PGY 1-3 Residents - Surgery Residency Program

My passion for Interventional Radiology has always been fueled by the complexity and breadth of pathologies that IR physicians manage. During interview season, Ochsner's IR residency program stood out because it offered everything I was looking for, a high-volume case experience, early autonomy, a collegial environment that fosters both personal and professional growth, and exposure to a wide variety of disease processes. It was also apparent during my interview how genuinely happy and well supported the residents were, and how committed the program is to help them become the physicians they aspire to be. Combined with the unique culture and charm of New Orleans, Ochsner felt like the ideal place for me to grow and build the foundation for my future career. 

When I first came to Ochsner, I was a medical student with a dream of matching into surgery. From the moment I walked through the doors of the surgery clinic, I was welcomed by a team that made me feel valued and inspired. Now, returning as a resident, I am grateful to walk through those same doors every day, energized by the people who continue to motivate me to become the best version of myself. Ochsner is an exceptional program where you will find outstanding role models, a supportive environment, and a genuine sense of family.

Choosing Ochsner for residency felt like the natural choice. I spent my final two years of medical school here through the University of Queensland–Ochsner program, and I found myself constantly gravitating toward the surgery department. I knew surgery was the specialty for me, but it was the people who made me want to stay. The faculty are incredible surgeons and teachers who are invested in helping you become the best surgeon you can be. The sense of community the residents fostered made it clear that Ochsner was the kind of environment where I wanted to train. On top of that, getting to live in New Orleans is a huge bonus—there's always something to do, amazing food around every corner, and an energy that makes it a great place to call home.

When I applied for residency, I wanted to live somewhere new. When I interviewed with Ochsner I loved that even being virtual, I could tell how well the residents got along and knew I could find a home away from home. It was also clear that the faculty are very invested in resident education and care about our well-being. As someone interested in pursuing fellowship training, I could also tell that Ochsner would prepare me well given the success of their graduates in securing competitive fellowships. At the same time, if I decide to go directly into practice, Ochsner is a program that prepares its residents to be competent general surgeons ready for independent practice. As someone who loves blues and warm weather, New Orleans had its own special appeal!

When I was considering residency programs, I knew I wanted a program where I could gain meaningful early operative experience while training alongside people who genuinely care about one another. On my interview day with Ochsner, it was immediately clear that not only did the residents truly get along and support each other, but they had great relationships with their attendings too, fostering an environment that encourages residents to grow and challenge themselves. Ochsner stood out to me as the kind of environment where I would not only be pushed to be the best surgeon I can be, but I would be supported and encouraged along the way. Being able to train in New Orleans, with its incredible food, culture, and community, made Ochsner feel like the perfect place to spend the next chapter of my life.

Growing up on the Northshore, Ochsner has always been a place where I've experienced outstanding, exceptional care as a patient. Those experiences helped shape the kind of surgeon I aspire to become: one who provides the same empathy and dedication that I received here. I chose Ochsner because it offers outstanding surgical training, with early operative experience, a high-volume and diverse case mix, and exposure to patients from all walks of life. The program consistently graduates skilled, confident surgeons, and I knew there was no better place to develop into the surgeon I want to be. Returning to care for the community that raised me while training in a city as unique as New Orleans makes this feel like home. After all, there's simply no place like New Orleans!

When I was choosing a residency program, I was looking for two things: great people and great training. I wanted to train in a culture where residents genuinely enjoy working together, support one another, and take pride in helping each other grow. I also wanted high operative volume, diverse pathology, and broad surgical experience that would prepare me for whatever path I choose after residency, whether that's a competitive fellowship or community practice. Ochsner checked every box, making it an easy decision for where I wanted to spend the next five years.

During my interview process, high operative volume, a diverse patient population, and progressive resident autonomy were a few things I prioritized when looking at surgery programs. During my 4th year away rotation at Ochsner, I learned it offered all of those qualities and more. I was struck by how supportive and welcoming everyone was, from the OR staff and floor teams to the surgery residents and faculty. Additionally, the camaraderie among residents regardless of training level was tangible and created an overall engaging environment. I ultimately became confident that Ochsner was the place where I would receive great, well-rounded surgical training while also having mentorship, resources, and the flexibility to explore my interests and pursue fellowship if I choose to. As an added bonus, I fell in love with the city of New Orleans and as a Louisiana native, it was easy to call it home away from home. Ochsner ultimately was exactly what I was looking for in a surgical residency because I knew it would challenge me, support my growth, and set me up for long-term success.

