The MedStar Health (Baltimore) Residency Program in General Surgery
We are an independent surgical training program that is uniquely able to offer a diverse training experience, both in and out of the operating room. Our goal is to develop surgeons who lead in clinical excellence and deliver extraordinary patient care.
Our residents are trained by the best surgical educators across the city. They rotate throughout the MedStar Health hospitals in Baltimore as well as the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland. Our residents graduate with more than 1,000 cases and at least 300 major cases in their chief resident year. Our graduates often seek fellowships and match in their desired field.
Why train here
Surgery lectureship
We have an annual visiting professor lectureship that occurs each November. Each year we invite a surgeon, nationally recognized in their field, to spend time with us, meet our residents and faculty, participate in our teaching sessions, tour our facility, and to deliver a talk on a topic of their choosing. The lectureship was made possible through a charitable donation from the family of L. Craig Fulmer of Elkhart, Indiana.
Operative experience
Our residents easily complete 850-1000 major cases by the end of their PGY-5 year. As there are no fellows in the General Surgery Program at Medstar Union Memorial Hospital, residents cover cases early on in their PGY-1 year and operative involvement increases dramatically with experience. Our hospital has a dedicated OR for vascular surgery as well as four operating rooms for general surgery, one of which is set up mainly for laparoscopic cases. We also have a dedicated endoscopy suite as well as a vascular intervention suite.
Curriculum
The diversity of clinical exposures, research opportunities, and training environments creates an educational paradigm few programs can match. The clinical training offered through this program includes but is not limited to:
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PGY-1
At the beginning of the year, there is a one-day boot camp to start with informed consent, knot tying, pig feet suturing, and central line insertion to provide orientation for the new interns. For the remainder of the year, we simulate surgical problems such as postoperative MI, hematoma, narcotic overdose, and tension pneumothorax. Interns also learn procedures such as intubation, central line placement, and biopsy skills. Once competent, they can perform these procedures when needed on patients. In addition, megacodes are conducted several times throughout the year. This enables residents to practice ACLS skills in a controlled environment while receiving real-time feedback from senior residents and attendings.
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PGY-2 and PGY-3
Courses in operative skills such as laparotomy, carotid endarterectomy, and open AAA repair are offered to junior residents. Time is set aside to begin working on FLS competency. As their skills improve, junior residents begin teaching procedural skills and megacodes to the interns.
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PGY-4 and PGY-5
Senior residents perfect their skills in preparation for the FLS exam. Senior residents also proctor and teach interns and junior residents. A laparoscopic simulator is available with advanced surgical procedures such as lap hernia repair, lap cholecystectomy, lap appendectomy, lap liver resections, and lap colectomy.
Rotations
Rotations by year (1 block = 4 weeks)
PGY-1
General Surgery | 8 blocks | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
General Surgery | 2 blocks | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
Vascular Surgery | 1 block | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
ICU | 1 block | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
Night Float | 1 block | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
PGY-2
General Surgery | 8 blocks | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
General Surgery | 2 blocks | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
ICU | 1 block | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
Cardiovascular ICU | 1 block | Johns Hopkins Hospital |
Trauma Surgery | 1 block | University of Maryland Medical Shock Trauma Center |
PGY-3
General Surgery | 8 blocks | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
Vascular Surgery | 3 blocks | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
Pediatric Surgery | 1 block | University of Maryland |
Transplant Surgery | 1 block | Johns Hopkins Hospital |
PGY-4
General Surgery | 11 blocks | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
General Surgery | 1 block | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
Elective | 1 block | TBD |
PGY-5
General Surgery | 10 blocks | MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center |
General Surgery | 3 blocks | MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital |
Research
Residents are involved in varying facets of clinical research, from retrospective chart review to database analysis. Although there is no year dedicated to lab research, residents are involved in several research projects with assistance from faculty members.
Training locations
Surgery residents spend most of their time at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. However, for some specialties, the residents will do away rotations at other hospitals, including:
- MedStar Union Memorial Hospital (Critical Care, Cardiothoracic, Vascular)
- MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital (Acute care, General, Vascular and Plastics)
- MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center (Surgical Oncology, Colorectal, Acute Care General Surgery, Bariatric and Robotic)
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital - Main Campus (Trauma and Transplant)
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital - Bayview Campus (Burns)
- University of Maryland Medical Center (Pediatrics)
- University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center (Trauma)
Contact us
For more information about the MedStar Baltimore General Surgery Residency, please contact:
Sheryl Matthews
Phone: 443-777-7635
Email: Sheryl.R.Matthews@MedStar.net