Download the Resident Rotation Block Schedule (PDF).
PGY-1
These rotations are designed to provide the resident broad-based exposure to the fundamentals of pre- and post-operative surgical care and a solid basis in surgical technical skills, such as the handling of tissue, closure of simple and complex wounds, exposure, and performance of basic general surgical procedures. Rotations consist of one to two months experiences in general and vascular surgery, surgical oncology, pediatric surgery and the surgical specialties of plastics and cardiothoracic surgery.
PGY-2
These clinical rotations are designed to provide the resident the knowledge, experience, and judgment necessary to evaluate and care for critically ill patients as well as patients with common surgical diseases such as abdominal wall hernias, colon cancer, and acute inflammatory conditions of the abdomen. The rotations consist of one to two month experiences in the surgical intensive care unit, breast surgery, cardiothoracic, and general surgery. It is during this clinical year that our residents begin to perform upper GI endoscopies and colonoscopies. These residents are responsible for providing elective and emergency surgical consults on the general surgery services at the UAMS Medical Center.
PGY-3
Third-year clinical rotations build upon the experience and knowledge gained in the first two clinical years. The third-year surgical residents begin to assume a leadership role in caring for surgical patients as they are the senior-most residents on the Breast Oncology service, transplant surgery service, and the vascular surgery service at the VA. Under the direction of attending surgeons, these residents will perform a wide-spectrum of basic and laparoscopic general surgical procedures including breast biopsy, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, exploratory laparotomy, and colostomy. The third year schedule also allows flexibility for electives relevant to the residents’ surgical interests.
PGY-4
These clinical rotations provide the senior resident with significant operative and management experiences in surgical specialties. During this year, the residents gain experiences as the chief resident in trauma surgery, thoracic surgery, night float, and pediatric surgery. Electives may be available based on resident interest.
PGY-5
The final year’s clinical rotations provide the chief resident with experience managing patients with both basic and complex general surgical problems. Under the guidance of an attending surgeon, the chief resident in surgery is responsible for managing the continuum of pre-operative, operative, and post-operative care of his or her patients on the general surgery services, surgical oncology service, colorectal surgery service, and emergency general surgery services at the UAMS Medical Center as well as the general surgery service at the McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital.