Saint Joseph Hospital General Surgery Residency Curriculum Didactics Didactic content has been designed to present information in varying formats to accommodate different learning styles and provide repetition of material to cement foundational learning. They are described below.

Protected Education Time • Wednesday mornings: 7:00 am – 10:30 am • No clinical responsibility during this time.

Tuesday mornings: 7:00 am – 8:00 am •

Core Curriculum - Case Based Learning (CBL) - One of the key strengths of the Saint Joseph Hospital Residency Program is our weekly education conference, held during protected time to ensure full resident participation. The curriculum covers the entire SCORE framework. A distinctive feature of our program is the emphasis on case-based learning, where residents and medical students engage directly with attending surgeons in small groups—typically maintaining a 5:1 learner-to-faculty ratio—fostering rich, interactive discussions and deeper clinical understanding. 

Adjunct Curriculum: The conference also addresses a broad range of essential topics—including health disparities, global health, and physician wellness—that are integral to a well-rounded surgical education.

Simulation Lab - At Saint Joseph Hospital, we have a large lab conveniently positioned next to the resident work room and doctor’s dining room that has a variety of simulation equipment. This includes laparoscopy trainers, colonoscopy simulators, manikins for placement of drains/lines/tubes, suture material, suture boards, ultrasounds, and more In addition, we have a robust robotic curriculum. Our program has a thoughtfully structured robotics curriculum that can start as early as day 1 of intern year. Simulation training is available at all times of day when actual robotic surgery experiences are not available to assist on. The hospital has a high volume of experienced robotic surgeons across many specialties including a range from hernias to thoracic to Whipples.

Mock Oral Boards - Quarterly conference where residents are taken through oral board type scenarios with immediate attending feedback. This is done in a small group format so that all residents can learn techniques and knowledge from the examiners and examinees simultaneously. Our program also hosts a city-wide full length mock oral board examination twice a year with other residencies in Denver to prepare residents for their certifying examination.

Great Debates - A fun and interactive way for residents to consider both sides of the coin for hot topics in general surgery. Topics and opponents are chosen in advance. All residents get the chance to participate over the year. Courtroom antics are encouraged!

Vascular Surgery Conference - A meticulous review of vascular surgery over the course of the year lead by the Vascular Surgery attendings. High yield material for being successful on your vascular surgery rotation, in addition to ABSITE and Board prep.

M&M - Classic M&M format with residents presenting cases and providing learning points to the resident body. The goals of our M&M conference is to and generate supportive discussion around difficult cases with focus on areas of improvement. The culture at SJH is exemplified here: that of a supportive community collectively striving to optimize patient care.

General Surgery Teaching Rounds - Teaching rounds conducted on the various services with the opportunity to cover a wide variety of topics based on resident and student educational needs. This could be a review of perioperative management or broad discussion of pathophysiology of patient specific diseases.

Grand Rounds - Local, regional, or national experts presenting on topics specific to their practice or research.

Multidisciplinary Tumor Conferences - Breast Conference and Tumor Board are two separate multidisciplinary conferences held to provide comprehensive care to our surgical oncology patients.

Global Health - St. Joe's General Surgery Residency has a long history of dedication to the medically underserved and strives to expand opportunities for underrepresented and underserved communities. This involves both creating a culture of inclusion, as well as providing opportunities to immerse in global surgical missions in various countries, most predominantly Zambia.

Healthy Surgeon Curriculum - We strive to create an environment that develops well rounded surgical residents who go on to have sustainable, healthy careers. This requires a multifaceted approach to physical and psychological health and also supports residents in their reproductive phase of life. This is spearheaded by both faculty and resident champions.

Our program seeks to offer opportunities for interested residents to impact the surgical needs of global communities. Opportunities may vary based on the year and attending availability, but detailed below is the consistent experience that numerous surgery residents and attendings have had the opportunity to participate in for many years.

The Mwandi Mission Hospital in Western Zambia

Dr. Peggy Schrieber, a faculty member through CPMG, is a talented surgeon with a long history in international surgery. Dr. Schreiber takes annual trips to the Mwandi Mission Hospital, a 100 bed hospital in the rural western province of Zambia. She takes a surgical team that always includes general surgeons, ENTs, gynecologists, anesthesiologists, internists, and a 4th year general surgery resident from St. Joe’s Hospital.

