Our goal is to facilitate and motivate medical students to becoming the future leaders in surgery. The role of the academic surgeon is ever evolving, and successful academic surgeons in the future will need to take on roles as innovators, surgeon-scientists, leaders, activists, and teachers, in addition to their roles as top-notch surgeons in the operating room.
One of the core missions of the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School is training the future leaders in surgery. As part of this mission, we have designed a leadership training program for students applying for surgical residency. We host students from across the country who are planning to pursue a career in surgery to review the ERAS application process and cover personal statements and interview strategies with focus on emotional intelligence and leadership opportunities in a surgical residency.
Faculty, house officers and medical students from across the country participate in this event to facilitate a personalized experience for each participant. The event also offers students the opportunity to network with peers from across the country who are also interested in pursuing a career in surgery, fostering friendships as students begin their careers in surgery.
We hope to share with students our larger vision of surgical leadership and provide guidance on the surgical residency application process. In addition, we aim to encourage medical students to pursue academic surgery and prepare them for the application and match process.
I was awe-inspired and reinvigorated to pursue a career as an academic surgeon. As I develop my personal portfolio, I know without a doubt that this program has provided me with the tools to shape my career to my interests.
University of Michigan medical students and students from other U.S. medical schools are eligible to apply if they are applying for residency in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, or Vascular Surgery for the 2026 Match.
Students will be selected to participate in the Student Surgery Leadership Weekend based on their interest in academic surgery, qualifications, and USMLE Step 1 scores. If USMLE scores are not available at the time of the application deadline, please mention this in the application and the expected availability date. Scores can be submitted at a later date. If scores are not available by the time decisions are made, additional information may be requested.
A small group of students will be invited to participate in the Student Surgery Leadership Weekend based on the competitiveness of their application. If selected, your hotel room will be included, and you will receive a travel stipend of $250.
Please note that, although faculty members of the University of Michigan Department of Surgery will review applications, selection for participation in the Student Surgery Leadership Weekend will not impact any future application to the University of Michigan Surgery Residency Programs.
Applications open February 10, 2025 and are due March 10, 2025.
