I am delighted  that you are interested in the Johns Hopkins Residency Training Program in Surgery. Individuals selected for postdoctoral training in general surgery at Hopkins enter a one- or two-year Preliminary Surgery Program,which provides a core experience to prepare them for advanced training in general surgery or the
surgical specialties.

From the medical student applicants, eight individuals are selected annually to continue their training in general (six) or plastic (two) surgery. In addition, 14 people interested in training in otolaryngology (four), orthopedics (five), neurosurgery (three) and urology (two) are accepted for the Preliminary Surgery Program. In addition, five to nine positions are available for individuals interested only in our non-designated but Preliminary Surgery Program. These one- or, preferably, two-year positions are available for those interested in other specialties, such as anesthesia or radiology, or for those who wish to pursue further surgical training  but have not considered or secured categorical general surgical spot..

Johns Hopkins has a long history of training "academic" surgeons, beginning with William Stewart Halsted, the first professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins, and continuing with the subsequent directors of surgery, Drs. Lewis, Blalock, Zuidema and Cameron. To continue accomplishing this goal, our Residency Training Program provides a wealth of clinical and operative experience, a diverse housestaff and a faculty interested in teaching, as well as a variety of clinical and basic research experiences. Our Educational program includes both didactic, simulated and hands-on teaching.

In the Department of Surgery at Hopkins, we take pride in our Residency Training Program and we understand that a residency training program of today must prepare its graduates for tomorrow's world. By providing a solid clinical background, as well as the independent thinking required in the laboratory (basic science or clinical teaching), we expect today's Halsted Residents will be implementing innovative approaches throughout the 21st century. To continue our tradition in academic surgical training, we are committed to attracting the brightest and the best and to providing an outstanding training environment.

I look forward to meeting you when you visit Johns Hopkins.

Sincerely,
Julie Ann Freischlag, M.D.
Surgeon- in- Chief
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Alfred Blalock Professor of Surgery
Director, Section of Surgical Sciences
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine