Message from the Program Director

Welcome to The University of Arizona General Surgery Residency Training Program web page. We hope that the following information will provide you with information concerning goals, objectives, and organization of our residency program.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in General Surgery, the decision you make concerning the location of your residency training will one of the most important of your life. Not only does your chosen residency program provide you with the necessary knowledge and skill to become a competitive and practicing surgeon, it will also provide you with many fond memories as you progress in your career. Your selection should be guided by the quality of the training, your assessment of the "personality" of the program, and lifestyle issues.

At The University of Arizona, the objective of our training program is quite simple. We want to provide an educational and a practical experience that will:

• Train our residents to be safe and effective surgeons.
  
• Provide the necessary background for success in a variety of clear options.
• Make our graduates competitive in the marketplace.
• Provide sufficient experience to become a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery.
• To have fun!

I believe that the major strength of the residency program at The University of Arizona is its flexibility. Our track record is that we produce excellent surgeons who pursue careers in continued fellowship training, academic surgery, and private practice. While research is not required, it is certainly available to any or all of the residents who desire to pursue that course. There is some "elective" time that will allow each resident to pursue a track of his or her own interest.

Another strength of the program is the relationship between the residents and the faculty. All of us in The Department of Surgery, including the residents, understand that one of our major missions is education and residency training. As such, the faculty and residents work together to pursue this goal in a collegial and supportive environment. Educational mission is achieved by the faculty and the residents working shoulder-to-shoulder on the "clinical teams" in a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.

We are extremely proud of our trainees and we work hard to make sure that our entering residents are highly qualified and motivated. Our training program is based on the concepts of adult education, which requires a significant amount of self-study modulated by close mentoring. I can assure you that, if you become a resident in our program, we will work together to allow you to be one of the highest caliber surgeons in America.

If there are any questions concerning any aspects of our program, do not hesitate to call our office, and, with pride, I or one of our faculty will be happy to further discuss the opportunities in Tucson.

Sincerely,

Jim Warneke, MD, FACS
Associate Professor
Department of Surgery/Section of Oncology
Director, General Surgery Residency Program