Program View By Year

The PGY1 and PGY2 years constitute the “core” program. The PGY-3 year transitions to the senior program.
The senior program in the PGY3 through 5 years is based on progressive increments in the resident’s data base and technical abilities, which include graduated decision making responsibilities until the resident becomes an independent practitioner.

YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 | YEAR 5

First Year
First-year trainees rotate through Buffalo General Hospital, Millard Fillmore Hospitals Sites, the Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Erie County Medical Center. Each resident functions as a member of the surgical care team. Responsibilities include: evaluation and planning for treatment of patients; attendance at rounds, clinics and conferences; and operating experience. Approximately four months of the first-year rotations are in General Surgery, four months in Trauma.

Second Year
The second year of the program has an integrated curriculum that includes at least three months in General Surgery, one month in Endoscopy and Colon-Rectal Surgery, three months in Ambulatory Surgery and four months in Critical Care at the ECMC. The second-year resident achieves an increasing amount of clinical independence. Research opportunities in the PGY-2 year are available to residents. These positions will be selected on a competitive basis. Residents may be allowed to spend 1-2 years in a laboratory setting.

Third Year
In this year, the experience is broadened. The schedule includes experience in Pediatric Surgery (four months), Bariatric Surgery (1.5 months), Breast Surgery (1.5 months), Burn and Trauma (four months). The resident cares for more complicated patients and achieves increasing amounts of clinical independence.



Fourth Year
Fourth year assignments include Vascular and General Surgery. The resident achieves increasing amounts of clinical independence. The assignments are designed to provide the clinical experiences needed to become a Chief Resident.

Fifth Year
The fifth year is designed to provide increasing senior-level experience. Chief Residents are expected to fine-tune their decision making judgments as well as their operative technique on major elective procedures with emphasis on complex gastroenterologic , endocrine, peripheral vascular, and trauma cases. The Chief Resident runs the service, prepares and presents at conferences and Grand Rounds and teachers junior residents and medical students. This final year completes the comprehensive training as required by the American Board of Surgery.