Emory's general and gastrointestinal surgery faculty began refining and developing minimally invasive procedures in the early 1990s and have continued to do so up to the present day. Division surgeons provide laparoscopic, endoscopic and open procedures for treating inflammatory bowel, colorectal, endocrine, gallbladder, pancreatic, esophageal and gastric diseases as well as intra-abdominal infections, hernias and morbid obesity. In-house programs like the Emory Endosurgery Unit for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Emory Bariatrics Center and the Emory Simulation, Training and Robotics Center (ESTAR) underscore the division's clinical, academic and investigational leadership in the application of endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques.

In addition to advancing the technology and methods of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery, research efforts by division faculty include ground-breaking diabetes and parathyroid disease investigations, the pathophysiology of insulin resistance in the severely obese, and inflammatory response syndrome and metabolic alterations related to gastrointestinal surgery.

The general surgery residency is a five-year, non-pyramidal training program accredited by the ACGME. Over the years, well over half of the program's residents have proceeded to outstanding fellowships throughout the country. While not a requirement, resident participation in research is encouraged and various research fellowships are available throughout the department. The Endosurgery Unit also offers a one-year clinical fellowship with the option of a second year of research or a one-year research-only fellowship.