Preliminary Surgery

Mentorship

Our Mentorship Program is designed to nurture and train each resident to achieve their full potential and personal career goals during their one or two years at UW. All interns are matched to a resident and faculty mentor. These mentors function to guide our residents in both personal and professional development.

Global Surgery

The University of Washington has a strong tradition of participation in Global Health. The University of Washington Department of Global Health was founded in 2007 and is now well-established with renowned leadership.  Several of our faculty have active partnerships with, or have previously worked at the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland. We are dedicated to providing residents with opportunities to build knowledge, share experiences, and gain skills in global surgery. The department also offers many activities for all residents interested in global surgery.

Research

The University of Washington is one of the top research institutions in the country and provides a fertile environment for research support and collaboration even during a preliminary year(s). Residents if interested, can participate in clinical research through our CBATL, SORCE and HIPRC research units. These free resources are available for our residents to provide comprehensive research support services and assist with project design, IRB application, data analysis, presentation and grant funding.  We are committed to supporting residents with diverse research interests and are even delighted to use our resources to support resident research activities when another UW department faculty is the research mentor (e.g. Anesthesiology, Urology, Radiology, etc). Specific areas of investigative interest for our faculty members can be viewed on our Department of Surgery Research web section.

Educational & Research Conferences

Harkins Symposium

In 1955 “The Society of the Golden Pouch,” a spoof surgical society, was established by residents to honor the Department of Surgery’s first Chairman, Henry N. Harkins, at a dinner celebrating his fiftieth birthday. The “founders” intended that the new society would disband at the end of the evening. The Harkins Society, as it was renamed, instead went on to become the Department’s Alumni Society. Its membership includes the Department of Surgery faculty, former residents, and fellows. Today, the Harkins Society is rich with tradition. In celebration, all faculty and residents of the Department of Surgery meet as a community every fall to have a day of educational lectures delivered by our faculty.  In this way we celebrate the great breadth and depth of clinical expertise in our department.

Strauss Lecture

At the Department of Surgery Annual Strauss Lecture, the Strauss/Friedlander family, is carrying on the tradition established so many years ago by Dr. and Mrs. Alfred A. Strauss. Born in Germany in 1881, Dr. Strauss came to Colville, WA at the age of ten. An honor graduate of the University of Washington in 1904 and an outstanding member of the Alumni Association, he received the singular honor of the Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus in 1951. The annual Strauss Lecture is the concluding event to the Harkins Symposium. Prior Strauss lecturers represent the top figures in American surgery.

Resident Research Day & Schilling Lecture

The Department of Surgery Research Symposium and the Schilling Lectureship are made possible by a generous gift from the late Helen Schilling in honor of her husband Dr. John Schilling. The Schillings were deeply committed to teaching, scholarship and research and this event where residents showcase their research supported by faculty mentors–is a great aspect of their legacy.  Every year the department meets together as a community to hear both residents and faculty present their research providing an opportune moment to reflect on both the phenomenal quality of research in the department. The Schilling Lecturers represent a distinguished group of scholars who join us as visiting faculty and help us to award prizes to the top resident presenters. It is with tremendous pride and gratitude that we carry on this tradition.

Annual Department of Surgery Education Seminar

Each spring the residents and faculty of the Department of Surgery gather together as a community for an afternoon focused on surgical education. Each year has a different topical focus. This is a time for us all to learn and grow as surgical educators.

Salary and Benefits

An appointment at UW offers a wide range of benefits as part of your compensation package, including Medical, Dental and Long-term Disability options; matched retirement plans and investment programs; Vacation and sick leave benefits, wellness resources, work/life programs including on-site childcare, tuition-exemption for higher-education courses, and more!

The University of Washington School of Medicine Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) oversees wellness and benefits to all ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship training programs at UW, including general surgery. The GME homepage summarizes much of the information that follows.

Below are a few specific benefits that applicants often ask about.

Salary

July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 (includes $6,000 per AY allowance)

Benefits

The University of Washington (UW) offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package:

• Non-clinical leave: 4 weeks. In general, these are divided into a 2-week block and two 1-week blocks. Vacations are taken during or are coordinated with, the EVATS rotation. Exceptions are June 15–July 15.
• Chief residents are provided an additional monthly supplement of $225 per month.

Travel supported by the Department of Surgery

• Seattle Surgical presentations for R1’s and R2’s, plus presenters.
• Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS) travel fellowships are available each year, supported by the department.
• Papers or presentations developed as a result of work done in the clinical or basic science laboratory of an individual faculty.

Transportation/Parking

• The U-PASS provides residents with a variety of low-cost transportation options in the greater Puget Sound area.
• In addition, there is a free shuttle service connecting the major training institutions which runs approximately every 15 minutes from 6am to 7pm Monday through Friday.
• Pay Per Use Parking (PPUP) is required at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center. The daily rate varies based on the number of times you park in a pay period.
• Parking is provided for residents commuting to Wednesday education conferences and Grand Rounds.
• Parking at the VA and Children’s Hospital is free!

Fitness Facility

All residents are eligible for membership to the University of Washington Intramural Activities Building (IMA). This facility is host to many indoor and outdoor activities including: studios for aerobic exercise, yoga and martial arts, rock climbing, archery, basketball, handball/racquetball courts, squash courts (International and North American), swimming pool, thirteen tennis courts (six night lighted), volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and a fitness center with over 300 pieces of free weights, cardio and single station weight machines. Memberships may be purchased on a single use, quarterly or annual basis.

Where do residents live?

Most residents live in one of the many neighborhoods that are walking or biking distance from one of our 7 training hospitals. Some of the popular areas are highlighted below, as are our major hospitals for orientation purposes. Whether you are looking for an apartment in the center of Seattle’s night life, a single-family home with a yard on a quiet street, or quick access to one of our parks, biking/running trails, or waterfronts, Seattle offers vibrant neighborhoods that make life outside the hospital even more enjoyable. Each neighborhood has a unique flare with a variety of places for residents to live, dine, and enjoy time outside the hospital.

