The surgery clerkship at Columbia is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of surgical practice with an emphasis on the field of general surgery. Students will gain an understanding of the role of surgery as a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, correlating the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and molecular biology with application to patients with surgical conditions. Two to four students are assigned to each of three general surgery teams, one of which is in the Allen Pavilion. During the rotation students have the opportunity to see many of the standard and classic operations including appendectomy (open and laparoscopic), colon resections, cholecystectomies, hernia surgery, breast surgery, and even an occasional Whipple procedure (Allen O. Whipple was a P & S grad and professor and chairman here.) In addition to OR experience, students learn to evaluate emergency patients, manage surgical patients on the routine floors and in some cases in the intensive care units (SICU.) With a structured program of didactic lectures, preceptor sessions, and involvement in floor care teams, students are assured a varied and in depth exposure to current surgical science and practice.
Medical Student Orientation