General Surgery Residency

Recruitment, Eligibility & Selection
Medical students interested in applying for Categorical residency training in General Surgery should be familiar with the following policy regarding recruitment, eligibility, and selection.

Recruitment:
Goal: To recruit and train physicians committed to excellence in General Surgery who:

A. Will promote, practice, and respect the mission of Florida Hospital.
B. Will be compassionate providers of whole person care.

Means:
I. Recruit through ERAS and participate in NRMP selection process.
II. Provide pertinent summary of the program through Florida Hospital's Graduate Medical Education website.
III. Offer Clinical Clerkships to medical students from affiliated medical schools and other accredited medical schools on a case by case basis.

Applicant Eligibility:

I. Medical School Diploma

A. LCME (Liason Committee of Medical Education) graduates:

1. Eligible for Doctor of Medicine diploma without reservations
2. Dean's Letter
3. Letter from residency program director (if applicable)
4. Successfully passed USMLE I and USMLE II (United States Medical Licensing Examination) at first attempt with a score of 207-209(85)
   i. Transcript directly from the FSMB (Federation of State Medical Boards)
5. Acceptable explanation of any break in education (if applicable)
6. Demonstrated written and spoken fluency in English language
7. Proof of Citizenship or resident alien status as required by Florida Hospital Human Resources

B. AOA graduates:

1. Eligible for Doctor of Osteoplathy diploma without reservations
2. Dean's Letter
3. Letter from residency program director (if applicable)
4. Successfully passed USMLE Step I and II or COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examinations) Level I and II at first attempt with a minimum score of: USMLE: 207-209(85) or COMLEX: 520(85)
   i. Transcript directly from the NBOME (National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners)
5. Internship year in Osteopathic Program (required by Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine and the American Osteopathic Association) or AOA-approved waiver
6. Acceptable explanation of any break in education (if applicable)
7. Demonstrated written and spoken fluency in English language
8. Proof of citizenship or resident alien status as required by Florida Hospital Human resources

II. ERAS Application

A. Completed application through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) through the AAMC (American Association of Medical Colleges) and participation in the NRMP (National Resident Match Program) match.

• On-line application
• Personal statement
• CV
• Transcript
• Dean's letter
• Three letters of recommendation by surgeons
• USMLE/COMLEX scores, Part I and II (USMLE preferred)
• Photograph

III. Reasons for Ineligibility

A. Applicant does not demonstrate sufficient commitment to the specialty of General Surgery (included but not limited to:

1. No advanced-level electives during medical school
2. No letters of support from surgeons

B. Applicant did not present favorable impression to faculty, resident physicians and/or residency coordinator during elective time or interview process at Florida Hospital.

C. Quality of interaction during preliminary contact with staff suggests incompatibility with the mission and values of Florida Hospital.

D. Quality of personal statement (content, typographical and grammatical errors), including no obvious commitment to General Surgery

E. Limited verbal and written English skills, including the inability to write clearly and legibly

IV. Non-eligible candidates may not be offered an interview or accepted into Florida Hospital Graduate Medical Education residencies (see exception in #VII)

V. Applicants must have successfully participated in formal clinical training, medical school, residency training, or full-time clinical practice within the last 24 months (from date of application to the residency program).

VI. A personal interview at the Florida Hospital General Surgery program is required for applicants who wish to be considered for a residency position.

VII. The Program Director may permit the waiver of one or more of these requirements under special circumstances.

Selection:
I. Applicant must complete the ERAS application process.

II. Application must be complete by November 15th annually and applicant must meet eligibility requirements in order to be considered for interview.

III. When application is complete in ERAS, the file will be downloaded and reviewed by the selection committee.

IV. If interview is offered, applicant will be contacted via letter, telephone, email, or through the ERAS post-office and applicant will be instructed to contac the Medical Education office to arrange an appointment.

V. Interview will take place between mid-November and early February, and must be in person ath the Florida Hospital General Surgery Residency Program office.

VI. The interview process is conducted as follows:

A. The applicant reports to the General Surgery Medical Education office at 7:00 AM.
B. The applicant is interviewed by: The Program Director, the Behavioral Scientist, select General Surgery Faculty and subspecialty preceptors and select current residents.
C. The applicant tours Florida Hospital General Surgery Department and facilities and has lunch with a group of our residents.

VII. Each interview completes an evaluation form which includes four areas:

1. Professional direction
2. Personal characteristics and interpersonal communication skills
3. Clinical competence
4. Overall potential as a resident in our program

The scores are calculated and summarized (Interview Composite Score)

VIII. The files are reviewed and screened by the Program Director and Residency Coordinator. The following criteria are utilized:

A. Personal statment
B. Transcript score
C. Dean's Letter
D. USMLE scores
E. Letters of recommendation
F. Input from resident interaction with applicant

IX. All applicants who have been interviewed will be reviewed for ranking by the selection committee made up of faculty and resident leaders in early February with the resident rank list taken into account.

X. The Program Director will contact applicants to determine continued level of interest and to answer any questions. The rank order list will be compiled and submitted to the NRMP. The Match list is at the discretion of the Program Director and is confidential.

XI. new residents who have matched will be sent a Letter of Intent from the Program Director not later than the Friday after the Match, and the GME Office will send the contract, and other required documents within two weeks. Required docments will include a Resident Manual, GME Manual, malpractice application, training license application and vacation request form.

XII. Orientation schedules, dates and requirements are sent to the new residnets as soon as available.