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Applicants

The General Surgery Residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center accepts eight categorical residents per year. Our program offers experience in all areas of General Surgery - oncology, minimally invasive, trauma, hepatobiliary, vascular, thoracic, endocrine, transplant, and general surgery. Residents are educated in the preoperative, operative and postoperative care of the patients. There is graded responsibility, with numerous cases available for all postgraduate levels. There are four primary adult hospitals and one children's hospital. Clinical and laboratory research opportunities are also available.

The Department has a reputation for training outstanding surgical residents. Because of their clinical excellence, our residents are highly regarded for fellowship training in all areas of surgery.

Application Process

All application information must be submitted to the Department of Surgery through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). All eligible applications are accepted. The application deadline is November 8, 2024.

ERAS 2025 Residency Application Timeline

Medical Education

  • Graduates of LCME-approved US and Canadian medical schools
  • International Medical Graduates who have valid ECFMG certificates of who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by and LCME-accredited medical school
  • Graduates of American Osteopathic Assoc accredited Osteopathic Medical Schools

Visa Status

Visa status for international Medical Graduates must fall within the following categories

  • Eligible to seek J-1 visa
  • Permanent Resident or Alien status (i.e. "greencard")
  • In accordance with UT GME guidelines, this program does not sponsor residents for "H" type visas.

Resident Selection / Applicant Eligibility (GME Policy #110)

Student Loan Forgiveness

Interviews are required for consideration. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview via e-mail in September.  Please be sure to include your e-mail address as part of your ERAS application.

Applicants are selected for interviews based on:

  • Medical school transcript
  • Personal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • USMLE or COMLEX scores

To ensure that all residents/fellows meet minimal standards, the Graduate Medical Education Program requires that all residents/fellows entering any Memphis-based graduate medical education program sponsored by the University of Tennessee College of Medicine on or after July 1, 2009 must have passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 (CK) or equivalent examinations (COMLEX-USA or MCCQE).

Any Agreement of Appointment or offer letter will be contingent upon passing Steps 1 and 2 (or equivalent exams). Each resident/fellow is responsible for providing copies of passage of Steps 1 and 2 (CK) or equivalent examinations to the program director and GME Office and will not be allowed to start training until this documentation is submitted. A valid ECFMG certificate will be accepted as proof for international medical school graduates.

Accepted or matched residents and fellows who have not passed Steps 1 and 2 (or equivalent examinations) by July 1 will be released from their contract.

  • US Clinical Experience (USCE) is not required; however, it is encouraged.

Applicants are selected for residency based on the above criteria and on personal interviews. UTHSC sponsors J1 visas ONLY.

General Surgery Applicants' Interview Dates

  • November 6, 2024
  • December 4, 2024
  • December 18, 2024
  • January 8, 2025
  • January 15, 2025

A virtual Meet & Greet will be held on Tuesday evening before each interview session. Virtual interviews begin the following day at 7:00 a.m. and end approximately at 2:00 p.m.

Brief Interview Schedule:

Tuesday Night:

  • Virtual Meet & Greet with residents

Wednesday:

7:00 a.m. Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Conference
8:00 a.m. Surgery Grand Rounds Conference
9:00 a.m. Program Overview ~ Alexander Feliz, MD, Program Director
9:45 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Interviews with David Shibata, MD, Chairman, and three faculty

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there minimum score requirements for USMLE Step I or Step II?
There are no minimum score requirements; however, our program is very competitive and higher scores will give you a better chance of getting an invitation to interview.

How many residents are in your program?
We are approved for eight PGY-1 categorical residents per year for five clinical years. Additionally, we currently have nine PGY-1 preliminary residents including pre-urology.

Do you require US clinical experience?
US clinical experience is not required, but recommended.

Do you accept visas?
Only J-1 visa is accepted.

Is there a requirement on how many years since graduation from medical school?
No, there is no requirement, but most of our residents come directly from medical school.

Are your residents required to do research?
Dedicated research years are available for residents in good standing. These years are usually taken after the second or third clinical year. 

Dec 11, 2024