The next generation should outdo us. That’s what the new program director for the Ohio State Department of Surgery General Surgery Residency Program believes. Kelly Haisley, MD, took on the new role in August, leading a training program made up of 55 residents who she hopes will be even better surgeons than the generation before them.
Dr. Haisley always thought she was following in the footsteps of her mother, a doctor, when she became a surgeon. During general surgery residency though, her passion for education blossomed. “I got so much joy out of those lightbulb moments,” Dr. Haisley says. “I found that I was getting as much joy and fulfillment out of teaching and learning as I was out of the clinical aspects of training.”
It was then she realized that it was also her father’s footsteps that she was following. Her father, a teacher, was a driving force behind where she is today – heading a program that, for the fourth year in a row, is ranked in the Top 10 nationally on Doximity’s 2024-2025 Residency Navigator.
Dr. Haisley’s developed a philosophy that every experience is a learning opportunity, and that the next generation of surgeons should always outdo the current generation. She’s committed to creating a generation of surgeons who are not only excellent technicians but who are also compassionate, ethical and well-rounded people.
“We get the opportunity to shape the minds and skills of the best-of-the-best residents who will one day be the next generation of leaders in surgery,” Dr. Haisley says.
For four years, Dr. Haisley has been an asset to the General Surgery Residency Program as associate program director. Now, as program director, she'll continue bringing a wealth of experience, passion and dedication to the program and a commitment to always growing and learning. Recently, she was accepted into the 2024-2025 Surgical Education and Leadership Fellowship Program, a prestigious one-year fellowship designed for Association for Surgical Education members who wish to improve their teaching, education design and leadership skills in surgical education.
In her new role, Dr. Haisley is looking forward to maintaining the residency program’s exceptional tradition of fostering technical mastery, clinical judgment, interpersonal and professional development and research innovation within a diverse, inclusive and supportive environment. Within its robust clinical and educational program, there are several key highlights that help ensure that our General Surgery Residency Program continues to excel:
The Research Training Program offers residents the opportunity to earn a tuition-free master’s degree during their research time. The program provides extensive statistical and research support, enabling residents to become true surgeon-scientists. This exceptional program is one of the strongest in the country and a significant asset to our residency.
The department’s Robotic Surgery Curriculum ensures our residents graduate with some of the highest numbers of robotic cases performed in the country. Each resident earns a robotic equivalency certificate and completes an average of more than 100 robotic cases. This comprehensive training program – the first in the nation to offer weekly one-on-one proctored robotic skills training – ensures our graduates are well prepared for the future of surgery.
Another unique aspect of the program’s training is the OR Coaching Program. Experienced coaches observe PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents during operations, providing feedback on their technique, leadership style and overall performance. This program helps residents develop not only their surgical skills but also their professional and leadership abilities.
Wellness initiatives are a particular point of pride for Dr. Haisley. Initiatives like Resident Appreciation Day, where residents get a day off to spend together (while faculty, fellows and APPs cover their call), and wellness half-days demonstrate our commitment to supporting our residents’ well-being. This focus on wellness has been recognized with a 100% satisfaction score on the ACGME Survey.
Under Dr. Haisley’s guidance, the Ohio State University College of Medicine's General Surgery Residency Program will continue to flourish, producing exceptional surgeons who are well equipped to meet the challenges of the future and go beyond the generation before them.