The Department of General Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center is dedicated to the education of surgeons by offering an RRC-approved program that "encompasses the basic science of surgery, training in cognitive and technical skills, development of clinical knowledge and maturity, and the acquisition of surgical judgement." ¹

Education has been a priority for this institution from its inception in 1941. Our emphasis on education differentiates this medical center from other similar-sized, non-university hospitals. We have assembled a dedicated faculty with surgical expertise in all the principal components of General Surgery. A well-managed, aesthetically pleasing 843-bed medical center serves as the flagship of an integrated medical care system that supports a population of more than a million persons.

The goal of our five-year program is to train general surgeons who can enter private practice anywhere, either in a metropolitan or rural area, complete a surgical subspeciality fellowship, or pursue an academic surgical career. We expect our residents to pass the qualifying and the certifying examinations of the American Board of Surgery.

Inherent in the education of a surgeon is the ability to think critically, to become proficient in surgical technique, and to analyze surgical literature. We encourage open discussion, differences of opinion, new ideas, and personal initiative.

Clinical and bench research are a part of our educational process. Before beginning our program, one resident is selected to spend one year outside the residency as a research fellow in the laboratory. This research year generally follows the PGY-2 year.

We commit ourselves to excellence in patient care by evaluating our work and striving for the best while never shirking the responsibility of recognizing our failures. We believe that the best patient care can be delivered only in a spirit of cooperation with and respect for other health-care professionals. We respect the dignity and uniqueness of each patient.

¹ RRC Special Requirements for Residency Training in General Surgery, June, 2001.