Undergraduate Medical Education

The Department of Surgery provides learning and training opportunities for students pursuing their doctor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine as well as other medical training schools.

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.

Star Course Student with Instructor

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.

Trey Sinyard at ASC Clinical Congress

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.

Hands Raised Graphic

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.