PGY 4-5 Residents - Surgery Residency Program

When I was evaluating programs for residency, I focused on reputation, post-residency placement, and location of training. Ochsner excelled in all these areas. Its reputation as a strong general surgery program was frequently mentioned by my mentors in medical school. Additionally, Ochsner’s graduates were placed into competitive fellowships as well as directly into practice as general surgeons. This assured me the strength of the program matched the reputation as the residents were confident to enter practice without additional training. Lastly, the opportunities to explore the music, food and outdoors in and around New Orleans is truly unmatched in the United States. I’ve had many great experiences in New Orleans with the Ochsner residents and look forward to many more!

When researching programs and deciding what qualities I was looking for in a residency, I quickly realized that there were plenty of programs that boasted high surgical volumes, diverse patient populations, and broad-based surgical training. However, Ochsner stood out amongst these for its ability to consistently produce confident and competent surgeons who could match into competitive fellowships or go straight into practice at the end of five years of residency. Overall, Ochsner felt like a place where I could learn to be a capable, caring surgeon in the company of people who care for each other as much as they care for their patients.

I chose Ochsner because I wanted a program where I had options. Ochsner will give me the training to either go into fellowship or straight into general surgery practice. I also wanted a group of faculty and co-residents that would be supportive. Throughout the interview process, Ochsner was the only program that I felt like I was not going to be limited.

The 2020 interview season was a new experience for students and programs alike. When researching programs, I knew that I wanted to train at an institution that prides itself in academic rigor, with strong case volumes all the while maintaining a supportive culture between both faculty and residents. It was clearly apparent on my interview day that these were all highly valued here at Ochsner. Since starting, I have been pleased to see how the camaraderie between my fellow co-interns, residents, and faculty lends itself to excellent patient care. As a French major in college, I couldn’t help myself but to be drawn into the rich culture and history of La Nouvelle-Orléans and La Louisiane. I am thrilled to start my training here at Ochsner and know that I will be readily prepared for whatever surgical career path I choose to follow.

Ochsner was an easy choice for me after doing multiple rotations here as a UQ-Ochsner student. I was immediately impressed by the wide variety of pathologies that the residents are exposed to here at Ochsner. As a tertiary referral center, Ochsner gives residents invaluable experience in high level procedures within all areas of surgery. I also appreciate how the program provides the opportunity to spend time training in rural settings each year because this allows the residents to become more confident in assessing and operating on common general surgery pathologies. It was clear to me that the residents here at Ochsner finish as well-rounded general surgeons, prepared for both private practice or fellowship. Adding in the fact that there is a great deal of camaraderie amongst the residents at Ochsner, it makes for a residency program that I am extremely proud to be a part of for the next five years.

Ochsner is a wonderful place to train for a number of reasons. Ochsner has the reputation of graduating confident, skilled, and safe surgeons that are ready to go straight into general surgery practice or land spots in highly competitive subspecialty fellowships all throughout the country. What truly makes Ochsner special is the fact that this high-level training is provided within a culture of camaraderie, support, and mutual respect. The 2020 virtual interview season brought with it new challenges. Many programs struggled to convey their culture in an online format. During my interview with Ochsner, it was immediately clear that these are the kind of people I would be happy to see day in and day out. Ochsner has the operative volume to develop surgical skill, a well-regarded faculty dedicated to nurturing the next generation of surgeons, and a culture any surgical trainee would be lucky to be a part of. On top of that, you get to do it all in one of the most fun cities in America!

I interviewed at Ochsner because of the program's reputation. I chose Ochsner after learning about the breadth and depth of training offered to its residents, starting early in intern year. Through multiple training sites, ranging from the quaternary care offered at Ochsner Medical Center to the rural general surgery rotation in Houma, Ochsner gives its residents the opportunity to pursue competitive fellowships or to go straight into practice as general surgeons, with confidence. This opportunity is only furthered through the friendly and supportive training environment that's fostered by the residents and faculty.

