Our residents train in a high-volume, clinically diverse environment with exceptional exposure across both core general surgery and advanced subspecialties, including surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, transplant, pediatrics and endoscopy. Graduates leave with outstanding operative experience, strong clinical judgment, and the confidence to lead complex surgical teams.
We are equally committed to how residents are trained, not just to what they see. From early simulation and skills development to structured intraoperative feedback through tools like SIMPL and operative coaching, to a deliberate focus on autonomy and progressive responsibility, our curriculum is designed to produce thoughtful, capable and independent surgeons.
Residents benefit from robust academic opportunities, including dedicated research time, advanced degree options and mentorship tailored to individual career goals. Whether pursuing fellowship, academic surgery or community practice, our graduates are exceptionally well prepared.
Above all, what truly distinguishes our program is the people. Our faculty are deeply committed educators, our leadership is engaged and responsive, and our residents are supportive, collaborative and invested in one another’s success. This creates a training environment that is not only rigorous, but also genuinely collegial and rewarding.
The biggest strength of our program at Ohio State is the leadership, said a chief resident. “Our department chair and program director, along with other leaders in research and education, are all extremely supportive and have a strong investment in the development of future leaders in academic surgery.”
Said a first-year resident, “My co-residents are great doctors and even better people, but beyond them every team member, from PCAs to nurses to pharmacists, are incredibly proud to be part of the Ohio State team. Collectively, we take the best care of our patients and that makes our jobs as residents incredibly easy.”
Frequently Asked Questions
We accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) of the National Resident Matching Program. Our program ID is “Ohio State University Hospital Program.”. Your application will need to include the following components:
- Current curriculum vitae (CV)
- Personal Statement
- Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
- A letter of recommendation from your Department of Surgery chair, program director, associate program director, or clerkship director
- Two additional letters of recommendation – You will not be penalized for uploading more than two additional letters of recommendation.
Foreign/international medical graduates may apply to our training program via the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the ERAS. Applicants must have a valid ECFMG certificate and must be eligible for ECFMG sponsorship for the J-1 visa as an exchange visitor for the entire program. When applying to the program, applicants must hold, or be eligible for:
- A valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- A J-1 Clinical Visa
- Apply within five years of graduation from medical school
- Have at least one year of clinical experience in an accredited clinical training program in the United States or one year of academic research
The Ohio State University College of Medicine General Surgery Program seeks applicants who embody our core values and are prepared to excel in a high-volume, high-acuity training environment. We take a holistic approach to application review, giving thoughtful attention to each candidate’s individual qualities, academic preparation, and life experiences. Due to our commitment to careful evaluation and the volume of applications we receive, we begin our review process as soon as ERAS submissions become available.
- Thursday morning interviews, with optional recruitment socials the Wednesday evening before
- A program overview given by our program director and other members of our team
- Three total interviews: a member of program leadership, one faculty member, and one chief resident
- Time to meet some of our current residents
- The opportunity to join us for chief grand rounds
We have seven categorical positions and up to five preliminary positions. Our program does not offer a pre-match. All positions are offered through the NRMP.
The official start date is July 1; however, orientation starts roughly three weeks prior and is mandatory.
Applicants who are selected for an interview will receive an invitation via Thalamus beginning the third week of October. We accept applications from the time ERAS opens in September through mid-December each year. Our interview season begins the third week of November. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will also be notified via Thalamus by the end of January.
In general, yes. Residents in our program should expect to complete two years of dedicated research training following their second or third clinical year. This period is designed to provide focused time for scholarly development, including completion of a mentored research project and, for many residents, an advanced degree such as a Master of Medical Science, Master of Public Health, or other graduate training (e.g., MBA or MEd).
While two years of research is the standard structure of our program, we recognize that individual career goals may vary. There is often some flexibility in the duration of research training depending on a resident’s academic interests, career trajectory, and available opportunities. In select cases, residents may pursue additional research time or a shorter research experience, and the program works closely with each resident to support these individualized paths.
Some residents may also elect to pursue a one-year Surgical Critical Care Fellowship during this period. Overall, our research training is designed to be both structured and adaptable, supporting residents in achieving their specific academic and professional goals.
Find out more about our Research Training Program.
Choosing a residency program is a big decision. Here are key questions to ask – and what our own residents say matters most.
Does the program offer you research opportunities? Does it provide the level of clinical training you’re searching for? What is the depth and breadth of the faculty? And most importantly, can you see yourself here? These are all important factors to consider when determining if a program is right for you. Here’s what recent residents have told us:
“The perfect applicant for our program is someone who has the ability to work hard, efficiently, creatively and intelligently while providing humble and compassionate care to our patients,” said a rising chief resident.
“An applicant who is personable, a team player, a leader and motivated to be involved in clinical and research opportunities would be the best fit here,” said a second-year resident, adding, “The best applicants are the ones who can work seamlessly in a multidisciplinary environment.”
“The best applicants are the ones who can work seamlessly in a multidisciplinary environment,” a first-year resident said, adding that because Ohio State is a major academic center, it is an ideal place for residents seeking a strong academic environment. “Research is also important to the department so if you’re passionate about scholarly work, OSU is a great fit.”
A second-year resident said the best part about the program is definitely the faculty and staff. “Ohio State continues to recruit many world-renowned surgeons across all divisions who are invested in training the next generation of surgeons. The collegiality among the faculty, staff and residents truly fosters an exceptional environment for surgical training.”
“I think an underrated strength of our program is that the leadership is willing to change to support the current residents rather than staying in stasis because ‘it’s always been done that way,’” said another second-year resident.
Coming to your interview prepared is a key step in successfully becoming an Ohio State College of Medicine Department of Surgery resident.
Interviewing for residency placements can be daunting. You’ll be asked a lot of questions and you should be prepared to answer honestly. Additionally, you should come armed with plenty of inquiries about the program – being informed will point you to the right decision. These tips from our residents will help ensure that you’re ready for the conversation:
"The purpose of the interview day is for you to learn about all the great opportunities offered here at OSU and for us to get to know you," said one fourth-year resident. “If you’ve been offered an interview, you have all the requisites of a great applicant and the interview day is a chance to see if we’ll be a good fit."
"To make the most of your interview day, bring specific questions you want to ask about our program but also pay attention to how the residents interact with each other and with the faculty", said a third-year resident. “You’ll see that the environment at OSU is one that a lot of applicants seek in a program."
A second-year resident advised applicants to “come prepared knowing yourself and what you are looking for. Yes, we’re critically looking at you to see if you're a good fit and that is nerve-racking – but you should be doing the same thing with us. Ask us the tough questions, push us on things that appear weak and test us so that you can figure out if we are a good fit for you," she said.