Surgery

Pathway Director

Drexel Fourth Year Discipline Based Pathway System

• Pathways Overview
• General Surgery Pathway Overview (Student Handbook)

Pathway Director's Advice On Commonly Asked Questions

Go to the Drexel Careers Development Center for information on residency planning, match results, FREIDA (lists of residency training programs across the country) and more.

Drexel and Clinical Site Residency Programs

• Abington Memorial Hospital
• Allegheny General Hospital
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Easton Hospital
• Lehigh Valley Hospital
• Mercy Catholic Medical Center
• Monmouth Medical Center
• Pinnacle Health Hospitals (Harrisburg)
• York Hospital

Drexel Medical Student Interest Group

Surgery Interest Group

Specialty Description

A general surgeon has expertise in the diagnosis and care of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, breast, skin, and blood vessels. A general surgeon is also trained in the care of pediatric and cancer patients and in the treatment of patients who are injured or critically ill. Common problems treated by general surgeons include hernias, breast tumors, gallstones, appendicitis, pancreatitis, bowel obstructions, colon inflammation, and colon cancer. General surgeons increasingly provide care through the use of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. (Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.)

Time Requirement

See ACGME for current requirements: http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/home/home.asp
The residency for general surgery is five years. Up to 2 years of additional training is required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas.

National Organizations

The national specialty organizations can provide medical students with excellent resources as well as updates on current activities within the field, conferences, and on-going research opportunities and research funding.

• American Board of Surgery
• American College of Surgeons
• American Society of General Surgeons

Subspecialties

• Hand Surgery
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgical Critical Care
• Vascular Surgery

Residency Application and Match Info*

*The number of applications and programs ranked will vary based on many factors.  Students should seek advice from their Pathway Advisor and/or the Career Development Center in conjunction with the data above.
**Data drawn from 2008 United States Graduates (USG) ERAS Statistics for Residency Specialties. 17Jun2009.
***National Resident Matching Program Characteristics of Matched Seniors, 2006-2008. 17Jun2009.

AAMC - Careers in Medicine

General Information: http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/pub_surgery.htm
(Log in for more helpful data to include: Personal Characteristics / Match data / Residency Requirements / Workforce Statistics / Compensation)

Specialty Specific Opportunities

For external research, volunteering, educational, and other opportunities check the Career Development Center's pages on Research and Community, Educational, and Externship Opportunities. Most of these opportunities are summer programs however some are available throughout the year.