Survey results from current trainees:

(Click to enlarge)

(Click to enlarge)

(Click to enlarge)

Of current residents...

• 61% live with a partner
• 26% have a platonic roommate
• 11% have children
• 42% have pets
• 65% have house plants

Will I need a car?

• Consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the United States for both biking to work and public transit, many of our residents commute in various ways depending on the rotation they are on.
• Almost all residents eventually get a personal vehicle, which not only facilitates commuting to our 7 training sites but makes weekend escapes to the surrounding state and national parks even easier.

(Click to enlarge)

Seattle Rankings:

• #1 – City with the Best Outdoor Activities in the U.S.
• #1 - Best Coffee City in America
• #1 – Best Public Transportation in the U.S.
• #1 – Biking City in the U.S.
• Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the U.S.
• Top 10 Healthiest Places to Live in the U.S.
• Top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Food and Dining

The food and drink scene in Seattle is exploding! You may have a hard time choosing where to eat, and there is something for every budget. Food trucks are everywhere serving up nearly anything you can think of. The website Seattlefoodtruck.com also provides a convenient locator. Many of these make stops close to Harborview for quick lunchtime eats! The restaurants in and around Seattle offer choices for every price point and preference. It seems that nearly every corner of the city boasts its own pho or ramen house, and the International District offers an array of Asian cuisines as well as beautiful markets and shops.

Each neighborhood in Seattle also has its own “urban village” with restaurants and bars lining the main street. The waters around Seattle provide an ample supply of fresh seafood, and many restaurants service locally sourced produce, meat, and dairy for a true farm-to- table experience. You can even eat well on a resident’s salary: several times per year, more than 150 restaurants participate in Seattle Restaurant Week where a 3-course meal is offered for $30.

If cooking at home is more your speed, there are plenty of options. The Pike Place Market is a can’t miss destination for all of your culinary needs, and most neighborhoods have weekly farmer’s markets offering seasonal produce, homemade cheese, farm fresh eggs, bread, and more. Check out seattlefarmersmarkets.org for more information.

While the Pacific Northwest may be known for its expansive supply of craft breweries, there is also an expansive market of locally produced wine and spirits. Within several hours, you can drive east to either Walla Walla, WA, or south to the Willamette Valley in Oregon to visit vineyards where world renowned wine is produced.  Alternatively, within 30 minutes of Seattle in the city of Woodinville are nearly 100 tasting rooms serving Washington wine. Distilleries in Seattle offer tours and tastings, as well.

Outdoor Activities

Seattle and the surrounding area provide unsurpassed opportunities for outdoor activities, whatever your passion, experience or skill level. Ask our residents about what to do on the water, in the mountains, or in the snow. They regularly sail, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and fish: Aqua Verde Paddle Club Seattle Sailing Club

Within a short drive of Seattle, residents have access to the Cascade mountains which provide options for hiking and camping in the summer and snowshoeing and skiing in the winter: Washington Trails Association, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, San Juan Islands, Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass Summit at Snoqualmie/Alpental, and Mount Baker

Alternatively, embrace Seattle’s town pride and support the local sports teams: Mariners,
Seahawks, Sounders, Storm, and UW Husky Sports

Arts and Entertainment

Seattle is home to a diverse community and a wide variety of opportunities to explore arts and entertainment.  If the performing arts interest you, there’s the Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, ACT theater, and Seattle Repertory Theater as well as Pacific Northwest Ballet.

For those who prefer visual art, Seattle offers the Seattle Art Museum, Asian Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park, Chilhuly Garden and Glass Museum, and the Frye Art Museum.  Even the UW Campus features the Henry Art Gallery, displaying contemporary and modern art.  The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, also on the UW campus, has an extensive collection of Native American artifacts and anthropological specimens to peruse.

Those with eclectic tastes will enjoy the Experience Music Project (EMP) Museum, the Museum of History & Industry, and the famous Seattle Gum Wall at Pike Place Market. For every major art gallery or theater, there are many more small galleries, performing spaces, film festivals, and of course, there’s the award-winning and ever-changing public art scene a little off the beaten path. In fact, Seattle is home to over 400 permanent public art works and nearly 3,000 portable works.

Community Life in our Department 

When asked, “What’s the best thing about the UW Department of Surgery?” most people quickly answer:  the people. Our people – faculty, residents, staff and our families – are awesome. They are intelligent, committed, driven, warm, generous, kind and fun! So, we try and spend time together as much as we can.   We start with an intern welcome picnic and summer pancake breakfast.  In August we have the Department of Surgery picnic.  September starts our triannual resident socials sponsored by the department and the research resident BBQ.  The Women-In-Surgery group (started by one of our residents) has monthly informal get-togethers at a faculty home where female faculty and residents (plus kids) hang out.   Our annual holiday party is another all-department event that’s memorable each year. Of course, we have all the usual graduation events in the spring along with the resident Oyster Fry.  But one of the UW highlights of the year is Ski Day!

History provided by Dr. Hugh Foy, Professor Emeritus: “Ski Day was initiated in Feb 1979 by Chairman, Dr. John Schilling. Dr. James Carrico was the Program Director. It was a time of transition and change; Harborview had been an “every other night” program and the crush of clinical volume, particularly at Harborview Medical Center where there was only one Chief resident was difficult to say the least. There was no food service in-house, only vending machines. Vacation was limited to 2 weeks. Harborview Medical Center “shifts” were typically 40 hours on, 8 off.  The ER rotation was 27 hours on (24 hrs plus follow-up clinic) – 21 off.  Salary was in the bottom 5th percentile nationally, and there was no such thing as meal reimbursement or parental leave. Faced with a high attrition rate and low morale, the residents met and drew up 14 significant issues that were felt to be critical for their continued ability to safely deliver care. In a “let them eat cake” astute political move, Schilling told Carrico to “buy them a keg, rent them a bus and send them skiing for a day.”

This event is held each year on President’s Day from 7am-7pm. It is supported by department funds and faculty good will and is a time to promote resident morale and camaraderie.  Although the Department can no longer fund a keg, as an alcohol-free event, it still pays for the lift tickets.

