Faculty

Dear Prospective General Surgery Applicants,

Welcome to the General Surgery Residency Program at Ascension Saint Joseph-Chicago! As Program Director and Chairman, we are honored to invite you to explore our training program, built on more than five decades of excellence in surgical education. Our mission is to produce confident, compassionate, and exceptionally well-trained surgeons who are ready for both competitive fellowships and immediate independent practice.

Proven Excellence in Education and Clinical Training

What truly sets our program apart is a unique balance of mentorship and broad clinical exposure, paired with a steadfast commitment to your academic success.

• Exceptional Board Pass Rates: Our residents consistently demonstrate the strength of our program's teaching. We are proud of our excellent track record of passing both the American Board of Surgery Written Qualifying Exam and the Oral Certifying Exam on the first attempt. This success is a direct result of our focused and rigorous didactic program.
• A Rich and Diverse Clinical Experience: Our residents benefit from a training experience that is not diluted by surgical fellows. This gives our general surgery residents earlier operative exposure and greater autonomy than at larger academic centers. Much of your training will take place at our main campus at Ascension Saint Joseph-Chicago on Lake Shore Drive on three surgical services, with valuable rotations at world-class institutions, including: 

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital 
• Swedish Hospital 
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• Good Samaritan Hospital
• St Alexius Women and Children’s Hospital

• Structured Didactic Education: We are deeply committed to preparing you for success on your board exams and throughout your career. Our strong didactic program, led by a dedicated core surgical faculty, includes weekly conferences based on the nationally recognized SCORE curriculum.
• Emphasis on Research and Academic Growth: We believe that academic inquiry is a cornerstone of surgical training. We have dedicated research meetings and enthusiastically encourage all residents to participate in academic endeavors. Our residents regularly present their work at local, regional, and national meetings, contributing to the advancement of surgical knowledge.
• Outstanding Career Placement: Our graduates have an outstanding track record of achieving their professional goals. Recent graduates have matched into highly sought-after fellowships, while others have successfully entered independent practice. Many have even returned to join our faculty, a testament to the supportive and robust training they received here.

A Supportive, Team-Oriented Environment

We pride ourselves on a collegial, team-oriented culture where residents are supported throughout their training. Our faculty is committed to your professional and personal development, providing the guidance and mentorship you need to thrive.

The next step is to get to know us. We are confident that you will find a home here, and we look forward to reviewing your application.

Sincerely,

Bipan Chand, MD, MBA, FACS, FASGE, FASMBS
Program Director and Chairman of Surgery
Ascension Saint Joseph-Chicago General Surgery Residency Program

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in our General Surgery Residency Program at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital–Chicago.

Surgical education has been one of the most meaningful and enduring parts of my career. For the past 13 years, I have had the privilege of serving in residency leadership, working closely with trainees as they grow into confident, thoughtful surgeons. In my current role as Associate Program Director, I am proud to focus my efforts at Ascension Saint Joseph, where education is deeply woven into our daily clinical practice.

While we are committed to meeting and exceeding ACGME standards, our philosophy extends well beyond checklists and milestones. We are intentional about shaping how surgeons think, operate, and care for patients. Our goal is to help each resident develop sound clinical judgment, technical skill, and, just as importantly, a deep sense of responsibility, safety, and compassion.

As a smaller program, we offer something uniquely powerful: consistency, accessibility, and adaptability. Our size allows us to know our residents well, tailor teaching to individual needs, and respond quickly to changes in the clinical and educational environment. This creates a stable yet dynamic training experience where residents are supported, challenged, and truly seen.

Above all, we take pride in our culture. We are a close-knit group that values teamwork, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence. We work hard, support one another, and genuinely enjoy training together.

We are excited to share what makes our program special and look forward to getting to know you.

Maria Osipova, MD, FACS
Associate Program Director
General Surgery Residency Program
Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital-Chicago