Being born and raised in South Louisiana, the opportunity to remain close to home while receiving excellent surgical training sent Ochsner to the top of my rank list. I thought very highly of the fact that, each year, this program sends residents to competitive fellowships throughout the country while also placing a fair number straight into private practice. The robust surgical case volume as well as the critical care experience were characteristics of this program that I regarded highly. It was apparent during the interview process that there was a strong comradery among the residents, which is very important in this training environment. The staff are all very well-trained and have been approachable since the first day. I couldn’t be happier with the situation that I am in and look forward to the full breadth of surgical training at Ochsner over the next five years.

When I was interviewing and researching different programs a few things became very clear to me about what I wanted in my residency, which is why I was so excited to start my training at Ochsner. I wanted to complete my training somewhere that would enable me to become a competent, skillful surgeon, yet wouldn’t sacrifice a healthy atmosphere for learning. The general surgery residency at Ochsner offers its residents abundant and varied surgical volume, all the while maintaining a positive, team-oriented learning environment. This was obvious as I saw the relationships between residents of different years as well as with attendings, who all offered help and give guidance whenever it was needed. And while I’m not sure if I want to pursue fellowship training yet, I know that regardless of my decision I will be prepared for whatever path I want to take in the future as a result of my training and the opportunities available here at Ochsner. The amazing city of New Orleans is icing on the cake, too!

Ochsner was an easy sell for me once I found that the program's priorities and values aligned with mine and I would get to live in the wonderful city of New Orleans. Ochsner has a proven track record of molding excellent, confident general surgeons as well as preparing residents to thrive in fellowships after graduation. This flexibility was a must for me. Additionally, the culture at Ochsner is centered around teamwork and respect. This creates an optimal learning and working environment. When we are not working, we have one of the most entertaining cities in the nation to explore, relax, and have fun in.

I knew that I wanted to be at a program with a high operative volume, independence, and residents with whom I would get along. I found these attributes at Ochsner, with an added realization that there is a dedication to constantly improve the program for the residents. I am confident that Ochsner will equip me with the tools necessary to constantly improve as a surgeon both during and after residency. Living in the neighborly, storied, vibrant city of New Orleans is also an undeniable enjoyment.

When looking for the type of residency I wanted to be a part of, three qualities were at the top of my list: high surgical volume, a strong academic program, and a supportive culture. Ochsner easily has all three and it is evident from the first second you step through the doors. The camaraderie among the residents is like no other and the support from the faculty is superb. From the minute you start, you are an important part of the team and given the opportunity to step up and perform as such. You will be taught how to be an excellent surgeon here and Ochsner has the track record to back that statement up. The Program Director (Dr. Fuhrman) is wonderful and sets a great tone for this program. He is always striving to see how the program can improve and works closely with the residents to make sure they are a part of the planning team. New Orleans is a fantastic city to live in and will surprise you in the best way possible with its amazing culture, food, and people. I feel incredibly blessed to be here at such an amazing program.

After an away rotation at Ochsner during medical school, I knew immediately where I wanted to be. This program provides the complex case load and opportunity for clinical research as seen in the larger academic systems, and combines this with the operative experience, autonomy, and individualized training of smaller, community-style programs. Specialty rotations such as transplant, pediatric surgery, and surgical oncology are all in-house, and the critical care training is incredible. The people here at Ochsner are second to none and made the decision to train here an easy one. We study under esteemed surgeons and staff, and with a group of residents that make you feel at home. Not to mention getting to do all of this in a city as special as New Orleans! Ochsner is an incredible place, and I feel confident that my training here will provide a solid platform for whichever type of surgical career I choose to pursue.

My name is Darby, I’m originally from South Carolina. I went to undergrad at the University of South Carolina and then did Medical School in Charleston, SC at MUSC. This has been my biggest move thus far and I am so happy to call New Orleans my home. Interview season for me had a lot to do with gut feelings - and when I came to Ochsner my experience interviewing won me over. Our training is broad and thorough, the leadership here inspires me to be better and work harder. And just as importantly - the people truly like each other and their jobs. As a plus, this city is so diverse and has such a beautiful culture - people, food, music, art. I’m excited to see what the next years have in store.