment to scholarly pursuits through conducting and evaluating research
  • Provide cost-effective care to surgical patients and their families
  • Value lifelong learning as a necessary prerequisite to maintaining surgical knowledge and skill

Learning activities

We offer numerous weekly, monthly and quarterly learning activities for residents. These include:

  • Presentations by full-time and community faculty, as well as faculty from other institutions. Such lectures often include content that provides a multidisciplinary approach to surgical patient care.
  • Held one to two times per month for one hour.
  • Case presentations that provide a multidisciplinary approach to patient treatment and management of surgical oncology patients.
  • Held once per month for one hour.
  • Case presentations that discuss complications and causes of death in patients admitted to the surgical teaching services
  • Held weekly for one hour
  • Case presentations encompassing all aspects of surgical knowledge necessary for independent practice. Faculty preside over the assigned residents who provide case presentations. Such presentations include basic science background and clinical care and are based heavily on the SCORE curriculum.
  • Held two to three times per month for one hour.
  • Junior residents receive didactic and experiential training in colonoscopy and basic laparoscopic procedures.
  • Residents, upon receiving initial instruction, are encouraged to practice on their off hours and/or during any periods of "downtime."
  • Residents receive timed trials that are recorded to evaluate resident progress.
  • Senior residents will receive instruction, training and practice on the MIST-VR simulator, the Colonoscopy trainer and the formal Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery certification and Fundamentals of Endoscopy curriculum.
  • Visiting professors are scheduled approximately 3-4 times per year. The visiting professor typically presents at Friday Grand Rounds.
  • Chief residents are assigned two journal clubs per year. In conjunction with the assigned faculty member, four journal articles are selected for discussion of current patient management trends and new operative procedures. This forum provides residents with the ability to critically review journal articles as they relate to research design, methodology, statistics and implications for patient treatment.
  • Held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.
  • A lecture and simulation series provided to interns at the beginning of the year to cover common surgical procedures.

Research

Scientific Forum

EVMS Surgery holds its annual Scientific Forum in June. PGY-3, PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents are required to present research resulting from a clinical or basic science project.

First and second-year residents are encouraged to present, although not required to do so. Categorical and preliminary residents are required to attend. The Scientific Forum culminates in the Resident Award Banquet held at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club. Prizes are awarded for outstanding papers.

Research experience

EVMS' Surgery Residency offers a one- to two-year research experience for interested residents. This experience is available to residents who display an avid interest in research consistent with their career goals.

The one- to two-year research experience is performed upon completion of the PGY-2 year. During this experience, residents maintain close contact with their research faculty adviser. Residents are encouraged to present research results at national surgical research forums and submit at least one manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.