General surgery residency rotations at Tufts Medical Center

Our residency includes robust and progressive clinical rotations across a wide spectrum of surgical specialties and settings. Residents train at Tufts Medical Center, MelroseWakefield Hospital and Lowell General Hospital, along with partner institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital. Rotations are structured to provide increasing responsibility and autonomy at each postgraduate year (PGY), preparing our residents to care for complex surgical patients and lead multidisciplinary teams.

PGY-1

Interns complete 1-month rotations in:

• Vascular surgery
• Transplant surgery
• Thoracic surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Colorectal surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Trauma surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Night float
• Surgical Intensive Care Unit

They also complete a 1-month rotation at our teaching affiliate, MelroseWakefield Hospital in Melrose, MA.

Additional 2-month rotations include:

• Surgical intensive care
• General surgery

PGY-1 residents spend 1 month on night float. When rotating at Tufts Medical Center, they typically take call two weekends a month.

PGY-2

Second-year residents focus heavily on general surgery services and surgical consults. They complete:

• 9 months on general surgery services
• 3 months in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Tufts Medical Center

PGY-3

Third-year residents rotate through:

• Transplant surgery
• Pediatric surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital
• Night float
• Elective rotation
• MelroseWakefield Hospital

PGY-4

Fourth-year residents further develop advanced operative and leadership skills through rotations in:

• General surgery/trauma
• Thoracic surgery
• Endoscopy
• Lowell General Hospital
• Elective rotation
• Night float (one month)

PGY-5

Chief residents complete advanced subspecialty rotations in:

• Surgical oncology
• Colorectal surgery
• Endoscopy
• Minimally invasive/laparoscopic surgery

What makes surgical training at Tufts Medical Center different

At Tufts Medical Center, we’re proud to offer a general surgery residency program that combines world-class surgical education with a strong sense of purpose and community. Our training experience is rigorous, rewarding and deeply rooted in mentorship.

We prioritize hands-on learning and early operative exposure. Residents participate in complex procedures across a wide range of specialties, including colorectal, thoracic, breast, endocrine, vascular and plastic surgery, as well as trauma and critical care. You’ll also gain experience in advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques, and have the opportunity to train in solid organ transplantation.

Our structured curriculum includes weekly protected didactic time, simulation-based learning and active mentorship from experienced, engaged faculty. We recently expanded our educational facilities to include a modern, state-of-the-art surgical skills and simulation center—supporting technical development throughout all stages of training.

We also believe in flexibility and individual growth. Residents are encouraged to pursue what inspires them, whether that’s research, health policy, global surgery or surgical innovation. Many residents take dedicated time for academic development, and we support tailored paths that align with each resident’s goals. Our graduates go on to match in highly competitive fellowships or build fulfilling general surgery careers.

We are committed to cultivating surgical leaders who are clinically excellent, intellectually curious and driven to serve. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll be challenged, supported and inspired—you’ll find it here at Tufts Medical Center.