She grew up in Madison, WI, but her medical school and surgical training took her away from her Midwestern beginnings and out to the east coast. After her undergraduate years at Yale, she spent 2 years in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa, both teaching high school science and math and helping create a lab in an eye hospital. Stateside once again, she completed medical school at Tufts University, where she obtained both her MD and MPH, with a focus on international health. In 2002, she joined the CPMG surgical group in Denver and generously shares her mentorship and vast experience with our residents and students alike.

Through her decades-long relationship with the Mwandi Mission Hospital in Western Zambia, Dr. Schrieber has provided longitudinal surgical care to patients in this region. Mwandi Mission Hospital is a 100 bed hospital in the rural western province of Zambia, several hours up the Zambezi river from Victoria Falls along a pothole-marred road. Dr. Schrieber has gone there on an annual or biannual basis for 20 years (excepting 2020 due to the COVID pandemic). She often takes 2 trips per year, which enables an additional resident to have this invaluable experience. They spend 2 weeks away, (includes travel time and a short safari) which allows a day of patient screening and 7 full operative days in 2 operating rooms.

The most common procedures performed are adult and pediatric hernia repair, thyroid surgery, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and orchiopexy for pediatric undescended testicles. They operate on patients who frequently travel great distances across the country to have these procedures performed. The aim is to care for any patient who shows up, if possible, sometimes relying on telemedicine with colleagues at home for guidance when the diagnosis falls outside of the represented specialties.

The trip is a team endeavor between the 12 team members from the USA and our Zambian colleagues and hospital staff, with whom she has developed a close working relationship over 20 years. This model has enabled the provision of excellent surgical care, much of which cannot otherwise be delivered in this area of Zambia. Additionally, Dr. Schrieber aims to increase training over the next 5 years for Zambian providers to improve the overall surgical continuity by enabling these local practitioners to also be able to perform some of these procedures/services.

All categorical residents are required to engage in research and quality improvement projects prior to completion of residency. This is a great opportunity to engage our residents in learning about the process of research for those with no prior experience, or to hone skills already acquired. Residents work closely with faculty mentors in an often-multidisciplinary approach within the hospital to ask and answer clinically relevant questions about patient care. 

• Peggy Schrieber, MD, FACS, Research and Quality Advisor GME, General Surgery 

Pillars 

• Completion of required training modules (PGY1) 
• Attendance at semi-annual GME QI training (PGY1, 2) 
• Faculty mentored Quality Improvement project, presented at quarterly Residency QI Meeting (PGY1, 2, or 3) 
• Abstract submission of case report, or IRB approved QI or Research project, for regional or national meeting (PGY4) or publication. 

Faculty Mentored QI Project 

• Invitation to join in QI project by full-time faculty, though residents may suggest ideas for QI projects. 
• This may be Quality Improvement or Quality Assurance hospital, clinic or residency focused 
• Some projects may be more extensive requiring medical record review and data abstraction which is approved by the IRB (see QI folder on Gen/Surg Research Shared Drive) 
• Completed projects are presented at the quarterly GenSurg Residency QI conference 
• Required for categorical residency, target date no later than PGY4 

Abstract Submission 

• This can be a case report, IRB approved research project, or high-quality QI project, submitted for regional/national meeting presentation or publication 
• A single submission fulfills the categorical residency requirement (acceptance not required) though many residents have multiple projects and submissions by PGY5
• Target date for completion by the end of PGY4 year
• Current residents may reference Gen/Surg Research Shared Drive “How To-” Folder for rules/guidance on each type of abstract submission 

Saint Joseph Hospital Graduate Medical Education Residency uses ONLY the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) for each year's application process and match. This service necessitates electronic applications only. Please contact ERAS for more information on the application process.

Categorical Applicants

The following information is required to be submitted to ERAS for your application to be accepted for review:

• Personal statement
• Dean's letter
• Medical school transcript
• Three letters of recommendation
• USMLE transcript. (We do not recognize the COMLEX as an alternative to the USMLE for selection purposes for an interview.) 

