General Surgery Residency Curriculum

For two weeks during your PGY-1, you will work individually with one of the department's anesthesiologists to learn airway management, support of the anesthetized patient, regional anesthesia, respiratory care and care of ICU patients. Challenging cases are discussed at monthly conferences. 

You will gain an understanding of the pathophysiologic effect of burns and soft tissue infections, effectively manage patients with complex multi-system injuries, and organize healthcare facilities for ambulance services, in-hospital care and rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 4 weeks during your PGY-2. Housing in Madison, Wis., for this required external rotation is provided by Gundersen free of charge. 

Work with our gastroenterologists to learn the indications, complications and techniques of colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. You will also be exposed to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and other therapeutic endoscopy techniques. 

As a PGY-4 resident, you will become capable of providing pre-procedural, intra-procedural and post-procedural care for interventional radiology patients. You will increase your familiarity and skill related to image-guided procedures. 

This rotation during your PGY-3 is to further enhance your knowledge of obstetric and gynecologic care while increasing your skill in examination, understanding and treatment of women and those disease states related to the reproductive system. With more than 1,500 deliveries a year, you will have ample opportunities to work with board-certified obstetricians/gynecologists on a wide range of gynecological experiences, including numerous C-sections.

During PGY-2, you will become capable of providing excellent pre-operative, post-operative and post-discharge care for all patients on the head and neck service. You will participate in the evaluation of otolaryngology patients in the outpatient clinic, urgent care and emergency department, and evaluate new hospital patients referred for consultation to Otolaryngology. You will also participate in elective and emergency head and neck operations in both the hospital operating room and outpatient procedure rooms. For most cases, you will act as a first assistant and may function as the operating surgeon on selected cases. 

You will work closely with cardiothoracic surgeons on diagnostic evaluation of patients, interpreting results and assisting at major operations. Expect to gain experience in cardiac surgery, thoracic and thoracoscopic surgery during your PGY-2 and PGY-4.  

You will gain exposure to patients who have undergone transplantation (kidney, liver, pancreas and combined transplants) for 4 weeks during your PGY-3 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. You will gain an understanding of the complex issues surrounding the post-operative and intra-operative care of this challenging patient population under the direction of the attending surgeon. Housing in Madison, Wis., for this required external rotation is provided by Gundersen free of charge. 

As a PGY-1, you will work alongside emergency room physicians in the triage, evaluation and management of patients with a variety of medical and surgical conditions. The rotation focuses on procedures, evaluation of non-surgical abdominal pain, initial trauma resuscitation and evaluating other medical/surgical conditions. 

As a PGY-2, you will work with board-certified urologists to diagnose and treat urological conditions and understand how urology works with other specialties.