The Brown Medical School Program in Surgery is structured as a five-year program leading to eligibility for certification by the American Board of Surgery. In addition to the five categorical residents accepted into the program, up to seventeen interns are accepted into a preliminary program for one to three years of education in general surgery prerequisite to entering programs in various surgical subspecialties. The primary goal of the program is to produce superior clinical and academic surgeons who are trained in all facets of modern general surgery. Specifically, this training includes intensive exposure to surgery of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, head and neck, vascular system, endocrine system, trauma, cardiothoracic, pediatric surgery, transplant surgery, and surgical nutrition.
Surgical residents are part of the operating team in all cases at the affiliated institutions.
All residents are afforded a rich operative experience due to the volume and variety of surgical diseases throughout the hospital system. Interns will perform an average of 150 cases during this first year and chief residents will average 1200-1300 cases over five years. The operative experience of the program is complimented by the rigorous academic conference schedule which is designed to promote resident advancement in surgical knowledge and to develop and hone presentation skills. The interdisciplinary nature of several of the conferences enhances the educational experience for the residents and promotes an appreciation for various views and approaches to surgical problems and issues. In recognition of the need for both clinical and academic physicians in the current and future healthcare environments, the program offers two tracks to categorical residents.