Meet our current trainees >>

Alumni Statements

Many write to us after joining their new programs.  Here’s what some of our residents have to say about our Preliminary Surgery program.

Matched Residents

“The Preliminary Surgery Track at the University of Washington is a tough but very rewarding program. You'll rotate through many different surgical specialties that match your future career goals which will help you gain experience in taking care of patients in the clinic, OR, acute care floor, or ICU.

The people leading the program really care about your success. They'll do whatever it takes to help you get ready for your next step. I'm really thankful to Dr. Petersen and Dr. Khandelwal for consistently supporting me during my internship. I can't say enough about how much I learned in this program. It's been an amazing experience.”

S. Patil, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Connecticut, Neurological Surgery

"The University of Washington means a lot to me. The SOAP process was a very stressful time with a whirlwind of emotions yet the program at UW's confidence about my situation made me feel at ease. As a preliminary surgery resident you're treated like the categorical and given all the opportunities to thrive. You are exposed to influential faculty members from a multitude of subspecialties and work in busy, top-notch centers that teach/expect you to be great. Dr. Petersen, Khandelwal, and everyone else in the program work tirelessly to get you matched into what you want to do. They will go out of their way and reach out to people from other programs on your behalf. They care about you and your success, which I believe makes this program unique from the other preliminary surgery programs. Not to mention, you get to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with all of the perks that come with it (hiking, fishing, skiing).

I am forever grateful for everyone at UW. You saved my career and changed my life for the better. It was an honor to train at such an amazing place and wish that all of you reading this allow yourself to gain the same experience at UW."

D. Mohammadi, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Kentucky, Cardiothoracic Surgery

Anesthesiology Track

“I am from outside of Omaha, NE and went to medical school at the University of Oklahoma. I'm very glad that I chose to do a prelim year with the University of Washington. After making a late decision to pursue a career in Anesthesiology, the Department was very supportive in getting me experience and networking opportunities with the Department of Anesthesia. This largely contributed to me matching here at UW, which was my top choice!  While not working in the hospital, I have had tons of fun in the beautiful nature the PNW has to offer. Even during COVID I have had a blast, and there is always a new delicious restaurant to discover.  I would definitely recommend UW to other applicants, and would encourage them to be open about what they hope to gain from the experience so the program can work to support them.” 

R. Miller, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Washington Anesthesiology

“I already take great pride in the UW system and appreciate the year’s training I’d received. I’d summarize my UW prelim year as being part of a powerful institution that cares for the most complex and/or acute patients, yet with the support of residents and faculty, I was able to handle, learn, and enact the care that had to be rendered. The residents were immediately welcoming, sociable, talented and enthusiastic, and I enjoyed many great professional and social, outside of work, interactions throughout my year with my teammates. My work as a surgical intern at UW has instilled organizational and general cognitive skills. I am very appreciative of the surgical intern year currently as an anesthesia CA-1. I understand the pace and workflow of the OR, in particular at case starts and ends, by far the most active time for the anesthetist. Having done many OR starts with patient preparation, positioning etc., I fumble less doing the anesthesia roles during these steps. Good anesthesiology involves awareness of the surgical procedure (i.e. blousing anesthetic/analgesic to anticipate stimulating points in surgery) and I feel much more confident about the surgical procedure on the other side of the curtain to know how to tailor my anesthetic plan for the case and how to manage my workflow (charting, administrative duties, preparing supplies/meds for the day) because I am familiar with the process of the surgical case just by looking at the operative field. It is nice to have some familiarity during a VERY new job. Lastly, and particularly because of the high-acuity of Harborview, I feel very confident in my ability to interpret and intervene on the unstable patient, i.e. fluid resuscitation, transfusion. Glad I got to be a part of the UW system, couldn’t think of a better foundation for my career.”

J. Cohn, MD – P1 UW Surgery….Stanford University Anesthesiology

“The time goes by so fast and when you look back you are amazed at how much experience you’ve gained in what seemed like a very short time. The faculty and senior residents at the University of Washington really encourage independent patient care planning and they are always available to provide the right amount of guidance and supervision. UW’s General Surgery program is always working to stay at the top of their field and I think they produce some of the best residents in the country. I am glad to have started my training at the University of Washington because I know that I had one of the best groups of surgeons training me.”

L. Felts, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Kansas Anesthesiology

“Surgery at UW has been an extremely stimulating experience. The faculty are very supportive and encouraging, and take a genuine interest in the welfare of the residents. We have excellent team dynamics, and are able to significantly grow in knowledge with each rotation. We emphasize heavily on outstanding patient care, and I feel that I have become a stronger and well-rounded physician because of my training at UW.”

I. Jacquez, MD – P1 UW Surgery….Indiana University Anesthesiology

Dermatology Track

“I want to sincerely thank you for giving me the best year of training I could ever imagine. I could not have asked for a better year during which I learned extensively more than I ever anticipated. The culture of our program is rich with collaboration, guidance, and trust-building collegiality. This was a character-building experience that exposed me to a world of academic surgery that pushed me to improve and excel. The discipline and work ethic I mastered by the end of my year will last me a lifetime and it is all thanks to the brilliant leadership and culture of the training program I was fortunate to experience. I cannot thank you enough for the unique opportunity you gave me and I will keep your head high as I enter my next chapter. Thank you once again so much for providing me with such a strong foundation for my academic career in dermatology. I really believe that the discipline and clinical training at UW Dept of Surgery kept me way ahead the pack in the past few years. There is no better place than UW Surgery!”

H. Ezaldein, MD – P1 UW Surgery….Case Western/University Dermatology

Diagnostic Radiology Track

“My decision to come to UW was based on my desire to see diverse pathology and to be amongst the best residents and faculty. In that respect, UW had exceeded my expectations. I’ve had the opportunity to care for patients suffering from all manner of disease from extensive NSTIs and fourniers gangrene, to necrotizing pancreatitis, to interstitial lung disease requiring transplant and everything in between. What I realize now is that in making my choice, I overlooked the greatest strength of our Department of Surgery: The quality and character of its members. My colleagues are amongst the kindest and most supportive people I know. The residents and faculty make coming to work fun everyday. In retrospect, I can think of no better reason to choose UW for a prelim year.“

C. May, MD – UW Preliminary Surgery….Brigham and Women’s Diagnostic Radiology

“Things are going extremely well, and I feel very much at home here. As much fun as I had in the OR, Radiology remains to be my calling. I have to say though, compared to my colleagues who did internal medicine or transitional years, I am at a definite advantage when it comes to clinical necessity and understanding of indications.”

