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.

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