Basic science and pathophysiology of surgical diseases are discussed at two major scheduled teaching conferences. A mandatory resident conference, monitored by surgical faculty and the program director, is held Wednesday mornings. Assigned readings and discussions of the weekly topic are the format of the conference.
The Friday morning conference, consisting of M & M and a lecture, is the major teaching conference of the department. Basic science is incorporated into the core lecture series and the clinical vignettes that are presented by the faculty members and residents. The Wednesday and Friday conferences are protected education time for all residents.
In addition to the above-mentioned conferences, there are also weekly service conferences, which are in the format of case presentations and discussions. Residents attend Breast, Thoracic, Colorectal, and General Surgery conferences, depending on his/her assigned service rotation. Residents and attending faculty also attend Journal Club conferences, held 5 times per year.
