General Surgery Residency
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General Surgery Residency

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Rotation Experience

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DHMC Related Departments

Year one

The Department of Surgery offers both preliminary and categorical training programs in General Surgery, using the combined facilities of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital (MHMH) in Lebanon, NH, and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VAMC) in nearby White River Junction, VT.

The first year consists of twelve one-month rotations on these services:

  • Breast Disease/Surgical Oncology
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Emergency Department
  • General Surgery-Gastrointestinal
  • General & Vascular Surgery (VAMC)
  • Intensive Care Unit
  • Otolaryngology
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Urology
  • Vascular Surgery

Year two

The first two years of the program are designed to give each resident the basis for a final choice in a surgical career and a foundation of knowledge and experience upon which to build subsequent training. It is expected that upon completion of this two-year core, residents will have acquired considerable skill and confidence in the management of critically ill patients and facility in basic surgical techniques.

The second year consists of six two-month rotations on these services:

  • Cardiothoracic
  • General Surgery-Community-Based
  • General Surgery (VAMC)
  • General Surgery-Laparoscopic
  • ICU
  • Trauma Surgery

Depending on funding sources, the opportunity for one or two years of full-time research is offered following the second year of the General Surgery Program. Re-entry at the third-year level is provided following the completion of the research period.

Year three

The four residents continuing in the five-year General Surgery Program receive training in Pediatric and Peripheral Vascular Surgery, in addition to extensive exposure to the traditional areas of General Surgery, including endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, and transplantation.

The third year consists of five two-and-a-half-month rotations on these services:

  • Endoscopy
  • General Surgery (VAMC)
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery

Year four

In the fourth year, the Senior Residents assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of the inpatient services of several attending physicians on each of the four Surgical Services at DHMC.

The four 3-month long rotations include:

  • Breast Disease/Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery-Laparoscopic
  • General Surgery-Community-based
  • Thoracic Surgery

Year five

During the fifth year of the program, the four Chief Residents have responsibility for:

  • General Surgery Consult (Trauma) Service
  • Management of the Vascular Service
  • General Surgery Breast Disease/Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery/Transplant Program

In addition to an elective practice of variety and substance, the Chief Residents virtually manage all urgent and trauma problems in the Center. The three-month rotations cover:

  • General Surgery-Consult (Trauma)
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Breast Disease/Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery-Transplant/G.I.