Surgery (SURG)

During the Surgery Clerkship, students will assimilate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes concerning surgery that are expected of every physician. Students assume responsibility of the preoperative evaluation of surgical patients and their postoperative care, and participate in the surgical procedures. Available at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and affiliate locations. (6 week clerkship)

Departmental research is scheduled after consultation with the department and approval of a research project. Students may complete up to 12 credits (or 8 weeks) of research in Phase 3. Students wishing to count their research project towards the SI requirement in Phase 3, must receive permission from the SI Director and complete a capstone project.

The Thoracic service is a wonderful service with two great attendings who are interactive teachers. You will get exposed to a variety of lung and esophageal pathology. Exposure to bronchoscopies, chest tube management, acute lung consults in the ED, and pre-op/post-op care are only some of the additional things to look forward to. Since it’s a small team, you have a good deal of responsibility but it is manageable and enjoyable. Highly recommend it! Operating Room Days: Three days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Mixture of robotic cases, VATS, thoracotomies, esophagectomies, and more. Definitely prep before every case. Know the patient, the operation, the pathology, and the anatomy. Be active in the OR set up of the patient and throughout the case. You are in charge of post-op notes and post-op checks. Cases are in Gibbon 5. The thoracic OR staff is great, be polite and get to know them.

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery is dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. As a student you will partake in both the inpatient and outpatient arenas as well as being involved in the operating room. The major cardiovascular disorders include: Coronary Disease, Valvular Disease, Heart Failure and Transplant.

This course will provide an opportunity to review a variety of topics and skills in surgery. Students will analyze literature on a variety of topics in Surgery and apply the information from medical literature to answer clinical questions. Students will communicate effectively with peers in a virtual format, construct an effective teaching presentation on a topic of choice, and provide actionable feedback to a peer.