The academic portion of our residency is important. Residents attend SCORE-based conferences, Mortality and Morbidity Conference, Grand Rounds and Journal Club, averaging about 3 hours per week. First and second-year residents also participate in a textbook club once a week.

In addition to our regular conferences, we also have the following special Academic Events:

Visiting Professors

Six visiting professors are invited each year for one interactive session with residents and faculty and one formal presentation over a two-day period.

We also have a special trauma visiting professor each year in June who speaks with residents in conjunction with the annual Kanas Trauma Conference presented by Ascension Via Christi.

In-Service Training Examination

The American Board of Surgery In-Training exam (ABSITE) is administered to all residents annually at the end of January.

Oral Examinations

"Mock" oral examinations are given to the third-, fourth-, and fifth-year residents in October of each year. We also conduct a mock oral examination for the chief residents in April before their graduation. These examinations follow the format of the Certifying examination of the American Board of Surgery and prepares the residents for part 2 of the American Board of Surgery certification process.

Medical Students

Wichita is a clinical campus for the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Medical students are assigned to most of the General Surgery teaching services at Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center. The surgical resident is expected to participate in the education of medical students.