J. Skrok, MD P1 – UW Surgery….Johns Hopkins Diagnostic Radiology

“I was happy to match to the UW for my preliminary year in Surgery where I also matched in Radiology. My primary interest is in Interventional Radiology and as I will be sharing so many patients with surgical services, it made perfect sense for me to complete a year of surgical training prior to this. Having completed now just about a third of that year, I am very glad that I’ve done this. Not only will I be familiar with all of the systems that I will be starting with next year, but I have also already participated in multiple Tumor Boards with multi-disciplinary care teams seeing no end of difficult and fascinating cases. The extension of this is seeing the intra-operative correlation to all of the imaging and getting to appreciate first-hand the gross pathology outside of the reading room. Both my surgical faculty mentor and Dr. Horvath, the program director, have made sure that I am getting the most out of my year. It has been a great combination of a large university’s exposure to a variety of pathology and a smaller program’s devotion to personalized training.”

R. Linville, MD – P1 Surgery….UW Diagnostic Radiology

“I absolutely believe the opportunity I had to train at UW and everything I learned while training there helped me get this fellowship (amongst other accolades during my residency). I am working on getting credentialing completed for my upcoming fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Thank you and Happy Holidays to everyone at UW!.”

Z. Qazi, MD – P1 Surgery….George Washington University Diagnostic Radiology

“I just want to send you one last thank you for my preliminary surgery year at UW. My preliminary surgery year was an invaluable experience. It gave me a good foundation in surgery and clinical medicine as I move forward with my radiology residency next year. I was impressed by how kind and open my upper-level residents and attending physicians were with me. I was unfamiliar with many aspects of surgery, but I felt my teams were supportive and built a great learning environment. I was also impressed by how receptive the program was to feedback from residents; changes in schedules were quickly done to accommodate more flexible workloads for interns and give them more chances to go to the operating room. Overall, I can walk away from this program saying that I was well-trained in approaching basic clinic problems and managing them competently. And finally, even though being a surgeon is not my goal, I appreciated how Dr. Horvath, the program director, actively encouraged me to tie-in radiological concepts to what I was seeing in the OR and in the wards with the goal of making this year useful for my career ahead. I would recommend this program to those, like me, who are pursuing radiology as a great clinical foundational year. I gained a tremendous amount from it the year. I had great training and met some amazing physicians. I'll never forget it.”

E. Vidal, MD – P1 Surgery….Cottage Hospital Diagnostic Radiology

“The pleasure has truly been mine to be part of such a wonderful program and welcomed into the UW Department of Surgery family. I remember our conversation via Skype when you first described the program to me and I knew since that time that it would be a great fit for me and the perfect environment for training as a preliminary Surgery intern. Everyone in the department was extremely welcoming right from day one. I began my intern year on night float, while many may have been apprehensive to start on a night rotation carrying an entire inpatient census, I felt confident since my senior residents always had my back, allowing me to learn management of recent post-operative patients as well as management of possible complications that may arise in the inpatient setting and stepping in whenever necessary. This indeed became the theme throughout the year as I continued on a wide array of rotations. I believe that the variety of rotations was also extremely useful in diversifying my experience, from learning how to manage complex trauma patients in the TICU, to running a floor comprising of a large census on the Trauma team at Harborview to learning about the finer intricacies of surgical subspecialties while at the UW. The commitment of the faculty to constantly provide and encourage teaching was remarkable, often taking time even at the end of a call shift, in a busy clinic or in the operating room to impart clinical pearls. Thank you for this wonderful experience. I am deeply appreciative of the entire department efforts into making me a better trainee and physician. As I leave for New Hampshire to begin my training in Radiology, I look forward to beginning a new journey there but hope to continue to cherish and cultivate my roots and connection to UW.”

S. Pannu, MD – P1 Surgery….Dartmouth Diagnostic Radiology

Emergency Medicine Track

“When I look back on my time as a UW general surgery resident, I will most remember the fantastic people. Peers who were kind, humble, intelligent, team players and friends. Amazing seniors and chiefs who provided most of my early learning, and who probably deserve the bulk of the credit for my clinical maturity to date. Attendings who stood as pillars of our institution, great role-models and mentors. I will spend the rest of my career thankful for the personal and clinical growth my time at UW afforded me, and the incredible people that facilitated it. I want to thank you for the exceptional quality of training I received. The strongest aspect of UW is the extraordinary breadth of clinical exposure afforded by a program with a large tertiary/quaternary academic hospital, a nationally-recognized children's hospital, the only level I trauma center for a 5-state region, and a major VA referral hospital. I operated on a routine gallbladder and a large sarcoma in the same week, and have taken care of so many patients with pathology I thought I'd only see on my boards that it's become routine. Another excellent aspect of the training at UW is the quality of our critical care exposure. As a R2 I've been challenged to assume an intimidating degree of responsibility for the care of some of the most critically injured people in the entire northwest United States, and while I certainly have lots more to learn I am comfortable and confident in my foundation in critical care. I feel exceptionally well prepared for my future as an EM physician, but would feel equally prepared to assume the role of a senior resident in a surgical program.”

“I’m writing with an update. Things are going great in Las Vegas! I've already relied on my surgery training; a few days ago a patient came in with what turned out to be a solid rock of mucus plugging her trach. I was the only one in the room who felt comfortable manipulating it, and I ended up taking over the room and taking one of my seniors through swapping the trach over fiberoptic scope with an ET tube. The patient did fine! So I know I've said it before, but thanks again for everything!”

