PGY 1
Univ. of N. Dakota
Placing Ochsner at the top of my rank list was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. Having rotated here as a student I got to experience firsthand the amazing rigor of the program; residents were operating at a skill level far beyond what I thought possible. On top of that, everyone I encountered, from the residents to attendings to faculty at the hospital were welcoming and warm, making me instantly feel at home even though as a North Dakota girl I was thousands of miles from home. Although I’m early in my surgical training I already know that by choosing Ochsner I’ve made the best choice a surgeon could make.
Univ. of Tennessee
I chose Ochsner after rotating here for a month as a visiting medical student. During my time at the hospital, I was highly impressed with all aspects of the residency program. The city of New Orleans is fantastic, and both faculty and fellow residents are collegial and supportive of one another. There is a high volume of cases and plenty of educational support. These aspects of the program provide great opportunities to learn grow as a surgeon. I could not be happier with my choice for residency, and I'm looking forward to an exciting journey over the next few years.
Hofstra Northwell
I chose Ochsner because it had exactly what I was looking for in a program: good operative experience and opportunities to pursue my academic interests. All too often on the interview trail I encountered programs that had one or the other. At Ochsner, I know at the end of five years I will be a safe and competent general surgeon and if I choose to, I will be able to pursue the fellowship of my choice. Perhaps even more importantly, the people at Ochsner were what really sold me on the program. The culture here is one that is conducive to learning. As an intern, my upper levels want me to succeed and go out of their way to make me better. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Mercer Univ.
I was lucky to be able to rotate at Ochsner as a fourth-year medical student. I realized how wonderful this program is - great operative experience, faculty truly invested in resident education, and most importantly, happy residents. I moved from Atlanta but already feel so at home here in NOLA!
Univ. of Alabama
I chose Ochsner because I wanted a program that had a high volume of general surgery while still providing opportunities to operate in highly specialized cases. Residents leave here with the case numbers to be a technically sound general surgeon, and the resumé to enter competitive fellowships. Additionally, I have found this program to be very close knit and New Orleans has been an incredible city to spend time in outside of work!
Mercer University
Ochsner is an incredible place to train. When I went through the recruitment process I had four criteria to judge each program: location, reputation, exposure, and culture. As far as location goes, New Orleans speaks for itself. I’m excited to experience Voodoo Fest, Jazz Fest, and (of course) Mardi Gras this year! Apart from location, Ochsner has an impeccable reputation for surgical training. Our program is respected nationwide and widely known for excellence in transplant surgery and surgical oncology. Ochsner graduates finish with a high number of liver and pancreas cases. Finally, the residents clearly enjoyed being around each other. Each day I feel that sense of comradery and am thankful I chose Ochsner. I’m ecstatic to be here and can’t wait to see what the next five years bring!
Geo. Washington Univ.
I chose Ochsner because I believe in the mission of this institution and know that it will train me to become the most well rounded, compassionate, effective surgeon I can be. The Ochsner values of service, healing, leadership, education and innovation speak to the career I am seeking as a future physician leader. I am so happy to be in New Orleans!
Univ. of Florida
Even in the beginning of intern year, operating time is clearly an imperative expectation rather than a reward, the days can be long but getting the privilege to see a patient from pre-op, through the case and to the floor to answer all their questions and concerns, ultimately makes you realize that there isn't anything else that could match the comfort you could provide. People place themselves in the care of your team and that evolution from watching the superficial motions as a student to being on the front line in answering the pages and placing the orders can make you feel the power of a patient's trust that you are beholden to. As a tertiary care teaching institution, there will always be someone higher up in house to call and rely on so yes, you will be pushing your own boundaries here, but there will also be the constant comfort in knowing that everyone will protect the patient. Any number of programs can train you to be competent, but already I am grateful to be a part of Ochsner who, in an inordinately brief period has demonstrated that they are invested in honing us all, both professionally and personally.
Univ. of Miami
Ochsner was number one on my rank list for myriad reasons. The culture is positive. Patients are treated with respect and humanity. The staff and upper level residents are committed to teaching in a supportive environment. The patient population is diverse with a wide range of pathology. We get a month of rural surgery experience in Houma each year. We are trained to be competitive for fellowship as well as to be able to practice general surgery after residency. Bigger picture, the Ochsner Clinic is on the vanguard of changes affecting healthcare in the US. Its outcomes, as measured by IBM Watson Health, are reliably in the top 15 among large teaching hospitals in the country. I am thrilled to be at a place so committed to improving care for its patients, and to help in that effort. New Orleans, with its rich history, food and culture is wonderful. Time off feels like going on vacation, and I can continue my other love besides surgery -- sailing -- on the surrounding waters!
