Residency Overview | Definition of Services | Surgical Education | ACGME Competencies

Residency Overview

The University of South Florida General Surgery Residency is a five year, non-pyramidal program that is approved to graduate six residents each year. All positions are filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).  International medical graduates may contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for their application materials and eligibility requirements. Application materials will be sent only to those candidates who meet ECFMG requirements.

The responsibilities of the General Surgery house officer  at USF include both patient care and teaching. The house officer is expected to participate in the teaching of medical students at the USF Health Sciences Center, as well as nurses and paramedical personnel with whom s/he comes in contact.

Patient care is administered at the Tampa General Hospital, the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center Bay Pines, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and All Children’s Hospital. Progressive and increased responsibility for patient care is given to the house officer as s/he advances through the program under the direction of senior house staff and faculty.

The Division of General Surgery within the Department of Surgery has the primary responsibility for teaching the resident general principles and techniques of surgery.

Within the Department of Surgery there are residencies in Plastic Surgery and Vascular Surgery as well as fellowships in Hand Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Colorectal Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Burn Surgery, Transplant and advanced GI surgery/Laparoscopy and Critical Care. The General Surgery residents work closely with Departmental faculty within the other Divisions and subspecialties including Vascular surgery, Surgical Oncology, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Transplant surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Thoracic/Cardiovascular Surgery, Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Orthopedic Surgery.

The first two years are an opportunity to administer pre- and post-operative care and to develop basic surgical techniques. In addition to general surgery experience, the first and second year residents rotate through Plastic Surgery, Surgical Intensive Care, Surgical Oncology, Thoracic/Cardiovascular Surgery, Transplant, Trauma, Burns, and Vascular Surgery.

The third and fourth years include rotations in Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Thoracic/Cardiovascular Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Trauma, Otolaryngology, and Vascular Surgery, as well as General Surgery experience. The fifth year allows the resident primary responsibility for the care of patients. As the resident progresses through the training program s/he becomes increasingly responsible for pre-, intra and post-operative decision making.

The goal of the residency program at the University of South Florida is to produce a well rounded competent general surgeon, fully trained in the principles and techniques required of a general surgeon. Certification by the American Board of Surgery is expected.

The Department of Surgery Chairman’s Office is always available to assist you with your questions and problems. Please feel free to contact Dr. Chales Paidas, Dr. Cynthia Karsonovich or Wendy McCrorey for direction.