J. LoMonaco, MD – P2 UW Surgery….University of Nevada, EM

Interventional Radiology Track

"As a UW IR/DR resident, I can't recommend the UW General Surgery preliminary year highly enough. My clinical education was superb, with a good balance of OR time and clinic time, and my chiefs and attendings worked to provide me with experiences that would benefit me as an IR resident. For instance, I scrubbed into a number of laparoscopic RFAs as surgeon junior, with the attending taking me through the case, and those same attendings spent hours with me during liver tumor clinic teaching me the fundamentals of liver CT and MR. Perhaps more importantly, the relationships that I built with the surgical residents and attendings have already been and will continue to be incredibly valuable during my continued training at UW; there's nothing more reassuring than calling a clinician about a sick patient in the ED and having one of your closest friends or most respected mentors pick up the phone".

G. Laidlaw, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Washington, IR

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Track

“My time at UW was intense and fast-paced. Big hospitals, lots of complicated patient, great cases. The people were fantastic, from the co-interns to the chiefs to the attendings were great to work with. Everyone was excited to teach and learn. I had always heard that in general, prelim interns got treated worse than the categoricals, but I never felt like that at UW. I was always treated with friendliness and respect even though my final destination was not surgery. The learning was good, the work was practical and useful. Seattle is a great place to live, great variety of landscapes and a very fun culturally diverse city, lots of outdoor things to do, family friendly activities abound as well. It was a great decision to do my prelim year in surgery at UW. Thank you!”

B. Wayment, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Utah PM&R

“My experience as a preliminary resident in UWGS program has been nothing short of spectacular. I chose to do a surgical year at UW over some other “easier” prelim programs to challenge myself and learn the pertinent surgical needs of PM&R patients, and I have no regrets about my decision. The faculty are encouraging and supportive and always strive to provide a high-quality educational experience. I love my co-residents and the approachable seniors that do such a good job of making us comfortable and taking us under their wings. Additionally, I am embracing the equal opportunity that I get as a prelim resident to participate actively in the OR and in patient care and get the most out of each rotation. Lastly, but certainly not the least, to start residency in the amazing city of Seattle and the beautiful Pacific Northwest has been an unexpected blessing, and I can see myself coming back to this region to live and practice here once my PM&R residency is completed.”

Peter K. Park, DO – P1 UW Surgery….Washington University PM&R

Radiation Oncology Track

“I hope this email finds you well. I look back on my preliminary surgery intern year at UW year fondly as one of tremendous growth and camaraderie. I had an amazing Preliminary Surgery year – a genuinely positive experience. The spirit of the faculty and residents I worked with at UW was amazing and set me up for success in my residency. Thank you!”

M. Zhang, MD/PhD – P1 UW Surgery….UCSF, Radiation Oncology

“I wanted to follow up and let you know how valuable I have found my time as surgical prelim at UW to be for my future plans of becoming a radiation oncologist! The opportunity to rotate through so many different surgical services in this cancer focused prelim year and learning how to do the initial work ups with cancer diagnosis though the resections of biopsies, in both pre and post chemoradiation patients has been an incredibly important experience for me and one that will be valuable as I collaborate with surgeons and medical oncologist in the future. I’ve found the experiences at the SCCA tumor boards and seeing the individual conversations that medical, surgical and radiation oncologists have with a patient on the breast cancer service to be one of the highlights of this year. Working with such a great group of residents, faculty and staff has made this clinically challenging year at times quite enjoyable and made for a rewarding year. I’m writing enthusiastically in support of UW’s surgical prelim program and really hope to encourage future radiation oncology residents to peruse this challenging path in the future because the experience has been worth it! Also I’d love to tell them that this program has done a great program treating me just like one of the categorical surgical residents and any concerns about whether  or not this is a malignant program should be allayed. This is a great program!!”

N. Eustace, MD/PhD – P1 UW Surgery….City of Hope, Radiation Oncology

In-Process Residents

P1 Program

“The Preliminary Surgery Track at the University of Washington is a tough but very rewarding program. You'll rotate through many different surgical specialties that match your future career goals which will help you gain experience in taking care of patients in the clinic, OR, acute care floor, or ICU.

The people leading the program really care about your success. They'll do whatever it takes to help you get ready for your next step. I'm really thankful to Dr. Petersen and Dr. Khandelwal for consistently supporting me during my internship. I can't say enough about how much I learned in this program. It's been an amazing experience.”

S. Patil, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Connecticut, Neurological Surgery

"The University of Washington means a lot to me. The SOAP process was a very stressful time with a whirlwind of emotions yet the program at UW's confidence about my situation made me feel at ease. As a preliminary surgery resident you're treated like the categorical and given all the opportunities to thrive. You are exposed to influential faculty members from a multitude of subspecialties and work in busy, top-notch centers that teach/expect you to be great. Dr. Petersen, Khandelwal, and everyone else in the program work tirelessly to get you matched into what you want to do. They will go out of their way and reach out to people from other programs on your behalf. They care about you and your success, which I believe makes this program unique from the other preliminary surgery programs. Not to mention, you get to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with all of the perks that come with it (hiking, fishing, skiing).

I am forever grateful for everyone at UW. You saved my career and changed my life for the better. It was an honor to train at such an amazing place and wish that all of you reading this allow yourself to gain the same experience at UW."

D. Mohammadi, MD – P1 UW Surgery….University of Kentucky, Cardiothoracic Surgery

“As a non-designated one-year preliminary intern interested in urology, I desired to attend the University of Washington for primarily two reasons: 1) UW’s general surgery and urology residency programs are among the best in the nation and 2) Dr. Horvath is an outstanding advocate for non-designated prelims. UW—as a medical institution—offers outstanding exposure to a wide breadth of hospitals, is a leader in the surgical field, and is a well-respected name nationwide. The experience I gained as an intern and UW’s name recognition undoubtedly contributed to my success as a re-applicant. Additionally, having a nationally recognized surgeon like Dr. Horvath contacting programs on my behalf and setting up meetings with UW’s urology department were advantages few other urology re-applicants had from their institution’s program director. The UW program helped create my rotation schedule to expose me to the urology department prior to the urology match as well as outlined a plan for me to take off days to interview. Ultimately, I had to take one day off and interview at one program to land an R2 urology position outside of the match at a program I’m thrilled to join. My choice to come to UW for my prelim year was the best decision I could have made and I could not have been successful without the help of everyone at UW.”

