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Residency Experience by Year

PGY-1 – Building the Foundation

• Entire year at Vassar Brothers Medical Center

• 100–150 operative cases during the intern year would be typical

• Early exposure to robotic surgery

• Direct responsibility for patient care on the wards and in the OR

• Rotations: General/Colorectal Surgery, Acute Care/Trauma, Surgical Oncology, Vascular Surgery, Intensive Care Unit

PGY-2 – Growing Autonomy

• Year primarily at Vassar Brothers, with 1 month at NewYork-Presbyterian in Pediatric Surgery

• Increasing independence in surgical consultations (ED and inpatient)

• Robotic training expands — bedside and early console work

• Rotations: Vascular Surgery, General/Colorectal Surgery, Acute Care/Trauma, Endoscopy, Breast Surgery, Palliative Care, Intensive Care

PGY-3 – Transition to Senior Resident

• Residents step into team leadership roles

• Year primarily at Vassar Brothers, with 1 month at NewYork-Presbyterian in Liver Transplant Service

• Deep operative experience on Surgical Oncology with complex cases

• 1 month on Head & Neck Surgery

• Additional rotations: Vascular, Breast, General Surgery

PGY-4 – Operative Depth & Supervisory Role

• Heavy operative year with increased independence

• Elective rotation option (Vassar Brothers or external site, continent upon program approval)

• Immersive Trauma Surgery month at Cooper University, Camden NJ

• Bariatric Surgery rotation at Northern Dutchess Hospital

• Rotations also include Thoracic Surgery, General/Colorectal, Acute Care/Trauma

• Begin sharing Chief Call responsibilities equally with PGY-5 residents

PGY-5 – Chief Resident Year

• Full leadership role: running services, supervising juniors, teaching students

• Mastery of operative technique across routine and complex surgery

• Active involvement in quality improvement and program leadership

• 1,200–1,400 operative cases typical at graduation

• Graduates are fully prepared for independent practice or fellowships

Residency Training Sites

Vassar Brothers Medical Center (Primary Site)

The majority of residency training takes place at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. This state-of-the-art facility includes a 750,000 sq. ft. pavilion with 15 modern ORs, an advanced conference center, and all private patient rooms. Residents gain broad exposure to both high-volume routine surgical care and complex subspecialty cases, all within a collegial, community-based academic environment.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Residents rotate at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, a world-renowned quaternary referral center, for Pediatric Surgery (PGY-2) and Liver Transplant (PGY-3). These experiences offer exposure to highly specialized care delivered by national leaders in surgery.

Housing is provided at NY Presbyterian.

Cooper University Hospital (Camden, NJ)

PGY-4 residents spend a month at Cooper University Hospital, a busy Level I trauma center. This immersive rotation ensures robust training in trauma resuscitation and operative management.

Housing is provided at Cooper.

Northern Dutchess Hospital (Rhinebeck, NY)

Residents rotate at Northern Dutchess Hospital for Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery. This site provides valuable experience in a smaller, more rural community hospital setting, where residents learn to deliver excellent surgical care with fewer resources than at a large tertiary center. This perspective is critical for developing adaptability and confidence in diverse practice environments.  Northern Dutchess Hospital is a short drive from the main campus at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and utilizes the same EMR so transitions to Northern Dutchess Hospital are less stressful.

Education & Curriculum

Journal Club

From the start of residency, interns and residents participate in Journal Club to critically appraise recent studies and practice the principles of evidence-based medicine.

Intern Boot Camp

During the first week, new residents complete an Intern Boot Camp designed to ease the transition into residency. This orientation covers essential clinical and non-clinical topics, including:

• Culture and expectations

• EMR training

• Skills lab, such as NG tube placement, foley placement, central line placement, POCUS and FAST exams

• Introduction to simulation lab (robot trainer, laparoscopic trainer, endoscopic trainer, etc)

ABSITE – In-Training Exam

All residents complete the annual American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE). Results are reviewed individually with the Program Director to track progress, identify strengths, and guide personalized preparation in areas such as reading, electives, and board prep.

Academic Half Day

Every Thursday morning, residents have protected educational time dedicated to didactics, case-based learning, and skill development. Sessions are aligned with the SCORE Curriculum and supported by resources such as TrueLearn, ABSITE Quest, and faculty-led educational sessions.

