Surgical Residency Programs

Colon & Rectal Surgery (ACGME Accreditation # 060-48-21-023)

With its nationally-recognized surgeons and training program, the Colon & Rectal Clinic is the established leader in the field of colon and rectal surgery. Our skilled colorectal surgeons perform thousands of diagnostic and surgical colorectal procedures each year. Using the most up-to-date technologies, such as laparoscopic colonoscopy, CRC surgeons diagnose and treat the broad range of colorectal diseases including colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn´s Disease, ulcerative colitis, and anal incontinence. Prior completion of an ACGME accredited General Surgery Residency is required to begin the twelve month program. More information and admission requirments are found here. For further information on this program, please contact the Terri Lynchard, the program coordinator.

General Surgery - Categorical and Preliminary (ACGME Accreditation # 440-48-21-337)

The Department of General Surgery offers a five-year categorical general surgery residency program as well as a preliminary general surgery program. The program is fully accredited by the ACGME. Research is encouraged in the categorical program and many residents choose to participate in 2-3 year research sabbaticals. During your training in this program, your responsibilities will increase with your experience, capability and performance. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to become certified in the American College of Surgeons' Advanced Trauma Life Support program. Clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups, journal clubs and one-on-one instruction are an integral part of the General Surgery Residency Program. All residents are required to attend. For detailed information, please visit the program's site. For further information on this program, please contact the residency coordinator, Kat Garza.

Pediatric Surgery (ACGME Accreditation # 445-48-12-042) |

The year 2005 marked the beginning of the Pediatric Surgery Training Program here at the Medical School. The goal of the training program is to prepare pediatric surgery residents to become safe, qualified and board-certified pediatric surgeons and to be the teachers, researchers and future leaders in the field of pediatric surgery. The two year program requires prior completion of a ACGME accredited General Surgery residency. Complete admission requirements and other details are found here. The program can be contacted through Crystal Sutton.

Plastic Surgery (ACGME Accreditation # 360-48-31-101) |

The two-year Plastic Surgery Residency Program prepares you for a career as a competent, mature, compassionate and ethical plastic surgeon who is committed to superior patient care, research and continuing education. Graduates are ready to excel in academic medicine or private practice. Approved by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, this unique program offers one-on-one training in the outpatient setting, hospital and operating room. Completion of an ACGME accreditied General Surgery Residency is required. Complete admission requirements and other details are found here. Please contact the program through Esmeralda Gonzalez.

Urology (ACGME Accreditation # 480-48-21-146)

The Urology Residency Program provides five years of postgraduate training, including one core year of preliminary surgery and four years of clinical urology.

This residency program provides a well-rounded clinical experience that will expose you to all aspects of urology. You will become proficient in endourology, laparoscopic urology, neurourology, sexual dysfunction, the evaluation and treatment of incontinence, reconstructive surgery, urologic oncology and pediatric urology.

From a research perspective, you will have the ability to critically review literature, and design and conduct retrospective and prospective clinical/surgical trials after completing the program.

The five-year Urology Residency Program is accredited by the ACGME and offers:

• Comprehensive preparation for a career in clinical practice or academic medicine
• A curriculum that meets the certification requirements of the American Board of Urology
• Close working relationships with focus on one-on-one surgical mentoring
• Extensive clinical experience with both common and complex urological problems
• A strong didactic curriculum that includes a variety of conferences, lectures and courses

For more details, visit the program's website. Sylvia Inoa, the residency coordinator, can also be contacted for more information.

Surgical Clinical Fellowship Programs

Burns - Thomas D. Cronin Fellowship in Plastic Surgery |

The candidate must be a resident in good standing who has completed at least 2 years of a surgical specialty, preferably General Surgery. Selection is based on multiple parameters and the burn faculty recommends an appropriate candidate to the GME Department for appointment. All aspects of this fellowship are subject to change without notice. The fellowship is not ACGME accredited nor Texas Medical Board approved, therefore a full and unrestricted Texas Medical License is required. The fellowship is only available when fund income is adequate, thus not every year and is a research and clinical fellowship. For additional information, please email Kathleen Atkins or consult the program's website.

Female Urology & Urodynamics (TMB Approval # 503-48-14-35)

The fellowship is a one-year clinical fellowship directed by O. Lenaine Westney, M.D., Professor of Surgery and the Division Director in Urology. The program is for individuals who are completing urologic training and seeking advanced specialized training in both clinical and research aspects in the field of pelvic floor disorders, including urinary incontinence, urethral reconstruction, pelvic organ prolapse, and voiding dysfunction..

The year will be devoted primarily to clinical activities in pelvic floor reconstruction and incontinence. Approximately 80 percent of the time will be spent in either the clinic, seeing and evaluating patients, performing urodynamic studies, or in the operating room refining surgical skills. Typical incontinence procedures and more complex cases of severe pelvic organ prolapse (treated both abdominally and vaginally), urinary diverticula and fistula, urinary diversion, as well as several others are all covered during this extensive supervised surgical experience. The program contact is Sylvia Inoa . More information can be obtained from the program website.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (TMB Approval # 503-48-14-37)

In minimally invasive surgery, surgeons operate through tiny incisions. Tubes are inserted into the incisions and tiny instruments, such as video cameras and cutting tools, are slipped through them. The instruments allow the surgeons to perform operations with minimal injury to the body. The result for patients is more rapid recovery and a faster return to normal living. Many of these procedures may be performed on an outpatient basis or require only a one-day stay. The fellows will gain experience in all aspects of laparoscopic surgery including bariatrics, Nissen fundopliction, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic colectomy, laparoscopic hernia repair and flexible endoscopy. More details may be found here. During this fellowship, you will utilize laparoscopic and video-guided techniques including flexible endoscopy in the care of the GI and general surgery patient. This training program includes both clinical experience and research. Our goal is to prepare you as a leader in the field of minimally invasive and GI surgery. Contact Judy Jackson for admission requirements and application.

Renal Transplant (TMB Approval # 503-48-14-04)

The aim of the two year Renal Transplantation Surgery Fellowship Program is to provide our fellows with the best possible foundation for a career in transplantation surgery. Each year, we perform more than 200 kidney transplants, and 15-20 pancreas transplants. The Renal Transplant surgical fellowship currently trains four surgical fellows at a time. The American Society of Transplantation Surgery (ASTS) has accredited this fellowship for training in kidney transplantation. For more information, consult the program's website. You may also email Rhonda Tidwell.

Surgical Critical Care (ACGME Accredtitation #442-48-21-038

The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship provides extended training in Surgical Critical Care, to satisfy the American Board of Surgery and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) criteria for the certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care as well as to encourage academic careers and investigation in Surgical Critical Care. The fellowship is 12 months in duration and spans two different hospitals with very different populations. There also the posibility of an optional second year in Trauma Surgery at a facility in Tyler, Texas. The program contact is Serena Cooper and more information is also found at their website.