Residency: Third Year - Research
For most residents, the third year serves as a dedicated time to participate in research. This non-compulsory opportunity represents part of the scholarly environment required by both the ACGME-Residency Review Committee for Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Currently there are active research laboratories in Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, Transplantation, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Surgical Oncology and General Vascular Surgery. A research facility for the Department of Surgery was completed on the fifth floor of Emerson Hall in 1988 and significantly enhanced bench research capabilities. Additional research space for the Department of Surgery was constructed in the Medical Research facility next to the Library. This facility contains five large animal operating rooms dedicated to the Department of Surgery and houses the Department of Surgery Center for Advanced Surgical Technology. The Pediatric Surgical Research facility at Riley Hospital was expanded and refurbished in 1994. A microvascular laboratory that has laser technology capability is also available. The Surgical Research Laboratory houses virtual reality endoscopy, minimally invasive surgical simulators, vascular access systems and ultrasonography and is a major part of the teaching program. Additional surgical research space is being developed at Wishard Hospital. Research may be carried out in any of the laboratories on campus or at an off-campus site with proper supervision including the NIH, NCI or appropriate research facilities at other universities approved by the faculty.
The Department of Surgery has eight Ph.D.s and three research scientists on the full-time faculty and has recently developed immunology, molecular biology and genetics research capability. For residents keenly interested in an academic career, a second or even a third year of research can be arranged. The research residents have been quite productive, and usually present their work at regional and national meetings, and publish their research in quality, peer-reviewed journals.