S. Greenberg – P1 UW Surgery….University of Massachusetts, Urology Program, R2

“My path after medical school was to complete a 1 year surgical internship before serving several years as a GMO in the Navy, after which I would begin an orthopedic surgery residency. I chose to move cross country to Seattle from where I went to medical school in Philadelphia because of both UW Medical Center’s outstanding reputation as well as Harborview Medical Center’s world renowned excellence in trauma care. I made a great decision. I was able to work a significant amount of time with several orthopedic surgeons and obtain strong letters of recommendation for my ortho application while getting a complete and broad education in surgical knowledge and technical skills.”

LT R. Stancil, MD – P1 UW Surgery….Lieutenant U.S. Navy…UW Orthopedic Surgery

“Doing my prelim year at the University of Washington was an excellent choice. Certainly, I am pleased with the outcomes, having secured an opening at my desired program in Urology. It was by no means an easy year, but that was anticipated, and I knew coming into the year that I would not achieve my goals without a great deal of hard work. They were very accommodating with my efforts and offered a great deal of advice and support along the way. They helped organize a schedule that would maximize my exposure to my desired field at the right points of the year. They found ways to accommodate my interview schedule and helped in polishing my portfolio.”

J. Dagenais, MD – P1 UW Surgery….Brigham and Women’s Urology, R2

"I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to do my preliminary surgery intern year at UW. During my intern year, I was treated no differently than the categorical residents and got wide variety of experiences including scrubbing into OR cases as first assistant in many instances. The support and camaraderie at this program is unmatched to any other program in the country. Being in Seattle, it is a great place to have good work life balance with plethora of opportunities including great places to hike and great restaurants around the city. The program offers many opportunities for resident wellness including a day off for a ski trip for residents, where all the junior and senior surgery residents can bond and build a closer relationship outside of work. In addition, Dr. Horvath was very supportive of giving time off for interviews and making sure that you are successful beyond your intern year. Overall, the experience and prestige of University of Washington goes well beyond intern year and the skills/knowledge I have gained so far is partially due to my intern year at UW for which I cannot be more grateful for!

I’m writing with an update. I hope this email finds you well. I am emailing to touch base with you that I will be applying for interventional radiology fellowship. Out of all the programs I am applying to, I am very much interesting in coming back to UW for fellowship due to my positive experience during my surgical intern year.”

H. Narayanan, MD – P1 Surgery….George Washington University, Diagnostic Radiology

“This is a long overdue thank you for all your help in my surgical career to this point. I will be completing my program at Christiana Care this coming June. Subsequently, I will be starting at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship. It has been a long road, but I fully believe I could not have done it without my preliminary year at your program. You pushed me in my clinical knowledge which has paid off immensely. I know you will continue to push your prelims to their full potential, treat them no differently than the categorical residents, and place them in excellent programs. Thanks again!”

D. Berkheim, MD – P1 UW Surgery….Christiana Care General Surgery…Univ of Nebraska Cardiothoracic Surgery

“After the halfway point in my second year in my new program, the contribution of the lessons and values learned at UW to my current training is still incredible. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you and everyone at UW. Thank you!.”

T. Hiremath, MD – UW P1….Einstein Hospital, General Surgery, R2

P2 Program

"I will start by saying that doing my preliminary two years in surgical residency at UW has been a wonderful experience and opened the door to several opportunities to continue my training at top programs thanks to the effort and support of the Program Director and faculty who will promote you and advocate for you if you are good in what you do. As a program, UW is one of the top programs in surgery. Having said that you’ll get top training and it’ll pave your way towards your training at other programs. I must say though you’ll only get the best out of it if you give your very best. After a lot of research and conversations with multiple people I chose UW for my two preliminary years and if I had the chance to go back, I would have made the same decision. It is great being part of the UW family.”

T. Hoyos, MD – P2 UW Surgery….University of Wisconsin, General Surgery, R3

“I hope all is well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the time and investment you and the Department of Surgery devoted to my training at UW. I'm finding my work very rewarding, and am extremely thankful to be pursuing my training in neurosurgery here at MCW, but I reflect almost daily on the foundations of surgical management and critical care training. I was somewhat apprehensive when I signed on for two years of preliminary general surgery training, as most people outside UW hadn't heard of similar programs, however, following your advice, it was certainly the best path I could have chosen. I never felt I was treated differently than the categorical residents. The time I spent rotating through the different services taught me a myriad of skill sets that I find myself calling upon often, and I wouldn't trade the experiences I gained for anything. Harborview nightfloat taught me to quickly evaluate and treat common post-surgical acute changes, never to worry alone, and how best to manage common post-operative complaints. The general surgery services taught me how to appropriately manage multiple types of inpatient problems that can arise, the value of ERAS pathways, and how to integrate with other hospital services. Surgery B rotations taught me the basics of surgical oncology, the benefits of a team approach with medical oncology and radiation oncology, and how to properly close difficult incisions with oncoplastics principles (and of course how to properly throw a vertical mattress stitch to close those large melanoma defects). Cardiothoracic surgery showed me the value of efficient surgical technique, and how to thrive with the challenge of autonomy. Surgery A taught me the basics of how to see and evaluate a consult, how to quickly triage between sick and not-sick patients, and how to properly present a patient to a senior or attending in the middle of the night (this is a skill I've been complimented on probably the most, learning to give the one-liner including your assessment if you think a patient needs an operation immediately or not). I am incredibly thankful as well for the critical care skills I gained. Burns taught me how to present a patient thoughtfully, and in totality. TICU taught me general principles of trauma management, how to properly resuscitate a patient, how to approach a sick crashing trauma, and how to maintain sharp clinical concern overnight. CTICU was also invaluable, seeing some of the sickest patients in the hospital, taking me to the very fringes of what are interventions can effectuate. Above all, I learned how to manage a surgical patient as a whole, not to treat one malady while ignoring others. General Surgery taught me to see the patient in totality, and to treat appropriately based on critical analysis and evidence-based treatments whenever possible. Little phrases stick with me, "patients come first", or "you can be a doctor, or you can call a doctor", as one of my chiefs so aptly put it. These are lessons I will never forget, foundations that will continue to guide me through the management of my patients in the future, and learning that I hope to continue to build upon as I progress though my training. I cannot express my thanks enough to the entire UW Medical Center Department of Surgery, and will always be appreciative of the time and effort placed into my training.”