I chose Ochsner because of the people. While the program offers outstanding operative experience, diverse training environments, and excellent preparation for both general surgery and fellowship, those were not what ultimately made my decision. What stood out most was the culture. The friendships among the residents were genuine, the faculty were the kind of surgeons and mentors I aspire to become, and there was an undeniable sense that everyone truly cared—for their patients and for one another. As someone who grew up in an underserved community, I also felt deeply connected to the patient population we serve and the program's commitment to caring for those who need it most. Ochsner felt like a place where I could grow into the surgeon I hope to be without losing sight of the person I want to remain.

I chose Ochsner for residency because of the incredible people and supportive culture. From the moment I interviewed, I felt welcomed by the residents and faculty, and it was clear they were genuinely invested in each other’s success. Ochsner also offers an outstanding training environment with diverse surgical experiences and strong mentorship. Being in New Orleans is an added bonus, with its vibrant culture, amazing food, and energy making it an exciting place to live and train.

While looking at residency programs, I found that Ochsner possesses both exceptional clinical opportunities and a strong culture and community dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for the people of Louisiana and beyond.

The residents and staff work well together both in and out of the operating room, creating a welcoming learning environment and support system for residents. Additionally, the rich cultural history of New Orleans makes it a wonderful place to live and explore. At Ochsner, I look forward to becoming a well-rounded surgeon with the experience and confidence needed to manage even the most complex and advanced surgical patients.

When applying to residency, I was looking for a program with both breadth and volume of cases, as well as the complexity that would challenge and prepare me to be a confident and capable surgeon. Ochsner offers all of this along with diverse training environments that enrich the resident experience. Just as important, I was struck during the interview process by how kind and supportive the residents were, and that sense of community was exactly what I was looking for. I’m grateful to be in a program that pushes me to grow while training alongside colleagues who are genuinely supportive and caring.

When choosing a surgical residency, my top priority was finding a program that would make me an excellent, competent surgeon first—someone prepared to go directly into practice or match successfully in a competitive fellowship. I wanted rigorous training with early operative exposure and strong mentorship, where technical skill and clinical judgment were held to the highest standard.

Equally important, I wanted to belong to a program that felt like a family—where residents supported one another and faculty were genuinely invested in our growth. Surgery is demanding, and I knew the environment I trained in would shape not only my skills but also my confidence and resilience. From my interview day, it was clear this program fostered this personal and professional camaraderie.

New Orleans was also a major factor in my decision. It’s one of my favorite cities, rich in culture, history, and spirit. Serving this community felt deeply personal. The complexity and socioeconomic challenges many patients face here mirror those I saw growing up in eastern Kentucky.

In the end, this program checked every box, and I’m so proud to be training at Ochsner!

I chose Ochsner for surgical residency because I wanted a program where I could grow both professionally and personally. The early operative experience and high case volume really stood out to me. I knew I’d be challenged to become a confident, capable surgeon from day one. The people here create a strong sense of community because they are always supportive and genuinely invested in helping each other succeed. I was also excited to move to New Orleans where there’s so much culture, energy, and personality.

Ochsner caught my attention early in my application process because of the excellent operative experience, leading to both confident, capable surgeons at graduation and strong fellowship matches. What really sold me, however, was seeing the beautiful community that they had built for their residents here. It was immediately clear during the interview that residents and faculty knew each other well, cared deeply about it each other, and all valued a culture of learning and growth. I also hoped to find a program that would support me in my research goals without making it a primary focus of my time in residency, which has been true of Ochsner. When struggling to make my rank list, I constantly circled back to the way I felt on interview day, and Ochsner shined as a place I could really see myself spending such a critical time of my career

My priority was to find a program where I came out confident to go immediately into practice or pursue a fellowship of my choice. As a medical student I spent 2 years at Ochsner. I saw the skill and proficiency of the residents in this program firsthand. I knew I would be trained in a way that set me up to be a safe and successful surgeon for the rest of my career, regardless of what I choose to pursue.

While going through the residency application process, it quickly became clear to me that I was looking for a program with high operative volume, a strong sense of camaraderie between residents, and dependable mentorship from hospital staff. Fortunately, as an away rotator, I was able to see firsthand the breadth and depth of operative exposure and culture that the residents and attendings at Ochsner have fostered. I am confident that no matter what career path I choose, the training I receive at Ochsner will be more than sufficient to help me meet my goals.

