Program Synopsis

The Department of Surgery's general surgery residency, directed by Dr. Thomas Dodson, is a five-year, non-pyramidal training program accredited by the ACGME and approved by the Surgery Residency Review Committee for nine categorical PGY 1 through 5 positions and six preliminary PGY 1 and 2 positions. The latter typically serve as internships for the department's subspecialties, which include cardiothoracic surgery, general and gastrointestinal surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, surgical oncology, transplantation, trauma/surgical critical care and vascular surgery. Residents matched in Emory's urology program are also accepted by the general surgery program for their requisite surgical training. Applications are accepted through ERAS and the submission deadline is November 1.

Residents rotate through six hospitals: Emory University Hospital, an adult, tertiary care facility where residents spend approximately 40% of their time; Emory University Hospital Midtown, the primary care facility of Emory University; Grady Memorial Hospital, the Atlanta-area public hospital containing a Level I Trauma Center and Burn Unit where residents spend another 40% of their time; Atlanta VA Medical Center; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston; and Piedmont Hospital.

It has become standard for many of the program's residents to advance to outstanding fellowships throughout the country. Ethnic and religious diversity are hallmarks of the resident population, approximately 30% of whom are women.

The Emory Simulation, Training, and Robotics Center (ESTAR) sponsors mandatory resident laparoscopic and endoscopic skills labs throughout the academic year that meet RRC training requirements. The workshops are made possible in part by an educational grant from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Faculty and fellows of the Emory Endosurgery Unit generously volunteer their time to direct these sessions, providing one-on-one teaching and feedback using endoscopy and laparoscopic simulators by Immersion Medical, laparoscopic trainers by Haptica and endoscopy equipment by Olympus America.

Research

Resident participation in research is encouraged but not required. The department provides academic leave and financial support for residents presenting research at professional meetings. Residents may leave the program after their second or third year for research fellowships that typically last two years, depending on the circumstances of individual residents. The department maintains a wide range of active clinical research projects and research facilities in transplant immunology, vascular surgery and biomaterials, laparoscopic surgery, endocrine surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery and pediatric surgery. Residents can also obtain research positions at other institutions.

Contact

General Surgery Residency Program
Thomas Dodson, MD
H120 Emory University Hospital
1364 Clifton Road, NE
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA 30322
Telephone: 404.727.0093