Curriculum

At Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital, there are three surgical services:

• General surgery
• General and thoracic surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Residents on general surgery are responsible for responding to all level 1 and level 2 trauma activations and to cover trauma surgery cases, including traumatic neurosurgical cases. The trauma team is supported by APPs.

At Corewell Health Troy Hospital, there is year-round coverage of one general surgery and trauma group.

First year residents will focus on learning preoperative assessment and postoperative care of surgical patients. They spend two months in the combined MICU/SICU during which time they learn critical care basics: techniques and applications of invasive monitoring, vasopressor management, ventilator care, and fluid and electrolyte management*. They are integrated into the operating room early with senior residents and attending surgeons to maximize exposure to complex cases, in addition to acting as primary resident on minor surgical cases in the OR and endoscopy. Interns also rotate through Anesthesia, Radiology, Plastic Surgery, and Vascular Surgery. Interns finish the year by doing their first month of night block. Interns also have opportunities to mentor medical and physician assistant students while on General surgery.

* The ICU rotation is not intended to provide a complete instruction in the critical care management of all seriously ill surgical patients. This is supplemented by postoperative management of seriously ill surgical patients during the remainder of the resident's program. It may also be supplemented by an elective critical care rotation at another institution.

Second year residents begin building upon the foundation of first year and continue to learn tenets of patient care and surgical skills. They become chief of the vascular service and their final in-house ICU rotation, all with the support of their senior residents and attendings. They begin acquiring leadership skills by mentoring the intern residents and rotating students. Second year residents continue with two additional months of night block, begin going to Corewell Health Troy Hospital, and begin incorporating out-of-house rotations such as SICU at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital.

Third year residents begin to concentrate on improving their skills in the operating room, leadership skills, and patient management. They begin performing key tasks in complex surgical cases as their knowledge and ability increase. They are encouraged to participate in the development of treatment plans and demonstrate a holistic approach to patient care. Numerous out rotations and elective rotations are incorporated into their schedule to focus on specialties such as acute care surgery, pediatric surgery, and Beaumont Troy. Third year residents finish their last block of nights.

Fourth year residents are treated as senior residents and are often the chief of their monthly services. They are afforded graduated autonomy in the operating room to refine their operative skills, and work closely with attending surgeons to develop and implement treatment plans on the floors. Fourth year residents are expected to mentor and guide junior residents and act as home backup throughout the year. They continue with elective rotations and out rotations including colorectal surgery, transplant surgery, and surgical oncology. Fourth year residents also begin applying for fellowships, with support, preparation, and accommodations for interviews.

For the chief residents of the program, fifth year focuses on preparing residents to enter practice or fellowship as competent and proficient surgeons. They are expected to demonstrate comprehensive technical and clinical knowledge, leadership, and patient care. Chief residents work closely with attending faculty while at core hospital sites and run the surgical services. Chief residents are integrally involved in creating rotation and call schedules. Chief residents have elective opportunities as well.

• Lectures:
  • Friday morning protected 4 hour block didactics
  • Monthly Journal Club
  • Weekly M&M
  • Monthly SQIP
  • Monthly Trauma
  • Monthly Tumor Board
  • Monthly anatomy lecture/dissection
• Simulation/Skills Lab
• Certifications:
  • ACLS/BLS
  • ATLS
  • FLS
  • FES
  • ASSET
  • Ultrasound courses
• SEMCME basic science course
• ABSITE review
• SCORE lectures
• Mock oral