Core Educational Conferences

• Morbidity & Mortality (M&M): Weekly, Thursdays at 7 am.

• SCORE Conference: Weekly, Thursdays at 8 am. Residents use SCORE’s comprehensive platform, which includes:

  • 470+ surgical modules

  • This Week in SCORE (TWIS) curriculum

  • Chapters from 15 surgical textbooks

  • 2,400+ practice questions

  • 230+ narrated operative videos

  • 170+ SCORE School webinars

  • 80+ anatomical illustrations

Film Club

Held monthly, Film Club uses operative videos to break down surgical technique, decision-making, and higher-level concepts. These small-group, faculty-moderated sessions allow for interactive teaching and discussion.

Multidisciplinary Tumor Conference

Residents are encouraged to attend multidisciplinary tumor boards. Residents on the Breast Surgery rotation present their own clinic patients at conference. Other tumor boards include:

• Thoracic

• Rectal/GI

• Head & Neck

Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds cover a broad range of medical and surgical topics, featuring expert faculty and guest speakers.

Simulation Training

Residents participate in simulation throughout the year.  Recent sessions have included:

• Trauma resuscitation

• Escape room – surgical skill and situational awareness training.

• Laparoscopic skills training

• Robotic surgery simulation

• Cadaver lab, hand-sewn anastomosis

Robotic Surgery Certification

Residents planning to incorporate robotics into their practice are supported in completing Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Certification before graduation.

Schwartz Rounds

Held quarterly across the health system, Schwartz Rounds focus on resident wellness and professional resilience. Recent sessions included “Nurturing Resilience in Ourselves and Others” and “Injustice and Bias in Healthcare.”

Palliative Care

Our program was one of the first in the country to incorporate a dedicated Palliative Care rotation into the surgical residency curriculum. During PGY-2, residents complete a month-long rotation, including a simulation workshop with standardized patients focused on breaking bad news and disclosing adverse events in a safe learning environment.

Through structured didactics, simulation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and innovative programs, our residents graduate with not only operative expertise but also the professionalism, communication skills, and resilience required for modern surgical practice.

Resident Wellness

Residents who are well make excellent physicians. At Vassar Brothers, wellness is not an afterthought—it is an integral part of our residency culture. We believe that supporting physical health, mental well-being, and professional growth creates better doctors and stronger teams.

Wellness Initiatives

• Peloton bike in the Call Room for quick exercise breaks

• Resident-only gym within VBMC with free weights, rack, yoga mats, treadmill, and elliptical

• Newly refurbished call room space designed for comfort during long shifts

• Annual welcome party to celebrate new residents

• Residency-sponsored events such as hiking, axe throwing, and apple picking

• Collegial, respectful atmosphere where teamwork is prioritized.

Work Hours & Support

• Strict adherence to the 80-hour work week and New York State duty hour restrictions

• Access to mental health and coaching services and the Employee Assistance Program

• Anonymous feedback options to ensure residents’ voices are heard

• Faculty open-door policy for mentorship and support

Fifth Thursday Program

When a month includes a fifth Thursday, residents are dismissed after didactics to focus on wellness activities or personal needs—such as scheduling medical appointments or simply taking time for rest.

Team Support: Surgical PA Program

Our large Surgical PA Program is embedded within the general surgery teams. PAs share in call responsibilities and daily care, reducing “service” burden on residents and preserving the educational focus of residency training.

Call Structure

Overnight call varies by rotation but is typically q4.  Call is variable depending on the residency year and rotation.  Call is never more frequent than q3, and can be q6.

Residents as Teachers and Leaders Course

Each year, all senior residents attend the Residents as Teachers and Leaders Course at the American College of Surgeons in Chicago. This immersive program, taught by nationally recognized faculty, develops essential nonclinical skills in:

• Leadership and team management

• Conflict resolution

• Teaching and feedback

• Professional growth beyond residency

By combining wellness initiatives, strong support systems, and nationally recognized leadership training, our program ensures residents thrive both personally and professionally.

Curriculum Design

At Vassar Brothers, we believe the best residency programs evolve with their residents. Resident feedback is central to our success, and trainees regularly meet with faculty and the Program Director to review and refine the educational experience. This collaborative approach has led to meaningful improvements in curriculum and training.