D. Aaronson, MD – UW P2....Medical College of Wisconsin, Neurosurgery

“Being from Vancouver, Canada, the chance to train at one of the top surgical training programs in the country was a dream come true. In my opinion, being a P2 has a lot of advantages. D uring the first year, you are able to really learn how to become an effective intern, without the stress and added time constraints of re-applying in the Match. The second year is filled with a broad critical care experience, including the TICU and CTICU, which helps build a solid clinical foundation, while allowing for flexibility throughout the interview process. I knew going in, that this program would give me a solid base to start my surgical training. What I didn’t expect was the support and comaraderie that this program has. From faculty, to fellow residents, you truly feel like a family, and no different than the categorical residents! The relationships I made as an intern, and subsequently as an R2, I know will continue throughout my career. I can wholeheartedly say that coming to UW was the best decision I ever made, and I can’t thank the faculty and my fellow residents enough for an amazing 2 years!”

A. Kainth, MD – P2 UW Surgery….St Louis University, General Surgery, R3

“I want to thank you for everything you did during my Preliminary Surgery years. I really appreciate everything, I always felt support from you and the faculty and that you were genuinely interested in my professional development and personal development. I thank GOD that I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful person like you, and I know that I got a categorical spot because I trained at UW and you spoke with everyone on my behalf. Thank you so much for everything. I will always be part of the UW Surgery family and I am proud of it.”

A.P. Vitela, MD, MS – P2 UW Surgery….MedStar Health System, General Surgery, R3

“My time at the University of Washington came with unexpected benefits. As a 2 year preliminary resident, I was allowed work with focus on how I was becoming a young doctor. It gave me opportunity to explore my field of interest in while building a strong foundation of technical and clinical skills. I was supported in pursuing the career of my choice, with residents and administrators assisting me with great flexibility throughout the interview process. Here in Seattle I got to ski throughout the winter, and in the summer hike the coast, the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascades, while living in a progressive and exciting city. But more than that it taught me how to care for others. It let me put patients first and work as part of a tremendously compassionate team. The energy and attitude of those around me, and the complexity of the care I was asked to provide, drove my development as a well-rounded young physician. It has taught me to think and develop my plans independently, while ensuring I am never without support when I need it. It’s left a lasting imprint on the kind of person and doctor I am.”

M. Florack, MD – P2 UW Surgery….Allegheny Hospital, Orthopedic Surgery

“Christmas is upon us and I am taking the opportunity to wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. It has been few months since I left the University of Washington and I see every day what a vigorous and in depth training I had as a junior resident.

I am blessed having learnt the foundation of surgery in this outstanding Institution. The organized and analytical thought, evidence based approach and thorough patient management are qualities I was taught from day one at University of Washington; and now these qualities make my work easier, smoother and more productive. The ICU training as a junior resident at UW, in retrospect, is a precious inheritance which will stay with me throughout my surgical training and career. I cannot even imagine a better place to build the foundation of surgery.

It is difficult to express in words how proud I feel being part of the UW surgical community, even for a brief period of time. My training in cardiothoracic surgery is very rewarding. I am very happy to belong to this specialty. Every time I participate in a cardiac procedure or take care of a thoracic or cardiac disease process I confirm to myself this career choice. My wife and I miss Seattle and our friends, however, every day Indianapolis occupies another small piece in our heart and we are slowly settling down in Midwest.”

P. Vardas, MD – P2 UW Surgery….Indiana University, Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery

“I hope this email finds you well. It has been a while since I wrote to you. I just wanted you to know that I accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Thoracic Surgery Section at the Washington University School of Medicine. The first six months have been great. As you may remember I completed my General Surgery Residency and I finished my CT Fellowship here. This could have not been possible without your help. My family and I are always grateful for that. I know the program still exists and I would ask you to continue to help as many Preliminary Surgery residents as you can. It really changes lives. Thank you.”

R. Nava, MD – P2 UW Surgery….Washington University, General Surgery

Recruitment & Selection

We interview approximately 100 candidates each year from across the U.S. for 17 Preliminary Surgery positions. We do not prefer applicants from any particular geographic region of the country and rather enjoy welcoming residents from across the spectrum of the north/south/east/west. We train graduates of all medical schools based strictly on their qualifications. We are as interested in training future surgeons as we are in training future anesthesiologists, radiologists and everything else! Our Preliminary specialty tracks are specifically designed to formulate an educational plan customized for each resident.

As part of our commitment to training future leaders, we recognize the importance of diversity in maintaining excellence in education, advocacy, and research. We encourage applicants from URiM backgrounds to apply to our program as we support our University’s mission to further our community through diversity and inclusion.

Virtual Q&A Sessions

Since recruitment season has gone virtual this year, we will be hosting a VIRTUAL VISIT this fall to help answer questions you may have about our Preliminary Surgery Program. If you are unable to join us for a VIRTUAL VISIT, they can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Application Process & Dates

Our application deadline is September 28, 2022 for the Preliminary Surgery Program. Interviews extended on the same date in early November. On the same day, we email everyone who applies to our program with a decision.

We are happy to review special requests for Preliminary Surgery interviews until the NRMP closes in February of each year. We recognize that circumstances change, especially for applicants in some of the early matches (e.g. Ophthalmology, Urology). So please feel free to contact us!

Residency positions for the Preliminary Surgery program at the University of Washington are matched via the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

• NRMP number for the 2-year preliminary position is 1918440P0
• NRMP number for the 1-year preliminary position is 1918440P3

 For NRMP numbers for our General Surgery (Categorical) Surgery Program please visit those webpages.

