Our PGY4 Residents - Surgery Residency Program

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!

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 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.

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 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.

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.