I chose Ochsner for residency because it offers the kind of surgical training I was looking for—high volume, a wide variety of cases, and early, meaningful time in the OR. Early on, residents are involved in operative cases and given the chance to build their skills in a hands-on, supportive environment. The program strikes a great balance between strong clinical training and a culture that values teamwork, mentorship, and resident well-being. Everyone I met seemed genuinely invested in both patient care and in helping each other succeed. I’m also excited to be in New Orleans—a city with a lot of character, great food, and a strong sense of community. Ochsner is the kind of place where I know I’ll be challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.

I wanted a program with a blend of academic and community-based training. Ochsner provides top-tier clinical excellence and research, while rotations in the bayou at Houma offer valuable exposure to general surgery in rural healthcare settings. This combination provides a comprehensive and diverse training environment, which is exactly what I was looking for. Additionally, its location in New Orleans provides a culturally vibrant background to enjoy during days off and a reason for friends and family across the country to visit.

While interviewing for programs, I emphasized those with a high volume of cases across diverse specialties and varied patient populations to gain a broad range of experiences in the OR. I sought a program that would provide ample early operative experience with residents and staff who were supportive and genuinely invested in my education and development. Additionally, I was interested in a program that would prepare me to become an excellent general surgeon while also offering opportunities to pursue a fellowship in competitive subspecialties if I chose to do so.

After interviewing at Ochsner and speaking with the residents, I realized that Ochsner offered the perfect balance of high-volume and varied general surgical procedures, as well as opportunities to explore the subspecialties that interest me. Ochsner, as a community-academic center located minutes from downtown New Orleans, represented the ideal intersection of everything I was looking for in a training program, while also allowing me to experience a vibrant city with deep-rooted culture and tradition.

I am confident that I will receive exceptional training and form strong, lasting bonds with my co-residents and mentors, enabling me to develop into a well-rounded and competent surgeon in any field I choose.

As I perspired incessantly over my residency rank list, there were a few programs that stood out as places that I could see myself thriving. I had not been very familiar with Ochsner before the application season, but as I learned more about the program, I could not help but feel that this was one of them. It was easy to see during my interview that the culture of the program, which has thrived under the leadership of Drs. Fuhrman and Gorham, is second to none. The residents and staff get along like family, and as someone without family in Louisiana, it was very appealing to me to have this support system on which I could rely. I was also impressed with how well the program aligned with my top values: early operative experience, a solid educational curriculum, responsiveness to resident feedback, and the flexibility to pursue fellowship or go into private practice. So far, the Ochsner experience has been everything I had hoped, and I am glad for the opportunity to spend five years learning here.

One of the things that was most important to me when looking for a surgical residency was a program that would leave me confident to go straight into practice after five years, but also give me option to match into a competitive fellowship if that’s what I decide. I knew that Ochsner would provide me with the support and guidance from incredible faculty to make both paths attainable. I was impressed with how many residents were involved in the interview process and how everyone was genuinely interested in getting to know me. Despite interviews being virtual, I was able to feel the camaraderie amongst the residents and faculty, and I ended the day feeling confident that this program would train me to be an excellent surgeon alongside people who would become like family.

When I was thinking about what I wanted in a surgical residency, I wanted a program that would offer me early operating experience with high case numbers but also exposure to multiple subspecialties with high acuity care. I felt Ochsner offered me the perfect ratio of a community and an academic program without closing any doors. Another huge factor for me was culture. Residency is hard and I knew I wanted to surround myself with residents and attendings who I could be comfortable around. After my interview, I knew it would be a great fit for me. Now, after nearly a month of residency, I am confident that I landed in the right place.

I chose Ochsner because I wanted to be part of a program that truly values its residents as both surgeons in-training and as people. During my interview, I felt a genuine sense of warmth and commitment from the leadership—It was obvious how invested they were in their residents' education and their lives. Talking with the residents, I knew this was a place where I would be challenged to grow and be surrounded by colleagues who are dedicated to each other’s successes. Training here means becoming the kind of surgeon I aspire to be while being part of a family that celebrates the journey.

While I looked at early operative experience and volume when applying to programs, the factor I sought out most was a good culture. While interviewing I felt like the residents and staff were approachable and close knit. This has been affirmed to me after starting here as a resident.

Additionally, as someone who has lived in New Orleans for 10 years, Ochsner gave me the opportunity to serve the city and its people.

I chose Ochsner because they embody everything I was looking for in a surgical program. They have the operative volume, breadth, and complexity necessary to graduate confident, excellent surgeons regardless of going out for a fellowship. Moreover, I knew Ochsner's training would prepare me for any competitive fellowships I chose to pursue. The commitment to resident education and the sense of camaraderie between faculty and co-residents provides an ideal environment for growth and success in surgery. Overall, I knew on my interview day that I would thrive at Ochsner and the community they have built into the program.