Univ. of S. Carolina
When interviewing for surgical residency, I was searching for a program that would train me to be an excellent general surgeon while also affording me the opportunity me to pursue a competitive surgical fellowship if I so chose. I was captivated by Ochsner, not to mention the amazing food, jazz, and soulful culture of New Orleans. I ultimately chose Ochsner for its great surgery reputation, the engaged faculty and staff, and the fun and collegiate atmosphere among the residents.
Univ. of Tennessee
I chose Ochsner after I did an away rotation during my fourth year of medical school. Ochsner is undergoing a lot of growth as a health system, which has allowed for the hiring of new faculty from a variety of subspecialties. The span of subspecialties will prove to be an invaluable resource for well-rounded training. I am impressed by the complex and varied caseload that the residents get to participate in, which will leave them well-prepared to practice on their own. During my away rotation, I appreciated the supportive environment among the faculty and residents. In addition, you can’t find a better place to live than New Orleans.
PGY 2
Tulane University
As a Philadelphia native, who moved to New Orleans for medical school at Tulane, I was captivated by the city's unique charm and personality early on. In choosing a surgical residency, Ochsner’s program had everything I was looking for: ample, high quality, operative volume (even early on), a supportive community of fellow residents, and fantastic faculty mentors from which to learn and work with. When it came time to make my rank list, it was an easy decision to put a great program in the city I fell in love with at the top, and I could not be happier.
Mercer University
I did an away rotation at Ochsner and immediately felt at home. I knew the program attracted residents who were dedicated, well rounded, and personable - and I am beyond thrilled to now be a part of such an outstanding group. All of the faculty and fellows are so supportive and truly devoted to training and teaching the next generation of surgeons. The overall culture is extremely open, inclusive and hands on, and I cannot think of a better place to train for five years. Plus New Orleans is amazing!
University of North Dakota
The first thing that struck me when interviewing here was the obvious care that the staff had for providing excellent education to the resident in a positive environment. Each attending and resident I have worked with strives to challenge me in my knowledge of surgery as well as my technical skills in a constructive way. I chose Ochsner because it not only gave me the opportunity to be in a rigorous academic community where I can pursue any fellowship I choose but it also offered a supportive environment with a great group of residents and staff that challenge and support each other. From journal clubs to OR experiences to managing patients on the floor, you will see a breadth of pathology and learn from attendings and other residents how to be an excellent surgeon and compassionate physician.
University of Louisville
I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and I also went to medical school at the University of Louisville. I chose Ochsner because of the great reputation this program has for surgery. There are many leaders in the field of surgery working here and educating residents on the most up to date treatments and procedures, which shows in the apparent skill level of the residents. This program has already proven to be very welcoming, and all the residents and staff are always willing to help. On top of all that, the city of New Orleans is a diverse and exciting city and there is always something fun to do or something new to try.
LSU - New Orleans
As a future Navy surgeon, my wish list for a program focused on a team mentality and excellence in training. I remember Ochsner standing out on my interview trail for residents who were friendly and enjoyed each other's company, even at work. The program's commitment to general surgery as a potential career, and not just a preamble to a fellowship, was equally as impressive. We hope you get the chance to visit our city and experience a bit of the amazing culture both in and out of the hospital.
University of South Alabama
I chose Ochsner for many different reasons. Most importantly, I wanted a program that would train me to be a great general surgeon while also preparing me for any fellowships I may want to pursue in the future. Being from Mobile, AL, I was also looking to stay close to my family. Lastly, I’ve always enjoyed the culture and diversity of New Orleans so choosing to do my training here was an easy decision to make.
PGY 3
LSU - Shreveport
Growing up in Louisiana, Ochsner was synonymous with surgical excellence. Having rotated here as a 4th year medical student, I was able to see first-hand the large case volume and the level of autonomy that the residents had here at Ochsner. That experience made the decision to come here for my surgical training an easy one. Aside from the great educational opportunity, the city of New Orleans was another big drawing factor for me with all of its food, music, and culture.
