Students can participate in a variety of surgery interest groups to learn more about pursuing a career in surgery.
Doctor of Medicine
Third and fourth year students at qualifying medical schools may complete a one-month subinternship at Duke. The surgery core course for Duke’s medical degree program is given during the second year and consists of an eight-week clinical clerkship. Surgery provides six rotations annually with approximately 17 students per rotation—training 120 medical students annually.
Duke Surgical Technique and Review (STAR) Course
STAR began at Duke when a group of surgery residents took the initiative to create a focused learning experience for medical students who matched into surgical specialties. With robust support from the Department of Surgery and following a year of planning, STAR went live in 2017. Like similar surgical preparatory courses across the country, STAR is composed of an intensive two-week commitment that includes didactic workshops, practical exercises, and a two-day operative experience in the human fresh tissue laboratory.
General Surgery Interest Group
The Duke Department of Surgery sponsors the General Surgery Interest Group, a student-run organization that allows students to learn more about careers in general surgery through information sessions, case discussions, hands-on experiences, and professional mentorship facilitated by student-resident partnerships.
Visiting Elective in Surgical Oncology for Medical Students Underrepresented in Surgery
The Visiting Elective in Surgical Oncology for Medical Students Underrepresented in Surgery is a unique opportunity for Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) students in United States medical schools who are interested in pursuing Surgical Oncology or General Surgery as a medical specialty.