General Surgery Residency Curriculum

The main goal of the PGY1 experience for Surgery Residents is to ensure that residents understand the principles of pre- and post-operative care. Residents gain valuable insight in the operating room as both first assistant and surgeon junior under the direct supervision of faculty attendings or senior residents.

During the second year of residency training, PGY2 surgery residents continue the first-year residency work of evaluating and planning for the treatment of patients; attending rounds, outpatient clinics and conferences; serving as surgeon junior when the opportunity presents itself; and participating as a member of the educational staff for third- and fourth-year medical students during their surgical clerkships.

The third year of residency training in surgery enables trainees to gain greater decision-making responsibility through consultation opportunities as the most senior-level resident on the transplant, SICU, breast surgery and IU Health West Hospital rotations.

The curriculum for the fourth year of surgery residency training ensures that PGY4 surgery residents gain an increased level of responsibility through consultation opportunities as the most senior-level resident on trauma, pediatric surgery and apprentice rotations, including colon recta, hepatobiliary, surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery. In addition, fourth-year residents experience an increase in their leadership responsibilities on assigned services as a senior-level resident.

The fifth year of the general surgery residency at IU School of Medicine is the chief resident year, when residents assume senior-level responsibilities in both clinical and operative decision-making. During this year, PGY5 residents take on leadership and education roles for residents and medical students.