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About the Medical College of Wisconsin General Surgery Residency Program

What sets us apart?

General Surgery Residents
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Protected Block Curriculum

PGY 1

  • 6 week 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)
  • Weekly readings and quizzes
  • 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
  • 1-2 cadaver and 1-2 live tissue labs per year for each class including the ACS ASSET and ATOM trauma courses
  • Engaged curriculum support staff and faculty who incorporate new resident suggestions each year
Rotation Block Diagram
Robotics Curriculum

The Medical College of Wisconsin General Surgery Residency 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.


Resident Wellness

The MCW General Surgery Wellness Committee aims to improve the residency experience by facilitating meaningful wellness initiatives grounded in resident interest and feedback. We focus on simple measures that support our residents and can be integrated easily into the complex logistics of residency training. While 'being well' means different things to every individual resident, the Wellness Committee seeks to offer a space for all residents to bring ideas forward that can improve our personal and community wellness culture.

Check out our newly approved General Surgery Parental Wellness Guide! (PDF)

Current Wellness Committee: JP Marquart, Melissa Drezdzon, Erin Buchanan, Nathan Smith, Sam Thalji, Elise Biesboer, Halen Turner, Jennifer Schuh, Hannah Holland, Sarah Suh, Samantha Leonard, Alexa Lisevick, Kaitlyn Sonnentag, Alice Lee

Follow us on Instagram to keep up with our latest resident wellness events!

Research

An optional dedicated research lab experience is offered for those residents interested in performing research under the guidance of an established investigator. Residents have the choice to do research after his or her PGY 2 or 3 year. Typically, six to eight residents are out on research in a given academic year in the following areas:

  • Children’s Wisconsin
  • CT surgery
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Quality Improvement
  • Veteran’s Hospital
Mock Oral Boards
PGY 3 through PGY 5 residents participate in Mock Oral Boards each June. This exercise presents itself as a representation of the American Board of Surgery certifying exam. Each resident has three, one-on-one sessions with 1-2 faculty members during which time they are asked patient-centered questions. Residents are graded on their ability to articulate correct responses, think on their feet and communicate in a professional manner, all in preparation for the certifying examination.
Resident Travel
Each PGY 3 through PGY 5 resident is provided through an endowment the opportunity to attend one major conference of choice for up to seven days. This conference must provide an educational learning environment that allows a resident to broaden their knowledge base in clinical or basic science.
Annual Family Events
We believe that your family is important and spending time with them is a necessary part of your life. We provide for several annual events which are department or resident driven. These include a resident welcome picnic each July, the Thanksgiving dinner in November and a resident holiday party in December.
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. Information about the benefits, conditions & terms of employment can be found on Graduate Medical Education's Benefits page.
3rd 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.
Licensing Assistance
Licensing assistance is offered through the Division of Education Residency Office. During the PGY 1 year, residents are educated on the process and forms are completed to initiate licensing through the State of Wisconsin. It takes approximately 18 months to obtain licensure and the Residency Office ensures that all necessary components are fulfilled. By providing a licensing service to residents, they no longer have to self-initiate the process and this unique service is viewed as a program enhancement.
Resident Awards

Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on resident awards!

Taylor Jaraczewski, MD
Taylor Jaraczewski, MD

“2023-2024 Global Surgery Research Fellowship Award”

Colleen Flanagan, MD
Congratulations to Dr. Colleen Flanagan, recipient of the Jessica S. Lin Award for Clinical Excellence by a Resident Physician presented by the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH). This award is given to a resident physician in recognition of outstanding contributions to patient care. The award was established in memory of Jessica S. Lin, MD, a Neurosurgery resident at MCWAH from July 2007 until her untimely death in February 2010. Dr. Lin was highly regarded for her exceptional grace, warmth, intelligence, dedication and integrity.