Welcome from the Program Director
The UCLA Department of Surgery residency program is dedicated to training the next generation of surgeon-leaders by:
Graduating residents are defined by their excellence in surgical technique, clinical decision making, and dedication to improving the lives of patients. We cultivate clinical excellence through weekly didactic sessions, hands-on simulations, cadaver labs, and patient-centered case conferences. As a result, graduates of our program achieve one of the highest first-time pass rates of both the American Board of Surgery Qualifying and Certifying examinations. We promote academic excellence through one-on-one research mentoring and collaboration across specialties, professions, countries, and institutions. We aspire to achieve true workforce diversity in general surgery through mentoring, advocacy and the cultivation of an inclusive work environment.
In surgical training, there is no substitute for the breadth and depth of clinical experience. Residents grow comfortable in the management of both highly complex and common general surgery ailments, as well as the structural determinants of health across patient populations. Residents develop expertise in the management of complex disease at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, the highest ranked medical center on the West Coast and an international referral center. They provide the highest-quality care to safety-net patient populations at Olive View Medical Center and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, two of LA County’s public hospitals, and the West Los Angeles VA, the nation’s largest VA medical center.
We are immensely proud of the graduates of this program and their potential to advance clinical care and the field of surgery.
Timothy Donahue, MD
Program Director
Our mission is to train future leaders in academic surgery. We are a seven-year program, including five clinical years and two (or more) research years.
We invite you to explore our website, learn more about the program, and take an aerial tour of UCLA Health.
For more information on applying, click here.
