During this time, the resident also is exposed to the most technically challenging surgical cases. On completing this year, residents will be experienced clinical surgeons, who have developed good judgment and compassion for their patients. They will have learned to read the literature critically, express concepts clearly in conferences, and will be prepared for a lifetime career in surgery. Chief residents will be ready to undertake additional fellowship training if desired and, with the background of an optional one or two years in research, will have had abundant opportunity to prepare for academic careers with expertise in aspects of laboratory research. In addition to comprehensive clinical training, the surgical resident program offers a solid core curriculum and a full range of formal and informal training programs.
Residents actively participate in teaching conferences at both divisions.
The latter opportunity is in the laboratory of M. David Tilson, MD, doing research in abdominal aortic aneurysm. Recently residents have made advances in the localization of fibrillin in Marfan's disease. They also worked on identifying various aortic specific antegenic proteins and localizing them in the aortic wall. The libraries, which are open seven days a week, provide access to an extensive collection of medical journals and texts. Residents also can take advantage of all of the facilities of Columbia University, including the Health Sciences Center Library.