GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Thomas J VanderMeer, MD

LETTER FROM PROGRAM DIRECTOR - GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Our General Surgery Residency is an excellent clinical training program. As the major tertiary care center for the surrounding region, we see a full spectrum of surgical problems, giving residents the broad exposure so important to becoming skilled surgeons.

Teaching residents is the highest priority for our surgical faculty; and because we are a small community, they are able to maintain a close professional and personal relationship with each resident. Most of the faculty members have additional Fellowships or advanced training, allowing them to practice and teach the most modern surgical techniques.

All of the resources of our Advanced Surgical Center, including the new state-of-the-art surgical suites are at your disposal. Residents receive solid training in all traditional areas of general and vascular surgery, while mastering new techniques such as advanced laparoscopic surgery, endovascular surgery, and surgical ultrasound. In addition, because there are no subspecialty Fellowship programs here, residents are also involved in a wide variety of subspecialty cases in cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, urology, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery.

The physical proximity of faculty offices to the clinical areas and operating rooms allows residents to becomes involved early on in their patients’ cases and to maintain continuity of care throughout the recovery period.

Our program has a core curriculum but it is flexible enough to foster individual strengths. The Guthrie Research Institute is located right on the campus and is accessible to all residents interested in basic or clinical research. In addition, residents may select rotations at other medical centers to pursue special interests.

From intern to chief, a Guthrie resident receives outstanding training in general surgery. Along with excellent, hands-on exposure to general surgery services, residents have a full two years of subspecialty rotations, working with some of the nation’s top subspecialists. Guthrie’s affiliation agreement with the University of Rochester Medical Center allows second-year residents to complete a rotation in pediatric surgery, transplant surgery, and burn services there. Guthrie offers residents a unique combination of medical technology, professional expertise, and individual attention. Clinical experience at Guthrie is considerably more extensive that in most general surgery training programs. We are proud that the depth, as well as breadth, of experience are the hallmarks of a Guthrie-trained surgeon.

Thomas J VanderMeer, MD
Director, General Surgery Residency Program