Interviews

• Formal interviews will be offered to selected candidates starting in October after reviewing the Introductory Video Interviews.
• All formal interviews will be done virtually at the recommendation of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Interviews will commence November - January. We will be utilizing a Microsoft Teams Meets platform. The formal interview will not be recorded.
• At this time, there will be no in-person interviews.

Preliminary Applicants

• Applications must be submitted electronically through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application System)
• If you are applying for a preliminary position through the University of Colorado Anesthesia program, please be on the lookout for a unique match code. Email sherry.morgan@imail.org or the UCH Anesthesia Program Coordinator for more information.
• Due to the large volume of high-quality applicants that we receive, if you have a specific interest in our program please reach out via email to Sherry Morgan or Dr. Johnson to signal your interest. If you haven't heard about an interview by January 15, feel free to reach out by email.
• Interview offers will be sent out in October and all interviews will be done virtually via Microsoft Teams in November, December, and January.

For questions or additional information, email sherry.morgan@imail.org.

Saint Joseph Hospital residents are offered a comprehensive benefits package. The benefits package is designed to help residents and their families have peace of mind knowing they have the coverage they need.

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance provided, affordable dental and vision coverage
• Free covered parking
• Meal stipend when on-call, access to Doctors Dining Room for 2 hot meals a day and drinks/snacks
• $3,500 education fund per categorical resident (may be used for loupes, board exams, study material)
• DEA and state medical license reimbursement
• Retirement savings benefits through Intermountain Health
• FLS, FES, ACLS, and ATLS courses provided, completed early in training

St. Joe’s surgery residents truly embrace the phrase “work hard, play hard.” With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, there is ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors outside of clinical responsibilities. The illustrious Colorado mountains are a haven for hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. Numerous ski resorts are within a couple of hours from Denver and are a popular weekend destination for the adventure-bound. 

Additionally, there is always something to do in the city. St. Joe’s is uniquely situated near downtown Denver, where there are a vast variety of restaurants, cafes, breweries, and more. When residents are not in the hospital, there are myriad opportunities to enjoy the arts, culture, food, and other unique experiences that the city has to offer:

• Peruse the offerings at one of our renowned museums (Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, Clyfford Still Museum...to name a few). 
• Catch a performance at the world-class Buell Theatre or Ellie Caulkins Opera House.  
• Utilize the expansive park system, including multiple large parks within a short walk or drive from the hospital (City Park, Cheesman Park, Washington Park, Crestmoor Park). 
• Visit the Denver Botanical Garden, which is not only a work of art but hosts many events such as concerts in the summer and a spectacular light display during holidays. 
• See your favorite bands perform at both intimate and large concert venues (Red Rocks Amphitheater, Ogden Theater, Pepsi Center, Fillmore Theater, or enjoy a picnic with friends at the weekly Jazz in the Park during the summers) .
• Take the family to the Denver Zoo or Aquarium. Or drive down south for a unique experience at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. 

The residents genuinely enjoy spending time with each other, which is highlighted by some of our program events.  Examples include quarterly resident breakfasts, a holiday party complete with an annual Ugly Sweater Contest and White Elephant gift exchange, Women in Surgery happy hours, and Spring Fling. This culminating graduation event includes dinner, awards, and hilarious skits put on by the residents themselves. Our residents find every opportunity to explore and enjoy all that Colorado has to offer.  We are confident that this wonderful location has something that appeals to everyone.

Third- and fourth-year medical students interested in general surgery can apply to our residency program for a third-year clerkship or fourth-year sub-internship.

We collaborate with local medical schools to participate in the education of third-year medical students. In addition, fourth-year medical students from all over the United States that are interested in general surgery can apply to our residency program for a fourth-year sub-internship via VSLO.

We also strive to improve access to surgical education to underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students. We offer several scholarships listed under the Visiting Students Underrepresented in Medicine Surgery Scholarship: VSURiM SURG 800 elective. Please see the URiM section in Rotation Details linked below for more information.