Maine Medical Center
Surgeons prepping for an operation

Curriculum

First and Second Year

During the first two years, the majority of rotations are on the "core" surgery services which include; general and acute care surgery, trauma, vascular, surgical oncology and colorectal/advanced laparoscopic. The vascular service at this level of training incorporates both vascular and transplant on a single service although a separate rotation in transplant is scheduled during the PGY3 year.

Three months are spent in the surgical intensive care unit during the first and second year to insure a firm grounding in the care of critical care training. There is one month of research time. On average, junior residents will spend 4-5 months on night float split between the two years.

Third Year

During this year the resident will begin to spend some time on some small services in which they are the most senior resident in order to develop progressive organization and leadership skills. The pediatric surgery service and transplant service are examples. There is another month of elective time, and usually two more months of night float. The rest of the time the resident will rotate through some of the core general surgery services.

Fourth Year

During this year, residents will continue to develop management and leadership skills. For 3 months of the year, they are the chief on night float, making them the most senior resident in the hospital. They also serve as chief on the trauma service. There is a month of dedicated thoracic surgery, with the rest of the year spent on core surgery services.

Fifth Year

The culmination of a resident's time in the program is the chief year. During this time, the resident will spend the entirety of the year as the chief of one of the core surgery services. Each chief resident is responsible for his/her service. They are expected to act as an instructor not only for the junior house staff but also for the third year medical students from the University of Vermont and TUSM-MMC who are assigned to the surgical services. They will also meet fourth year medical students serving as acting interns who come from medical schools from across the country. The year will prepare them for the independent practice of general surgery or fellowship.

Certification

Successful completion of the five year program leads to recommendation for examination by the American Board of Surgery. View our ACGME data on Chief Residents' Operative Experience.