General Surgery Residency Program

The USC Department of Surgery has a long tradition of excellence in training clinical surgeons. A hallmark of the program is the incredible diversity of the training experience. By spending significant time at each of the major training sites, residents obtain a spectrum of experience that is unmatched. The culmination of the training occurs during the chief resident year, which is predominately spent at the Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he or she will be responsible for running the various surgical services, with attending supervision.

The surgical pathology, severity of disease and degree of autonomy afforded to the residents in this program make it truly one-of-a-kind. At the completion of five years of clinical training, the graduating resident will have the confidence to handle any clinical situation and will have gained extensive experience as a clinical leader. The program offers a team approach to resident education, career development, mentorship, and research opportunities.

Resident education is made possible by an unwavering commitment from Dr. Vaughn Starnes, MD, chair of the Department of Surgery. The Department of Surgery earmarks more than $1.5 million every year in support of the educational programs for residents. Dr. Maura Sullivan, PhD Educator and Vice Chair of Education, has organized a robust curricular structure that integrates clinical experience with the latest skills lab, simulation, and didactic instruction. Our program has enjoyed long standing full accreditation status with the ACGME. As a result of the efforts put into our educational offerings, graduates of the program have gone onto some of the most prestigious and competitive fellowship programs across the country.

Overall, there are few programs in the country that provide the breadth of training that is offered within the USC General Surgery Residency Program. Our residents train at one of the country’s largest public hospitals, a university tertiary care hospital, an NCI-designated cancer center, a managed-care community hospital, and a nationally renowned children’s hospital. Residents will gain experience in routine as well as complex open, laparoscopic, endoscopic and robotic techniques. We stress excellence in producing well-rounded surgeons with significant clinical experience and the confidence that only comes with the graduated resident autonomy for which the program is known.

Mission

The mission of this program is to provide residents in the General Surgery Program a veritable research experience that aligns with the goal of training future leaders in surgery.

Format of the Research Program

The research program is crafted to be flexible to suit individual resident goals and interests. Most of our residents will avail themselves of protected time outside clinical years to pursue research and academic efforts. The number of years in and type of research will be tailored to best suit the career plans of the individual resident.

Goals and expectations of research year(s)

• The success of this program is clearly reliant on the residents’ undertaking high quality research. The goal is for the resident to be able to complete a quality research product by the end of their research program. It is the expectation that the research will be presented at a regional/national meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Depending on the specific research area, whenever opportunities exist and with their faculty mentor’s guidance, it is expected that the resident will submit the research for competitive extra-mural funding opportunities.
• Every resident who has participated in the research program will be expected to present at the annual Berne Academic Day to the USC Department of Surgery at large. This conference is held in the spring of each year. The best presentation will win the resident research award.

Area of Research

The residents will be allowed to choose their own area of research based on their interest and opportunities available. No restriction will be placed on type of research (clinical vs. bench) or location of research (restricted to the department or for that matter to the institution). A non-exhaustive list of research opportunities within the department is provided below.

Planning for the research year(s)

The primary goal of the Residency Research Program is to oversee the research experience of the residents. This program is directed by Kazuhide Matsushima, MD, with Gautam Malhotra, MD, serving as the associate director. A resident research oversight committee comprising of select faculty members reviews research plans of every resident, provides constructive feedback and further augments resident research experience.

Funding Sources

The department works actively with each resident to identify funding sources to support their research efforts. The department has been awarded an R38 training grant from the NHLBI that supports research efforts in the areas of heart, lung, vascular and blood research. Residents can also compete for institutional CIRM and T32 training awards. In addition, funds are available within each division to cover resident research.

Graduate level training during research years

The research program is designed to provide residents the opportunity to receive didactic training that will prepare them for a future in academic surgery. All residents will receive formal training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. In addition, they will enroll in graduate level biostatistics classes commensurate with their prior expertise.

Residents also can enroll in other graduate courses that would best enhance their research experience. Our past trainees have utilized these opportunities to obtain advanced degrees, including MPH, PhD, MSEd and EdD.

All applications for the General Surgery Training Program are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). You also must register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

Our requirements for application include:

• Common application form
• Personal statement
• Medical school transcripts
• MSPE/dean’s letter
• Letters of recommendation (minimum of three)
• Photograph
• USMLE transcripts
• ECFMG status report – foreign graduates only

Interview Dates:Fridays November 10th, December 15th, December 16th, & January 12th

Vacation

Each resident is allowed 4 weeks of paid vacation throughout the year.

Salary

Below is a table of resident salaries based on PGY level. These salaries are established periodically by the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors and the Joint Council of Interns and Residents. In addition to the base salary, each resident is given a $10,000 housing bonus at the start of each academic year. Through the Committee of Interns and Residents, the housestaff union, residents are reimbursed up to $2,000 annually for education related expenses such as books or laptops. Similarly, for travel to conferences or research presentations, residents are reimbursed up to $1,000 annually.

The present salary scale is as follows:
PHYSICIAN, POSTGRADUATE SALARIES (Oct 1, 2022 through Sept 30, 2023) With a guaranteed 3.25% increase on October 1st of the next two years.

White coats

White coats are provided from both Keck and Los Angeles General Medical Center. The Keck white coat will have your name embroidered on the front.

Meal stipend

Each resident is given approximately $30/day, 7 days/week, which is divided between breakfast, lunch, and dinner and can be used at Los Angeles General Medical Center or Keck Hospital. While at other hospitals, residents are also provided with a meal stipend.

Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice insurance is provided without charge for all resident physicians during training.

Parking

Residents are provided free parking at all rotation facilities.

Health Benefits

Residents have a variety of health benefits available to them. There is a menu of medical plans to choose from, vision, dental, supplemental medical and dental, gap insurance, disability as well as other employee assistance programs. More information can be found at: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/ and https://www.cirseiu.org/

The Berne Society Reverse Visiting Professorship is a unique and innovative program designed to foster professional connections and enhance the educational experience of PGY3 residents in the field of general surgery. Established with the aim of strengthening ties between residents and alumni surgeons, this program sends PGY3 residents to visit distinguished alumni surgeons working at hospitals across the country. During these visits, residents have the opportunity to observe hospital structures, participate in academic discussions, and engage in mentorship sessions, all of which contribute to the development of their surgical skills and knowledge. The program is strategically crafted to build lasting professional relationships, providing residents with a platform to establish meaningful connections within the surgical community. The ultimate goal is to support residents in their pursuit of fellowship opportunities by leveraging the network and insights gained through the Berne Society Reverse Visiting Professorship, ensuring a solid foundation for their future success in the field of surgery.