Mission

The Tripler Army Medical Center General Surgery Residency Program educates and trains physicians in General Surgery to serve this nation by providing outstanding surgical care in forward, remote locations, as well as by caring for active duty members and their dependents, retirees, and veterans here in the United States. Upon completion of this training program, residents have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to enter autonomous practice, are capable of passing board certification examinations, and are able to conduct the practice of general surgery in the United States and abroad. The General Surgery Program's mission nests within the organization's mission "To be the Premier Healthcare System of Choice, Harmonizing Readiness and Healthcare across the Pacific".

Vision

Ensures provision of safe and effective patient care. Develops Resident’s skills, knowledge, and attitude. Provides foundation for continued professional growth.

Aims

• Produce well rounded general surgeons who are ready for independent practice, fellowship, and deployment.
• Educate residents on the importance of surgical research and learn how to apply lessons learned to the military health system.
• Develop Army officers who are ready to be integrated into their future assigned positions.

Didactic Activities

• Morning report
• Lectures
• Journal Club
• Morbidity and Mortality
• Junior and Senior Resident SCORE Curriculum
• Simulation Lab

Required Exams

USMLE/COMLEX

• Residents must take their USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 during the intern year before November. 
• Study materials are provided through the GME office.

ABSITE (American Board of Surgery In Training Exam)

• All residents take annually in January. Residents receive mentorship on establishing a study plan.
• The program supports residents by providing access to study materials.

*Surgical Subspecialties: Vascular, Plastics, CT Surgery, Neurosurgery

No elective rotations offered.

• TAMC: There is a night float system at TAMC.
• Outside rotations: 24 hour call every four to five days.

• Residents have the choice to attend C4 (Combat Casualty Care Course) in their first year of residency.
• During Research year residents are encouraged to train for and complete military schools offered by our Company such as Air Assault, Expert Field Medical Badge, Jungle school among others.
• In the final year of the program chief residents attend ASSET+ course (Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma) to help them bridge into practice and future deployments.

All General Surgery Residents will complete training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Tripler has a simulation center which can be used by residents to master suturing, trauma management and to advance their medical and surgical skills. Our simulation curriculum is run by Dr. Chan Park (Minimally Invasive Surgeon) with a dedicated Sim activity once a month.

The program is structured so that each year, residents have a graduated level of responsibility. PGY 5s are expected to be able to operate autonomously and lead their respective multidisciplinary teams.

The General Surgery Program has a dedicated research year between the second and third years of the program. Basic science research is performed with the Department of Clinical Investigation (DCI) located on the Tripler campus. Clinical science research (retrospective and database studies) are conducted with Tripler surgical faculty. The research year also has a dedicated 26 week research curriculum. Research residents are expected to publish at least one paper as first author and present one abstract at a national meeting.

We offer several Quality Improvement activities including: 

• Monthly Trauma PIPs  
• Weekly Morbidity & Mortality Conference  
• Ability to participate on various QIP committees during research year
• Department QIP participation

The Tripler General Surgery program has built-in professional development lectures.

• Tripler Army Medical Center - Honolulu, Hawaii
• Kaiser Permanente Moanalua - Honolulu, Hawaii
• The Queen’s Medical Center - Honolulu, Hawaii
• Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children - Honolulu, Hawaii
• Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, Louisiana
• LA General Medical Center - Los Angeles, California
• Brooke Army Medical Center - San Antonio, Texas

• Applicants are advised to reach out to schedule interview rotations as early as possible.
• We welcome students who are enthusiastic to read and learn during their audition rotations.
• Students will receive a list of faculty to reach out to interview with during their audition rotation.

The General Surgery Residency conducts virtual interviews annually in September. Students interested in virtual interviews should reach out via email to be added to our list.

• American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam & Certifying Exam are taken upon graduation from the program.
• We have a 100% pass rate for the last 5 years.
• Chiefs are supported through the entire application process.
• Study materials and 1:1 review are provided.
• Mock Oral Exams: Three times per year senior residents participate in mock oral board exams to hone skills specific to oral examination prior to the ABS oral boards.

• The program is structured such that teaching occurs on every level between residents and medical student rotators.
• The resident lectures give a formal opportunity for residents to teach.

• Colon & Rectal Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Trauma/Critical Care
• Vascular Surgery
• Plastics Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery

Senior residents are mentored by senior faculty members and junior residents are mentored by junior faculty. The first Wednesday of the month the residency has a meeting to discuss all business related to the residency, during this meeting residents also receive mentorship and guidance from program leadership.

First Wednesdays

The first Wednesday of every month, the residents and staff participate in an ultimate frisbee game.

Fifth Wednesdays

Every fifth Wednesday throughout the year, all residents participate in resiliency activities. Activities have included: boating to the K-bay sandbar, paintball, surf park, golf, bowling, beach days & sailboat cruise.

Anonymous End of Year Survey & Faculty Reviews

Our Program Director and Associate Program Directors have open door policies however residents are given multiple routes for communicating feedback to the program anonymously.