University of North Carolina
Ochsner is an ideal place to train for a career in surgery. The residents share a strong sense of camaraderie, the staff is truly invested in our education and we get to experience an impressive variety and volume of operative cases. Despite being far from my family in North Carolina, I feel that I have a new family here amongst my fellow residents. New Orleans is the perfect location for a surgical residency program because there is so much to do during my time off.
Oregon Health & Science
I chose Ochsner because I was impressed with the operative experience and diversity of the patient population. I like that the program is small enough to know each resident personally but large enough to provide opportunities in any surgical specialty. I moved here from Oregon and have enjoyed spending time with my fellow residents around New Orleans!
LSU - New Orleans
Raised in New Orleans, the opportunity to train in proximity to family and friends was appealing. After doing an away rotation as a fourth year, I experienced how unique Ochsner’s surgery program truly is. It is a smaller, tight knit program, with a broad range of high volume operative experience, and a level of autonomy that is increasingly rare across the country. I could not be happier with the decision to train at Ochsner!
University of Kansas
When deciding on a residency, my top priorities included a good operative experience, the ability at the end of five years to choose general surgery or a subspecialty, and a program that truly cares about its residents. After a little bit of research the first two priorities were evident. Coming to Ochsner would provide me with the experience I would need to have any career path I would choose. The last priority was shown to be true during my interview. Meeting with faculty, residents, and especially Dr. Fuhrman (the program director), it was clear that this program truly cares about its residents and what is best for them. If I had the opportunity to go back to match day I would not change a thing.
Mercer University
I chose to come to Ochsner after completing an away rotation here during my fourth year of med school. I was blown away by the diverse training experience that Ochsner has to offer. As a large referral center, with few fellowships, residents have the opportunity to gain ample experience in complex procedures that many other programs simply cannot match. Also, having the chance to spend significant time each year in a rural setting allows us to gain confidence as general surgeons. Overall, I have found Ochsner residents well-prepared for private practice, while remaining a good candidate for competitive fellowships. Of course, being in New Orleans doesn’t hurt either.
LSU - New Orleans
Being from the New Orleans area, I wanted to stay in South Louisiana for my residency. I was able to experience Ochsner during my fourth year when I rotated here. I was impressed with the camaraderie of the residents, the competency of the senior residents and the complexity of surgical cases. I knew this was a place I wanted to train and was blessed with the opportunity to train here.
PGY 4
LSU - Shreveport
I chose Ochsner because it has an impressive history and a bright future. All of my co-residents are great, and New Orleans is an incredible place to live. This program can get me to anywhere I want to be. There's not much more you can ask for.
USF Health Morsani
College of Medicine
I chose Ochsner because of the people at this program. Everyone was very open about the program, the experience, and the training. I felt that if I came here I would have the opportunity to excel in any of the surgical fields and would be a valued member of the team. Ochsner is a first rate residency program in a fantastic city. There is no better place to come work and live!
University of Queensland
I chose Ochsner because I rotated here as a student and had a great experience with both faculty and residents. Everyone was friendly and had an obvious passion for teaching and education. It was also evident that the residents got a lot of critical care exposure during their residency and were very comfortable taking care of the sickest patients, along with getting a lot of OR time.
Medical University of
South Carolina
I chose Ochsner because I wanted to train at hospital where I would learn the clinical and technical skills to care for and treat patients. I also wanted to be part of an institution that was growing and expanding every day; one that would afford me new and interesting opportunities as my training progressed. Lastly, I wanted all of the above all while being in a city as culturally diverse as this one.
LSU - Shreveport
Born and raised in New Orleans, coming to Ochsner meant returning home, back to the hospital that I had run around in as a child. The character of the physicians, the opportunities provided, and the mentality of the hospital is exactly what I wanted and hoped for in my training over the next 5 years.
PGY 5
University of Texas at Houston
I am a fifth year who trained at UT Houston Medical School. I chose Ochsner due to the high quality, high operative volume, as well as motivated staff that I met during my interview. Over the last year, I have enjoyed these same aspects of this program. My fellow house staff are incredibly helpful and promote an environment of healthy learning.
University of Louisville
I'm from New York City and went to the University of Louisville for medical school. I chose Ochsner for the variety and volume of operative experience and couldn't be happier with both.