Recent Enhancements 

• Formal PGY-2 Palliative Care Rotation
  Vassar Brothers is one of the few surgical residency programs in the country to establish a dedicated palliative care rotation. This innovative experience equips residents with essential skills in communication, end-of-life care, and the management of complex patient needs.

• Formal PGY-4 Trauma Surgery Rotation at Cooper University (Housing Provided)
  To enhance our robust Level II Trauma experience at VBMC, residents now spend a dedicated month at Cooper University Hospital, one of the busiest trauma centers in the country. Housing is provided, ensuring residents can focus fully on this high-volume, immersive rotation.

Research in Surgery

Faculty Leadership

In 2024, the Department of Surgery welcomed Kyle J. Thompson, PhD as Director of Surgical Research.

• Dr. Thompson’s early work focused on obesity as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.

• He later served as a Senior Data Scientist at the Carolinas Center for Surgical Outcomes Science before joining Nuvance Health.

Dr. Thompson holds regular office hours in the GME Suite at Vassar Brothers Medical Center to guide residents and faculty in research design, data analysis, and project development.

Clinical Trials

Residents have the opportunity to engage in ongoing cancer clinical trials at Nuvance Health, including:

• Breast Cancer

• Colorectal Cancer

• Melanoma

• Lung Cancer

• Genetic Cancer

• Gynecologic Oncology

Quality Improvement & Outcomes Research

• Quality Assurance Officer: Dedicated support for residents in project design, implementation, and analysis of QI initiatives.

• Quality Assurance Committees: Located at each training site, giving residents insight into hospital-level quality and safety strategies.

• National Databases: Residents have access to NSQIP (national surgical registry), along with VQI and STS, to conduct robust outcomes-based research using national-level datasets.

All data is maintained in a cloud-based research library, allowing residents to collaborate and analyze projects efficiently across sites.

Patricia Tietjen Teaching Academy (Available to Residents)

Residents have access to the Patricia Tietjen Teaching Academy, a system-wide faculty development program tailored to trainees who want to sharpen their teaching, leadership, and education scholarship skills. Offerings include:

• Residents-as-Teachers Curriculum: Practical workshops on bedside teaching, micro-teaching, feedback delivery, and learner assessment.

• Education Scholarship Support: Guidance on study design, IRB navigation, and dissemination (abstracts, posters, manuscripts) with coaching from education scholars.

• Curriculum Design & Simulation: Sessions on writing objectives, building session plans, and leading simulation-based teaching.

• Teaching Portfolio Development: Structured templates and mentorship to document your teaching, QI/education projects, and national presentations.

• Certificate Pathway: Option to complete a Teaching Skills Certificate with capstone presentation.

• Protected-Time Sessions & Small-Grant Opportunities: Periodic protected-time workshops; select micro-grants available for education initiatives.

Why it matters: The Academy pairs seamlessly with our research infrastructure—helping residents transform QI and outcomes projects into education scholarship, strengthen presentation skills, and graduate with a competitive teaching portfolio for fellowship or academic practice.

With strong mentorship, institutional support, and access to national registries and clinical trials, our residents graduate with the skills to become not only excellent surgeons, but also experienced in research and quality improvement.

Operative Experience

Early, robust operative exposure with dedicated supervision and teaching is a hallmark of our program.

• PGY-1: Interns typically log 100–150 cases in their first year, and some interns have exceeded 200 cases. From the start, residents are active participants in the operating room and gain hands-on experience across a broad range of general surgery.

• Chief Year: By graduation, residents typically log 1,200–1,400 operative cases, encompassing both routine and complex procedures.

Focused Resident Experience

With only one fellow in Breast Surgery—(who spends part of the year at Danbury Hospital) —our residents have priority in the OR. This ensures that clinical and operative opportunities at Vassar Brothers Medical Center are resident-centered without significant competition from fellows.

Strength in Complex Surgery

Our program offers exceptional exposure to complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Based on case log data, some residents have ranked in the 95th percentile nationally for liver and pancreas operations.

From high operative volumes to complex case exposure, our graduates leave fully prepared for independent practice or fellowship training, confident in their surgical skills.

Simulation & Teaching

Simulation Training at Vassar Brothers

In 2024, a brand-new Simulation Center was opened within the resident space at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. All residents gain structured experience in simulation, with additional opportunities for independent practice.

