Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate.
I wanted to find a program that would offer me a ton of operative experience while also keeping all doors open for fellowship and self-growth. I wanted to work with attendings and co-residents who could support me as I learn all that it takes to become a surgeon. I wanted to work for an institution that believes in and does make an impact on communities within and outside their city. Ochsner does all of these things and more. New Orleans is better because of this health system. I knew when I started working at Ochsner I would be able to become the great surgeon and physician-scientist I wish to be. If you are between programs all I can say is, pick Ochsner, you won't regret it.
When I was looking for a surgery program, my main goal was to find somewhere that I could be prepared to practice either general surgery in a community setting or pursue a fellowship if I chose. I remember Dr. Fuhrman saying in his welcome that Ochsner was the perfect place for people who weren’t exactly sure where academics fit into their lives. This really resonated with me and made me feel like Ochsner would support me in any career path I chose. I absolutely loved my interview day and everyone I met! I felt like I really connected with my interviewers and that I would fit right into the group of residents at Ochsner. The great culture among residents and faculty was obvious during my interview, and I felt confident that Ochsner would be a place where I could thrive and grow. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to train here and explore all that New Orleans has to offer!
When looking at different residency programs, one of the main things that I was looking for in a program was the ability to graduate after five years and feel confident going straight into practice if I wanted to, but also the ability to match into competitive fellowships if that’s what I decide. During the interview, I was impressed by the operative volume, matching into competitive fellowships, how genuine everyone was, and so much more. I feel confident that Ochsner will provide me with excellent general surgery training and the support to pursue fellowship if desired. Another important aspect of a program to me is the culture. Even through virtual interviews, I could tell that there is a culture of teamwork and camaraderie amongst the residents and the faculty. This was something I was really looking for and I’m so glad I get to be a part of this team. I’m looking forward to all the things I will learn and the ways I will grow over the next 5 years. To top it all off, I get to live in New Orleans which has so much to offer and has been a lot of fun so far!
After going to the UQ-Ochsner program for medical school and doing rotations at Ochsner, I knew that I would receive incredible training here. I was able to experience how diverse and complex the patient population was and how there was a very high operative volume. On top of that, I quickly realized the strong camaraderie among the residents and faculty, and I desired to be a part of such a close family. I am confident that Ochsner is well equipped in training me to become a strong, competent surgeon and succeed in whatever path I decide for my career whether it be general surgery or fellowship. Coming from the west coast, I was unsure whether I would fit in the south. I quickly came to love the culture and excitement of New Orleans from all the festivals it has to offer and the genuine kindness of its people.
My ideal program when applying was one that had high operative volume, early introduction into the OR, and a culture of true camaraderie and support. I found all of this and more at Ochsner. Every Ochsner resident I worked with during medical school would talk about how much they love their program and how well they got trained. It became apparent during my interview that this was where I needed to be when I was able to joke with my interviewers and they were genuinely interested in my goals. My training at Ochsner will more than prepare me to go directly into general surgery practice out of residency, but there are also plenty of opportunities for me to work towards fellowship if my goals change. The faculty is incredibly supportive, and we all really treat each other like family. Plus, nothing beats being able to work and live in New Orleans close to my family.
I knew Ochsner would be an incredible place to train being a community-academic program with early and generous operative experience. I think Ochsner's program provides a breadth of opportunities to the surgical trainee that aligned with my mission to provide surgical care for patients from all walks of life, satisfied by our experiences on all services at Ochsner Main and affiliated campuses, our general surgery rotations out in Houma, and Level I trauma center UMC. New Orleans is a city with a diverse population and rich cultural history. The kindness and generosity that comes with deep cultural roots permeates through the community fostered at Ochsner amongst faculty, staff, trainees, and patients. There is true community at this program. Combined with the amount of graduated autonomy offered throughout every level, it’s not surprising that training at Ochsner is well regarded throughout the medical community.
During my interview process I was looking for a residency that would have the staff, facility, and volume of cases to prepare me to be an excellent surgeon. Just as important, I wanted to find a group of residents with whom I felt comfortable and knew I would be able to work with. I had the opportunity to do an away rotation at Ochsner and got to see firsthand that it had everything I was looking for in a program, so it was a no brainer for me when it came time to make my rank list.
