About the MCW General Surgery Residency Program
What Sets Us Apart?
A culture dedicated to education
Weekly didactic curriculum, minimally invasive skills sessions, cadaver and pig labs, and a dedicated robotics curriculum
World-renowned academic faculty
Faculty who are national leaders in every academic surgery specialty, including cardiothoracic, pediatric, transplant, bariatrics, colorectal, surgical oncology, trauma and acute care surgery, vascular and minimally invasive
Our residents!
The MCW general surgery residents are a family, working together to great a culture of collaboration and teamwork both in and out of the hospital!
Program Curriculum & Training
Protected Block Curriculum
PGY 1
- 6 weeks protected curriculum blocks spread throughout the year
PGY 2-5 Weekly Curriculum
- Weekly 2-hour faculty led facilitated discussions using This Week in SCORE (TWIS) curriculum (basis of the ABS CE) with weekly readings and quizzes
- Occur after Wednesday M&M/Grand Rounds conferences
- Skills sessions for an additional 2 hours, twice monthly for PGY-2s, once monthly for PGY-3s-5s
- Faculty panels on job finding, planning for fellowship, coping with difficult patient outcomes, surgeon financial plannings
- Engaged curriculum support staff and faculty who incorporate new resident suggestions each year
Robotics Curriculum
The Medical College of Wisconsin General Surgery Residency Program is proud to feature a comprehensive, multi-phase Robotic Surgery Curriculum. We aim to equip residents with the knowledge and technical acumen to be skilled robotic surgeons upon graduation. Training begins early, soon after intern orientation. Our curriculum consists of the following:
- Dry labs utilizing the full DaVinci robotic platform
- Simulator training modules using the SimNow platform, on a dedicated educational robotic console accessible 24/7 to residents
- Online learning modules
- Case reviews
- Bedside and console cases
- Attending evaluations of bedside and console proficiency
Upon completing these requirements, residents will be able to obtain a Da Vinci Training Equivalency Certificate.
Third Year Elective
During the third year of clinical training, residents have the option to select one of seven blocks as an elective rotation. This elective can focus on the individual resident’s preferred interest or to help identify a career track.
Residents interested in Global Health rotations can participate in a 1-month global surgery experience during their elective PGY 3 rotation.
Research
An optional dedicated research experience is available for residents interested in conducting research under the guidance of an established investigator. Residents have the choice to do 1-2 years of research after their PGY 2 or PGY 3 year.
Research projects can be undertaken in any surgical discipline and across a variety of research methodologies including, but not limited to, basic science, clinical outcomes/trials, surgical education, and quality improvement. Activities during research years include project development and execution as set forth by the resident’s mentor, individualized learning activities, methods-oriented journal clubs, as well as a didactic curriculum focusing on advanced methods and scientific writing.
Specific funded research opportunities are available through the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, Children’s Wisconsin, select NIH funding applications, and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Mock Oral Boards
PGY 3–5 residents participate in Mock Oral Boards each Spring. This is Statewide, with faculty and residents from the three other residency programs in Wisconsin. Residents are evaluated on their ability to articulate safe patient care responses and communicate in a professional manner, all in preparation for the ABS certifying examination.
Additional Program Opportunities
General Surgery Residency Program Skills Curriculum
Benefits, Conditions, and Terms of Employment
Residents training in the General Surgery Training Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin are employed by the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals. The Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH) is a consortium that was established in 1980 to facilitate the administration of Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs conducted jointly by the Medical College of Wisconsin in conjunction with 10 health care institutions in the greater Milwaukee area. MCWAH oversees housestaff benefits and institutional policies.
General Surgery Residency Program Training Sites
Our Residents rotate through these hospital facilities throughout their training.
Froedtert Hospital
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin regional health network is a partnership between Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital
The Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital is a medical center located outside of Milwaukee offering state-of-the-art care and specialized treatment plans.
Children's Wisconsin
One of the nation’s top pediatric facilities, Children’s Wisconsin is the region's only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children.
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center
The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center is one of the busiest and most comprehensive centers operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Aspirus Hospital, Wausau
Aspirus Hospital is located in Wausau and the Residents in the rural track will rotate through this location.
Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital
Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital is a community hospital.