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University of Kentucky (Bowling Green) General Surgery Residency Program

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green) General Surgery Residency Program at The Medical Center provides residents with an exceptional educational experience in the area of General Surgery. Our surgical faculty are focused on developing skilled, competent and compassionate surgeons. The curriculum is structured to educate qualified and highly motivated individuals to become superior clinical surgeons.

Our General Surgery Residency is a five-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Two residents are accepted into the program each year. Residents achieve clinical proficiency through graduated responsibility commensurate with their abilities and levels of training during five years of clinical experience. The program is approved for a total of 10 residents and participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service and National Residency Matching Program.

Program Staff

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The program structure offers residents extensive learning experiences in the management of patients. The residents manage patients on an inpatient and outpatient bases. There are many early operating experiences and opportunities. Residents provide a consult service for all departments, and are involved in the outpatient clinic weekly. They obtain experience in pre- and post-operative management of patients undergoing surgery. Our program has weekly M&M conferences, faculty led didactics, and faculty-led ABSITE review. Additionally, residents have an hour of protected research time and an hour of study time each week. We also have a monthly journal club and Grand Round conferences.

Fifth Year General Surgery Residents

Brian Crosser, MD, General Surgery Resident

Brian D. Crosser, M.D.

  • American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Helena Do, D.O., General Surgery Resident

Helena Do, D.O.

  • University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fourth Year General Surgery Residents

Barney-Jonathan_001

Jonathan Barney, M.D.

  • American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Farahani-Nazaneen_001

Nazaneen Farahani, D.O.

  • University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Third Year General Surgery Residents

GME_Ghani, Owais

Owais Ghani, M.D.

  • Aga Khan University Medical College

GME_Moore, Cameron

Cameron Moore, D.O.

  • Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Second Year General Surgery Residents

Schwartz, Carrisa MD

Carrisa Schwartz, M.D.

  • University of Kentucky College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus

Zhao, William MD

William Zhao, M.D.

  • Florida Atlantic University

First Year General Surgery Residents

Falcon, Kristian DO

Kristian Falcon, D.O.

  • University of North Texas HSC, College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Williamson, Kayla MD

Kayla Williamson

  • University of Kentucky College of Medicine – Bowling Green Campus

program curriculum

Post-Graduate Year 1

  • 4 months General Surgery
  • 3 months Vascular Surgery
  • 1 month Plastics and Burn
  • 1 month Otolaryngology
  • 3 months Night Float

Post-Graduate Year 2

  • 3 months General Surgery
  • 3 months Vascular Surgery
  • 2 months General Surgery/Endoscopy
  • 1 month Trauma – UK
  • 1 month Transplant – UK
  • 2 months Night Float

Post-Graduate Year 3

  • 1 month of General Surgery
  • 2 months Vascular Surgery
  • 2 months General Surgery/Endoscopy
  • 2 months Cardiothoracic/SICU
  • 1 month Minimally Invasive Surgery/Foregut
  • 1 month Plastics and Burn
  • 1 month Surgical Oncology – UK
  • 1 month Pediatric Surgery – UK
  • 1 month Night Float

Post-Graduate Year 4

  • 3 months General Surgery
  • 1 month General Surgery/Endoscopy
  • 6 months Vascular Surgery
  • 2 months Electives

Post-Graduate Year 5

  • 10 months General Surgery
  • 1 month General Surgery/Endoscopy
  • 1 month Vascular

requirements

MEDICAL SCHOOL

Eligible applicants must be graduates of a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), or have graduated from an international medical school listed by the World Health Organization published in the World Directory of Medical Schools. 

USMLE/COMLEX Examinations

Applicants must have passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2 or the COMLEX equivalent PRIOR to being invited for an interview. 

Preferred Qualifications

This program selects from eligible applicants on the basis of their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and other personal qualities.

The program’s preferred qualifications include:

  • USMLE scores of 230 and above on each step or COMLEX scores of 550 and above on each step
  • No failures on any step of the USMLE or COMLEX

Application and Matching Services

The General Surgery Residency Program participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®). All applications are processed through ERAS®. No other applications will be accepted.

Applications Must Include the Following:

  • The common ERAS® application form;
  • USMLE scores (or COMLEX equivalent – Steps 1 and 2 required for all applicants;
  • ECFMG report and certificate for international medical graduates including US applicants attending medical schools outside the US;
  • Official medical school transcript;
  • Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE);
  • Three letters of professional reference; and
  • Personal statement.

The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for both US and international medical graduates. 

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES

This program does not accept applications from candidates who have graduated from medical school more than 24 months prior to the anticipated PGY-1 start date unless they have been in a training program or in active practice within that time period.

Eligible international medical graduates must have a current, valid certificate from the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) at the time of application. In order to achieve ECFMG certification, international medical graduates must submit their credentials to the ECFMG and pass competency tests. International medical graduates must obtain their ERAS® Application Kits from the ECFMG, which will issue them only to qualified applicants.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green) General Surgery Residency Program accepts applications from foreign nationals who are holders of a Green Card (permanent resident) and individuals who are prepared to have a J-1 visa sponsored by the ECFMG. This program does not support H-1 visas.

Applications from candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered. 

interview process

Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted via email. Interviews will be scheduled between November and February. If you are extended an invitation for an interview, we encourage you to contact our offices as soon as possible. Interviews are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Please note there is a limited number of applicant positions that can be accommodated on any given interview day.

Interviewees will meet with the program director, program coordinator, core faculty and current residents.