Categorical Training

The Categorical Program in General Surgery is designed to offer a broad experience in all aspects of surgical practice, and to prepare the graduate for a career in a rapidly changing medical environment. Graduates may compete effectively for academic positions, for postgraduate fellowships, or for private practice opportunities. The program is six years, five clinical years and one year of research. Clinical experience is acquired during rotations at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and at the Program's Affiliated Institutions which include the Children's National Health System, the Washington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Holy Cross Hospital. Research may be performed at the University, at one of its Affiliated Institutions, at the National Institutes of Health, or at an outside facility of the resident's choosing.

Our residents gain an unparalleled breadth of experience. The different settings include the university tertiary referral centers, an internationally recognized children's hospital, a large veterans hospital, and a very busy private hospital. Several Presidents of the United States have been treated at The George Washington University. At the University and Children's Hospitals a large variety of unusual and difficult cases are treated, while at the other facilities many of the more common and typical cases will be managed. The operative experience is excellent; junior-level residents operate regularly and take charge of many cases under the supervision of senior residents and faculty. Each year, four first-year residents are accepted into the Categorical Program, and four Chief Residents complete the Program. This is not a pyramidal program, and no resident is dismissed because of a lack of chief positions. Our goal is to train outstanding surgeons in a supportive and challenging environment.

Preliminary Program

Preliminary training in Surgery is available for either one or two years. For those individuals who will continue in orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, urology, or neurosurgery at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences. This preliminary program gives the resident a solid fund of knowledge and experience in surgery in preparation for further training.

Selection Process

The Department of Surgery participates in the National Resident Matching Program. Four or five positions are available in the Categorical Program. Each applicant must be a graduate of an approved medical school, and should be in the upper third of his or her class. A letter from the Dean, three letters of recommendation, an official transcript, a personal statement, a curriculum vitae and scores from parts 1 and 2 of the National Boards should be sent with your completed application form. Based on these materials, selected individuals will be offered a personal interview. At that time, the applicant will have the opportunity to meet several of the surgical faculty members, tour the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and discuss the training program with our house staff. Applications are mailed upon request July through October. Interviews are held on specific Wednesdays and Saturdays during December, January, and early February. The match lists are submitted in February, and results of the match are available during the middle of March. The specific dates are listed with the material you receive from the Match Program. No results will be released until noon on Match Day except to those individuals who did not match.