St. Joseph's Medical Center(Stockton) is a teaching hospital located in Stockton. The fourth-year surgical residents rotate through St. Joseph's Medical Center, each for a period of six months as Senior Resident. During this time, he/she has complete responsibility of the management of all patients on the surgical service under the supervision of the attending surgeons.

The three hospitals provide the trainee with generous clinical experience in general surgery including vascular, gastrointestinal, colon and rectal, endocrine, thoracic, pediatric, burns and trauma surgery and endoscopy. Additionally, there is an excellent exposure to surgical sub-specialty services.


Curriculum

SURGICAL INTERN (PGY-I)

During the first year (PGY-I), emphasis is placed on the development of basic surgical skills and pre- and postoperative care. Services covered are general surgery and the surgical sub-specialties, including thoracic surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, orthopedics, urology, neurosurgery, ENT, and plastic surgery, both wards and clinics. Interns are under the direction and teaching of the senior residents and the attending staff.

SECOND-YEAR RESIDENT (PGY-II)

The second-year resident (PGY-II) is responsible for overall supervision of the inpatient service to which they are assigned. The residents are expected to see all patients on admission, to elicit a history and perform the physical examination. The residents make daily rounds on their service and discuss the patients with both the attending surgeons and the senior residents. They assume a graduated responsibility for the therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in the hospital, under the direction of the senior resident and attending staff.

The residents assist at operations and carry out procedures, under supervision, which are commensurate with their level of training and experience; assist on other cases from their service; and attend the surgical clinics. The surgical residents are expected to understand surgical anatomy, pathology, operative techniques and procedures, and the use of instruments related to specific surgical procedures so that they may concentrate on developing the basic surgical skills which give a firm foundation for sound surgical practice.

THIRD-YEAR RESIDENT (PGY-III)

The third-year resident (PGY-III) has increasing responsibilities. He/She provides supervision to the junior house staff in the pre- and postoperative management of patients and in the surgical outpatient department. In addition, he/she performs the less complex surgical procedures, acquiring the dexterity needed for a career in surgery. Operative responsibility is determined by the resident's training and ability. During this time, he/she rotates through the San Joaquin General Hospital, the University of California, Davis, Medical Center and St. Joseph's Medical Center.