LSU - Shreveport
My name is Justin LeGros and I chose the Ochsner Program because of the great surgical training offered and its proximity to my hometown, Metairie, LA. This program gives you exposure to far exceed the necessary case numbers and provides an opportunity to see some of the more complex patients given its status as a tertiary referral center. What I like best is that the program provides the opportunity to either immediately practice general surgery with confidence or match into a competitive fellowship of choice. Due to my being new to the general surgery world, I have yet to have a truly great accomplishment to date, but I imagine this will change soon as my experience grows.
George Washington University
I was born in Brooklyn, NY but grew up abroad. I chose Ochsner because of the size of the program, location and case volume. Also my mentor in medical school highly recommended the program. Being here now, I truly enjoy working with many of the faculty and residents. People are very welcoming, helpful and it is always a great time when the residents get to hang out together. Residency is flying by and I am grateful for all the training I've received thus far. It has been truly a humbling experience.
University of Kansas
I came down to Ochsner from Kansas with my cat. I am a Jayhawk (Rock Chalk!); I graduated from KU's hybrid community-university program and was looking for something similar in my residency program. At Ochsner, the residents get great operative experience with the high case volumes of a private institution but are also exposed to the complexity of cases that a major referral center draws. I also fell in love with the vibrant city of New Orleans. I am currently eating my way through the book "Eat Dat”, a review of New Orleans' best restaurants.
Univ. Autònoma de Barcelona
I'm originally from Barcelona and did my medical school at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. I decided to pursue my career as a surgeon in the US and had my first two years of training at Yale in New Haven as a prelim, and transferred to Ochsner as a third year categorical resident. My program director, my co residents and all the staff made my transition smooth and easy. Ochsner residency is a hidden diamond. There is a great environment with camaraderie between residents and attendings, great autonomy in the OR and a very complete clinical experience with exposure to a wide variety of complicated and challenging diseases. Surgeons are keen to teach and there are many opportunities for research. In summary I feel very fortunate and happy to be training in Ochsner.
Research Fellowship
Brody School of Medicine
at East Carolina University
Three main reasons why I chose Ochsner Clinic for residency: living in NOLA is awesome, I am getting the best surgical training in the country, and I have opportunities to fulfill my career ambitions. I am going to be a Pediatric Surgeon. I have ongoing research projects with the Pediatric Surgeons at Ochsner. After my third year of clinical training, I joined the Burn/Trauma/Pediatric Surgery research lab of Dr. Steven Moulton at Children’s Colorado to continue making myself competitive for the pediatric surgery match. I can safely say after speaking with surgical residents across the country my clinical/operative experience has far surpassed anything they have done in terms of autonomy and volume. I have done anastomosis of the great vessels in a heart transplantation and have had “autonomy” in the operating room that makes me confident when I graduate I could practice general surgery without need of a “transition to practice year”. If I had to make a rank list again, no question Ochsner would be #1.
Recent Graduates
2017-18
S. Baker
Colon & Rectal Fellowship - Ochsner Health System
S. Hosein
MIS Fellowship - University of Nebraska
J. Schoen
Critical Care Fellowship - UMC
B. Scott
General Surgery Practice - Lake Wales, Florida
W. Seale
General Practice Surgery - Sulphur, LA
2016-17
J. Babin
LSU Surgical Critical Care
N. Bolton
Mt Sinai Surgical Oncology
K. Chiasson
Plastic Surgery
J. Hebert
General Surgery Practice Monroe, LA
S. Talebinejad
LSU Surgical Critical Care
S. Tanaka
Plastic Surgery Summa Health Ohio
2015-16
B. Champagne
Colorectal Surgery Atlanta, GA
M. Factor
Yale Surgical Critical Care
K. Jakob
General Surgery Baton Rouge, LA
G. Menard
MIS – University Missouri Kansas City
W. Terral
Hand Surgery – U Mississippi
2014-15
B. Hamby
U.C Davis – Vascular Surgery
N. Lyons
General Surgery Houma, LA
B. Martinez
LSU Surgical Critical Care
A. Rivere
Breast Surgical Oncology U Arkansas
2013-14
G. Caton
Baylor University Medical Center Dallas – Colorectal Surgery
A. Heidt
Transplant Surgery University Pennsylvania
E, Wolfe
Plastic Surgery Tulane
N. Zea
Vascular Surgery Ochsner
2012-13
D. Bourgeois
General Surgery Baton Rouge, LA
M. Do
Vascular Surgery UT Memphis
A. Gridley
MIS – San Antonio
A. Turbeville
General Surgery Myrtle Beach, SC
H. Urrego
MIS - Emory
