Clinical Experience

Curriculum

The General Surgery Residency at Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center is a rigorous five-year clinical training program designed to develop well-rounded, skilled and confident surgeons. Each year, six categorical residents and one preliminary resident are selected through the National Residency Matching Program. The program provides comprehensive education in all aspects of surgical care, including preoperative evaluation, operative technique, postoperative management and critical care.

Training takes place across a diverse range of clinical settings, including Vandalia Health CAMC General Hospital, Memorial Hospital and Women and Children’s Hospital, all located in the heart of Charleston, WV. These institutions offer a high-volume, high-acuity experience that prepares residents for independent practice or competitive fellowship placement.

Residents also have the opportunity to pursue dedicated research time with faculty mentorship and institutional support.

First year

During the first year of residency, trainees complete a series of one-month rotations across a broad range of core general surgery services, establishing a strong foundation in clinical care and surgical technique. PGY-1 residents rotate through trauma, general surgery, colorectal surgery, surgical oncology, acute care surgery, the surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU), vascular surgery, and night float. These experiences are based at both CAMC General and Memorial Hospitals, offering exposure to diverse patient populations and a wide variety of surgical pathology. Interns are actively involved in the initial evaluation and management of patients, documentation and order entry in the electronic medical record, surgical procedures, outpatient clinics and departmental conferences. They also serve as mentors and educators for medical students on service. Throughout the year, PGY-1 residents develop increasing independence in inpatient care and procedural skills, with the goal of performing bedside procedures under indirect supervision by year’s end. On average, residents log over 100 major operative cases during their intern year. Notably, PGY-1 residents do not take home call.

Second year

During the PG-2 year, residents assume increasing clinical independence and take on greater responsibility for patient care. Rotations throughout the year include surgical trauma ICU, night float, acute care surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, and interventional radiology. PGY-2 residents also serve as mentors to interns on several rotations, providing guidance in essential procedures such as line placements, chest tube insertions, biopsies, and dialysis access.  This year also offers enhanced exposure to laparoscopic techniques and more complex general surgery cases. The in-house call schedule varies by rotation, with the majority of shifts covered by night float, while day residents typically cover every other weekend. Additionally, residents begin participating in home call for the pediatric hospital, which occurs approximately every tenth night.

Third year

During the PG-3 year, residents continue to refine their operative skills while assuming a more senior role in patient management and team leadership. Rotations include surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, trauma surgery, general surgery, and night float. These experiences provide increasing responsibility for complex operative cases, multidisciplinary care coordination, and decision-making in both elective and emergency surgical settings. PGY-3 residents lead daily rounds, supervise interns and medical students, and play a key role in teaching procedural and clinical skills. Residents gain further experience with advanced laparoscopic procedures, oncologic surgery, and management of critically ill surgical patients. The year is designed to strengthen operative autonomy, clinical judgment, and leadership abilities in preparation for senior residency responsibilities. On-call responsibilities continue through a combination of night float, home call for the pediatric hospital, and service-specific weekend coverage.

Fourth year

During the PG-4 year, residents function as senior members of the surgical team and take on substantial responsibility for operative planning, perioperative management, and resident education. Rotations include pediatric surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, colorectal surgery, bariatric surgery, trauma surgery, night float, and an elective rotation that allows residents to pursue individual career interests. Senior residents are expected to manage complex surgical patients, coordinate multidisciplinary care, and serve as primary educators for junior residents and students. The elective experience provides an opportunity for focused training in areas such as rural surgery, cardiac surgery, transplant surgery, interventional radiology, or other approved specialties. Throughout the year, residents continue to expand their technical proficiency and operative independence while developing the leadership and administrative skills necessary for chief residency. Call responsibilities vary by service and emphasize supervisory and consultative roles.

Fifth year

The PG-5 year serves as the chief resident year and represents the culmination of surgical training. Residents spend the year on chief-level services including trauma surgery, general surgery, acute care surgery, colorectal surgery, and surgical oncology. In this role, chief residents oversee service operations, coordinate patient care, lead multidisciplinary rounds, and supervise junior residents, interns, and medical students. They are responsible for operative planning, surgical decision-making, and the management of complex and critically ill patients, while performing a high volume of advanced operative procedures with graduated autonomy. Chief residents also play a central role in resident education, quality improvement initiatives, and departmental leadership activities. By the completion of the PGY-5 year, residents are expected to demonstrate the clinical judgment, technical expertise, professionalism, and leadership skills required for independent surgical practice or advanced fellowship training.

Sample block schedule

View sample block schedule diagram

Case volume chart