Since the Department of Surgery came into existence in 1993, it has produced outstanding surgeons in academic surgery and in clinical surgical practice. In the words of a former president of Morehouse School of Medicine, it is indeed a small department doing extraordinary things.

Our primary mission is to train excellent surgeons who are committed to providing high quality compassionate care for all patients. That commitment is based on the desire to treat others the way we desire to be treated. Ultimately with time, every care provider will become a care receiver.

After a vigorous selection process, we are committed to finishing our two categorical residents. We provide a broad training opportunity for our preliminary residents with opportunity for electives in their fields of interest. While we encourage and stimulate scholarly activity, there is no mandatory time of research. We believe that the most productive and innovative investigators are those that are highly self motivated. Due to our small size and dedication our faculty is easily accessible for supervision, counseling, guidance and mentorship. However, in spite of our small size, we excel in surgical oncology and trauma, thus far exceeding the national norm in breast and trauma cases. Our initiatives over the past year include enhanced laparoscopic surgery and laparoscopic skills, a simulation curriculum, enhanced evidence –based learning, incorporation of information technology as part of the surgical curriculum, and a strong focus on career development at the resident level by emphasizing scholarly activity early in their surgical training.

If you share our vision and mission do not hesitate to contact us.

Joel A. Okoli, MD, MPH, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Surgical Residency Program Director
Division of Surgical Oncology

“One of the essential qualities of the clinician is interest in humanity; for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”
- Sir Francis Peabody