Residencies
General Surgery Residency
The Washington University General Surgery Residency was among the first surgical training programs in the country to begin reshaping a century-old model of teaching residents how to perform surgery. Residents were traditionally taught under the “See One, Do One, Teach One” method: observe a surgery, replicate it with limited guidance, and, later, teach it. Almost 20 years ago, the Washington University residency introduced a skills and simulation lab that allowed trainees to learn some technical skills at their own pace. More recently, its educators have been at the forefront of these activities:
- Early specialization programs
- Flexibility in Surgical Training with more focused training in the resident’s surgical specialty of choice
- Training models incorporating more evaluation and feedback
- Involvement in national surgical curriculum development
Program Leadership
Professor of Surgery Paul Wise, MD, is program director of the residency, which began in 1919 and remains one of the top surgical residency programs in the United States. Five associate program directors support Wise by offering expertise in specific areas of surgical education and engaging residents on a daily basis. The department faculty — many of whom have been or are leaders of national organizations — also enthusiastically embrace their roles as teachers and mentors.
Research
The department has strong basic science research, but residents are not limited to laboratory work in their research years. They can engage in clinical or translational research or earn advanced degrees in public health or business administration.
International Rotation
The residency’s newest addition is a rotation at Mzuzu Central Hospital in Malawi, Africa, a resource-limited hospital that serves the needs of nearly 2.5 million citizens. Residents care for a wide range of adult and pediatric surgical patients, performing more than 100 cases during this two-month rotation.
Resident Involvement
Residents have many opportunities at an annual retreat to offer input on managing the educational curriculum and improving the program. A social outing at the retreat is among several annual activities that bring residents together.
Program director: Paul Wise, MD
Plastic Surgery Residency
Vilray Blair, MD — one of the founders of the plastic surgery specialty — initially developed the training program at Washington University School of Medicine in the early 20th century. The residency is a six-year integrated program, including 4 ½ years of plastic surgery training in breast, craniofacial, pediatrics, head/neck trauma, hand, microsurgery, cosmetic and peripheral nerve surgery. Residents also complete rotations in all the general surgery experiences required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and subspecialty rotations in oculoplastics, surgical dermatology, orthopedic trauma and anesthesia. Training takes place at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, Christian Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Program director: Marissa Tenenbaum, MD
Urology Residency
The Urology Residency has a long and distinguished history in preparing graduates for careers in urologic surgery, dating to 1910. Today, urology residents are exposed to a volume and diversity of surgical cases that is among the highest for urologic residency programs. The program places major emphasis on technological innovation. Residents complete four years, as well as an additional intern year, performing rotations at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the VA St. Louis Health Care System and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
Program director: Erica Traxel, MD
Vascular Surgery Residency
The Vascular Surgery Residency is a five-year program for medical school graduates who decide to focus exclusively on vascular surgery, endovascular surgery and the management of patients with vascular disease. The program has full accreditation and graduated its first resident in 2017. The section also offers a vascular surgery fellowship for postgraduate trainees who decide to specialize in vascular surgery during their general surgery residency.
Program director: Jeffrey Jim, MD, MPHS
Fellowships
Advanced Gastrointestinal/Minimally Invasive Surgery
Program director: L. Michael Brunt, MD
Breast Disease Fellowship
Program director: Julie Margenthaler, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship
Program director: Marc Moon, MD
Colorectal Surgery Fellowship
Program director: Steven Hunt, MD
Hand, Nerve and Microsurgery Fellowship
Program director: Amy Moore, MD
Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery Fellowship
Program director: William Hawkins, MD
Minimally Invasive Urology Fellowship
Clinical fellowship director: R. Sherburne Figenshau, MD
Research fellowship director: Ramakrishna Venkatesh, MD
Pediatric Urology Fellowship
Program director: Douglas Coplen, MD
Surgical Critical Care Fellowship
Program director: Douglas Schuerer, MD
Transplant Surgery Fellowship
Program director: M.B. Majella Doyle, MD, MBA
Vascular Surgery Fellowship
Program director: Jeffrey Jim, MD, MPHS