• Da Vinci Robotic Skills Simulator: Available 24/7, including nights and weekends, so residents can practice while on call.

• Robotic Surgery Curriculum: Designed to build progressive proficiency—starting with basic and bedside skills, advancing to the dual-console robotic platform. By graduation, residents are prepared for independent robotic practice.

• Endoscopy Curriculum: Formal training combined with periodic workshops.

Workshops & Skills Labs

Residents participate in regular hands-on workshops, which have included:

• Vascular anastomosis

• Skin closure

• Airway management

• Surgical stapling

• Robotic surgery day

• Intra-operative fluorescence

• Oral Board Review

Harold A. Spratt Center for Simulation and Clinical Learning (Danbury Hospital)

In addition to the simulation lab at Vassar Brothers, VBMC residents also have access to the Harold A. Spratt Center for Simulation and Clinical Learning, a state-of-the-art facility at Danbury Hospital. Highlights include:

• Flexible environments replicating ORs and exam rooms

• Control rooms with one-way glass for real-time faculty oversight

• High-fidelity manikins with realistic physiology and pathology

• Functioning gas panels (oxygen, air, suction) and vital sign monitors

• Audio/visual systems for recording, playback, and structured debriefing

• Standardized patient program with trained actors

• Dedicated educational and technical staff for optimized training

Teaching Roles for Residents

Nuvance Health – Vassar Brothers Medical Center is a primary teaching site for third- and fourth-year students from Touro College of Medicine, as well as visiting medical students.

Residents play a central role in teaching, including:

• Medical Students: Bedside instruction, operative teaching, and mentoring.

• Other Residency Programs: PGY-1 residents from the Transitional Year program rotate on Trauma join the surgical team, with surgical residents taking on teaching and supervisory roles.

How to Apply

We accept all applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) annually.

Find us in ERAS: ACGME ID #4403500450

Find is in NRMP:  NRMP ID # 2495440C0

*Please note: Individual requests for review outside of ERAS are not considered, and the program does not respond to unsolicited emails from applicants.

Application Requirements

To be considered for an interview, all of the following must be submitted through ERAS:

• Personal Statement

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (letters from surgeons are preferred but not mandatory)

• USMLE Step 1 (or COMLEX-USA Level 1) – Pass required

• USMLE Step 2 (or COMLEX-USA Level 2 CS) – Score required

• MSPE (Dean’s Letter)

Interviews

• For the 2025–2026 academic year, all interviews will be conducted virtually.

• Once an invitation is sent, applicants have 48 hours to accept or decline. Invitations not answered within 48 hours will be automatically withdrawn.

• H-2 visas are not supported.

Second Look

An optional on-site Second Look will be offered later in the season.

• Attendance is not required.

• The program’s rank list will be finalized prior to the Second Look, so participation will not influence applicant ranking.

We look forward to reviewing your application and meeting you during interview season.

Applicant FAQ

How many categorical positions are available each year?
We offer 3 categorical positions through the NRMP Match annually.  We do not have preliminary residents in surgery.

What are typical medical student performance and Step/COMLEX score requirements?
Passing scores are required for Step 1 and Step 2 (or COMLEX).  Although we do not use cutoff scores, competitive applicants usually present with Step 2 CK (or COMLEX Level 2) performance around the median score for those who match into general surgery, have not experienced a failure on a licensure exam, and have not required required remediation during medical school.

What are typical medical student performance and Step/COMLEX score requirements?
Passing scores are required for Step 1 and Step 2 (or COMLEX).  Although we do not use cutoff scores, competitive applicants usually present with Step 2 CK (or COMLEX Level 2) performance around the median score for those who match into general surgery, have not experienced a failure on a licensure exam, and have not required required remediation during medical school.

Do you sponsor visas?
We do not sponsor H-2 visas. Please check with ERAS for the most up-to-date eligibility guidelines.

Do you accept applications outside of ERAS?
No. All applications must be submitted through ERAS. Unsolicited emails or documents sent directly to the program are not considered.

Are interviews in person or virtual?
For the 2025–2026 academic year, all interviews will be virtual.

What is the Second Look, and does it affect ranking?
An optional on-site Second Look is offered later in the interview season. The rank list will be finalized before this date, so attendance does not influence ranking.

If you have additional questions not addressed here, please refer to our ERAS listing or contact our GME office for guidance.