During interview season, the criteria I was looking for from programs were high operative volume, early OR experience, a positive learning environment, and most of all a strong camaraderie among residents. After my interview at Ochsner, I realized it had met all my criteria and more. Ochsner produces confident and competent surgeons that have matched into highly competitive fellowships or have gone on to private practice. I feel that at Ochsner whatever I decide to do, either fellowship or general surgery, I will be supported and prepared along the way while working with individuals that I enjoy being around inside and outside of the hospital. New Orleans is a vibrant city with a unique culture and phenomenal food. I am very excited to be at Ochsner and so grateful to have matched here.
I was drawn to Ochsner for residency for three main reasons. For one I knew that I was going to get excellent training, with a strong case volume and early involvement in the OR. Ochsner not only matches residents into highly competitive fellowships but also produces competent, confident surgeons ready for independent practice straight out of residency. Secondly, the variety of operative experiences, patient pathologies, and high acuity of cases attracted me to the program. And most importantly I wanted to come to Ochsner because of the camaraderie amongst the residents and faculty. I felt that I was going to be truly supported and cared for by my fellow residents and staff.
I was looking for a program with high operative volume, established reputation, and solid camaraderie among its residents. During my interview with Ochsner, it became quickly apparent that the program fit all I was looking for. The faculty truly enjoy their profession and teaching residents who are not only coworkers but also friends. Ochsner provides great and diverse opportunities for residents to become skilled surgeons in competitive fellowships or private practice. Moving from Florida to New Orleans has been a welcoming transition as the city offers great scenery, food, and people.
It was important to me to find a residency program that would keep all doors/opportunities open and offer high operative volume while providing a supportive environment. Ochsner does this and more! I am confident that whatever path I choose, general surgery or fellowship, I will be both prepared and supported along the way. The program is also dedicated to consistently finding opportunities to improve. One major aspect that drew me to Ochsner was the camaraderie among the residents and staff, which was apparent from the beginning. I knew I would receive excellent training and be happy here! The opportunity to experience these things with great people by my side in the incredible city of New Orleans is something I’m truly grateful for!
After attending the UQ-Ochsner program for medical school, I knew early on that I wanted to stay at Ochsner for my training. I have grown to love and cherish the unique culture and special people of New Orleans. The large catchment of underserved, affluent, and rural patients is unlike any other program in the city and is a standout strength of Ochsner. You truly help people from all walks of life. I also knew Ochsner would provide me with strong technical training, first and foremost as a general surgeon, and have every opportunity to pursue a fellowship.
When looking at surgery programs, I wanted a place where I would feel supported, work with people I genuinely wanted to see inside and outside the hospital, have approachable attendings, and graduate as a confident surgeon. Ochsner exceeded those expectations. Ochsner trains excellent surgeons whether for general practice or for further fellowship training, and I liked seeing those graduates from here pursued both routes. Plus, we get to train in NOLA; I’ve heard it’s a pretty cool city.
I chose Ochsner because I wanted to train in a place that I knew would create a competent, well-rounded surgeon that would be fellowship or general practice ready alike. I chose Ochsner because the late Friday afternoon interview felt more like talking with friends than just another Zoom call. I chose Ochsner because I knew that New Orleans and her people would not only challenge me as a surgeon, but also pick me back up when I needed it most. I chose Ochsner on Match Day, and I'm so glad I did.
Throughout the residency application cycle Ochsner was one of the programs that remained at the top of my list. It offered all the things that I was looking for in residency: Excellence in training, high case volumes, camaraderie among residents and a diverse patient population. During meet and greets and interviews it was evident that residents and staff enjoyed working together and the culture at the program was one of teamwork and respect. Ochsner also has a proven track record of training excellent, safe surgeons who can go straight into general practice or pursue competitive academic fellowships, which was important to me when considering programs. Living here now, it's also great to take part in the exciting cultural, musical, and culinary experiences New Orleans has to offer!