The faculty have genuine interests in education and there is a very low turnover rate. Given the high general and subspecialized surgical caseload with diverse pathology in a community hospital setting, Genesys is a very strong program for training to become an excellent surgeon.

Having grown up with my father in the Coast Guard, I have moved around the United States most of my life. When my family returned to their roots in Oklahoma, I attended the University of Oklahoma, where I majored in Biochemistry. I then completed the dual-degree Master of Biomedical Sciences and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine. During my audition at Ascension Genesys, I was extremely impressed by the complexity of the cases that the residents felt comfortable performing and their early operative experience. The entire surgery residency was welcoming and took the time to get to know me as an individual. The residents pushed one another to be the best surgeons and were always willing to help one another.

The attendings and staff are actively engaged in resident education and skill building. There is a rapport of mutual respect between residents and attendings that has created an environment that is very conducive to learning. The seniors and chiefs are well prepared to either enter practice or fellowship. I have felt accepted and appreciated since starting at Genesys.

I chose genesys because of the excellence of the faculty and the comradery of the residents. The faculty are skilled as both surgeons and teachers and they have a vested interest in our success in and out of the OR. You get exposed to a variety of pathologies beginning as early as week one at the intern clinic, where we get to gain intraoperative experience and practice continuity of care. Lastly, our residents genuinely want the best for each other, even if that means some tough love to bring out our best, and there’s never a doubt that they have your back. 

I was born and raised in rural West Texas where my family still resides. I went to Texas Tech where I received a degree in Biochemistry and continued to pursue research in tropical infectious diseases (Chagas, African Sleeping Sickness, Leishmaniasis, etc.) while earning a master’s in Chemical Biology. After completing my masters, I attended Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine as a rural scholar. TCOM afforded me many of opportunities to fulfill my passion for serving rural/underserved groups from west Texas to Guatemala and Thailand. In my future practice, I aspire to bring high quality surgical care to underserved populations with some work in global medical missions. I chose Genesys because of the unrivaled operative experiences at all resident levels with a large case volume. I felt Genesys would prepare me to be a confident surgeon ready to immediately contribute to a community or to pursue a fellowship.

The reason I chose Genesys: There is early operative exposure in a hospital with a robust surgical caseload with good variation. The attendings are excellent teachers and will allow residents to earn a lot of autonomy. I am confident that in 5 years Genesys will have prepared me to go into practice or land my desired fellowship.

They encourage analytical thinking which allows for early operative exposure and autonomy. The close-knit bond the residents push each other to become better, ultimately leading to a stronger general surgeon.

The program coordinator, staff and residents are all enthusiastic and encouraging. During my audition I saw residents at all levels in this program operate with autonomy and confidence. They were constantly challenged to bring their best to the table and as their capabilities grew new levels of expectations were implemented to constantly challenge them to be the best surgeon they could be.  The senior residents’ skill level, autonomy and confidence showed me they were ready to pursue fellowships or to go right into practice. Fellowship placements showed me competitiveness and wide variety of opportunities this program provides. 

The level of skill and confidence demonstrated by the senior residents was unmatched by any other program I auditioned at. The attendings are supportive and hands on, while also providing a remarkable level of autonomy. Program graduates are well prepared to go straight into practice or match into competitive fellowships.

My love for travel, international adventure, and providing for underserved communities with minimal access to quality health care ignited across these experiences, and has since lead me across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Germany, Italy, the Bahamas, and also 2 more mission trips while at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, to El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. My goal is to incorporate this passion for servicing underprivileged communities into future practice. 

When I’m not in the OR, I enjoy scuba diving, marine science, water sports, outdoor adventure, traveling, personal fitness, mountain-biking, football!, playing musical instruments, cooking/baking, family time, photography, and snuggling my doggos. My movie genre of choice is comedy!

Why I love Genesys: The early operative exposure, autonomy, medical/clinical confidence, and technical skill for each year of respective training is second-to-none. The attendings are enthusiastic, engaged, and active in resident learning, while promoting autonomy,independent decision making, confidence in patient management - both medically and procedurally, and instilling critical thinking skills. The pure volume and diversity of cases, in addition to the aforementioned, will ensure I graduate an exceptionally competent, technically-sound general surgeon who can start practicing confidently immediately out of training, yet will also provide the foundation needed to pursue fellowship as a competitive, able applicant.

Of all the programs I visited and interviewed Genesys is the one I was most confident would get me there. The residents hold each other accountable, and the attendings grant exceptional autonomy while still being hands on with your training.