UW Department of Surgery participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), hosted by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

• We do not accept paper applications.

Interview Day Process

Virtual Interviews

For those who accept an invitation to interview with our Preliminary Surgery program, we hope to make your virtual interview a valuable and educational experience. We will be hosting all our Preliminary Surgery interviews in group format via Zoom. Further information and scheduling details will be emailed to you.

After our group interview, we welcome communication and questions. Please note that our preferred mode of communication is e-mail and we kindly ask that you do NOT send any hand-written letters or cards. In sticking to the true ‘green’ spirit of the Pacific Northwest, we strongly encourage all our applicants to save a tree and be paper-free!

Because of the binding nature of the match, it is important that you are familiar with the conditions and requirements of our program before ranking us. Our Residency Position Appointment Agreement and its addendum detail the terms and conditions of residency at the University of Washington. Please follow this link to review information regarding Prospective Residents and familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of residency at the University of Washington.

International Medical Graduates

Students and graduates of foreign medical schools should view our Certificate Program for International Physicians, which is a pre-requisite for those who seek Preliminary residency positions in our program. Canadian applicants should contact the Canadian Residents Matching Service.  F-1 Visa holders must receive pre-approval prior to ranking.

Policy For Student VISA Holders

The University of Washington has a new visa policy requirement for students that are currently on F-1 student visas. In the event you match with the University of Washington Preliminary Surgery residency program, your F-1 visa will convert to an Optional Practice Training (OPT) for the R1 year.

• In the past, residents on OPT would then apply for a H-1B visa. The University hopes to continue to provide H-1B visas to residents on OPT. However, we cannot guarantee this process will continue in the future.
• Assuming H1-B visas will continue to be offered to OPT students, the new visa policy requires that we receive pre-approval from our GME office and the International Service offices in order to place you on our rank list.

Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals that are selected to interview with our program will be provided with a list of documents/data that will be required by our GME Office.

We will not be accepting applications this year (2020-2021) in accordance with UW SOM guidelines due to COVID-19.

Certificate Program for International Medical Graduates

Each year the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington offers 3 visiting sub-internship positions to international medical graduates who are interested in pursuing a position in our residency program. These sessions take place in December-January, February-March, and April-May.

SURG CP688 P-Subinternship in General Surgery for International Physicians – 8 weeks

The objective of this course is to permit the international physician to work in a US teaching hospital as well as further develop knowledge of surgical disease and enhance the ability to manage comprehensively the problems encountered in surgical patients. Physicians will function at the intern level under close supervision of the staff and housestaff. Diagnosis, preoperative care and postoperative care will be stressed. The management of surgical emergencies and outpatient follow-up of discharged patients will be included. The subintern will attend some operative procedures on their assigned patients and will participate in all rounds and teaching conferences. This course will provide an opportunity for the physicians to perfect clinical skills in dealing with medical as well as surgical problems and will permit the physician to assume added responsibility. This program will be for preparation for participation in the UW surgical residency programs. Successful graduates of this program will be considered for a one or two-year non-designated preliminary residency position in the Department of Surgery. Physicians will spend a minimum of 160 contact hours participating in this program and will participate daily for the entire 8-week period.  Physicians in our International Physician’s Certificate Program will receive 16 continuing education units and a certificate upon successful completion of the program. Certificates will be awarded by the University of Washington at the end of the academic year.

Prerequisites

To be eligible to enroll in this course you must meet the following qualifications:

1. Current ECFMG certification (issued since 2000) in all three areas of the exam.
2. USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores of 220 or better on each. The exam(s) must have been taken in the last three years and you must have passed all parts of the exam (including clinical knowledge and clinical skills) on the first attempt. Official USMLE transcripts are required. USMLE score reports will not be accepted. You may request your transcripts by contacting ECFMG.
3. A medical degree earned in the last seven years (if your degree is older than 7 years, you do not qualify for this program).
4. Attestation that you have not been subject to review, challenges, and/or disciplinary action, formal or informal, by an ethics committee, licensing board, medical disciplinary board, professional association or education/training institution (if you have, you do not qualify for this program).
5. Valid certification of US citizenship, landed immigrant status, or qualify for an F-1 student visa.
6. You are planning to apply for a residency position at the University of Washington (we do not accept applicants that do not intend to apply to our program). Please note that this is not a prerequisite to apply but we do want to ensure that those interested in applying have the opportunity to participate in this program.
7. Three letters of recommendation from people familiar with your clinical patient care skills and potential to function as a resident.
8. Excellent expressive and receptive English skills. Some past participants have not been successful solely because their English was not adequate.

Tuition for the course is $4332 + $55 application fee, which includes the required registration fee and the cost of immigration support. The full amount is due at the time of registration. Tuition is subject to change on annual basis and is regulated by the University of Washington.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION FEE WITH YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.

Application

Please submit the following documents in the order listed by mail:

• UW Dept of Surgery Coversheet (Please fill out this form.)
• Copy of current ECFMG certificate
• Official USMLE transcript with Step 1 & 2 scores (score reports will not be accepted)
• Copy of medical school transcript
• Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
• Written statement explaining your career goals and why you are seeking this opportunity
• Three letters of recommendation
• COMPLETE applications must be sent via regular or express mail as below. Application materials sent via email are not acceptable.

Regular Mail (includes USPS Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation)
Joanna Ames
University of Washington
Department of Surgery
Box 356410
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195-6410 USA

Express Mail (FedEx/UPS)
Joanna Ames
University of Washington
Department of Surgery
Room BB-487
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195-6410 USA

Thank you for your interest in the program and we look forward to receiving your application. Please direct all questions to Joanna Ames / james17@uw.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: All documents must be received before your application will be sent to the Program Director for review. You will receive an email confirming that your application was received and submitted. The review process takes approximately 4-8 weeks, after which you will be notified via email regarding your acceptance. We ask that you do not contact our office to inquire about the status of your application. 

Joanna Ames
Residency Program Operations Specialist and Recruitment Manager, Surgical Education
James17@uw.edu
206-543-3654