Surgery Clerkship
Welcome to the Surgery Clerkship! The VCU Surgery Clerkship is a six-week immersion into General Surgery and the surgical subspecialties. Students rotate on two General Surgery services for two weeks each as well as two weeks on a surgical subspecialty service. Students are involved in all aspects of patient care, including preparing patients for the operating room, participating in the cases, and they are an integral piece of postoperative care. Education is provided via operative involvement, formal case presentations/lectures, and informal resident and attending teaching sessions. Clinical care is provided at our Main Hospital (MCV) and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. Our mission is to educate and exposure students to the entire spectrum of surgical care.
Welcome
M3 Clerkship Director: Eric Nelson, M.D.
Welcome from the Surgery Clerkship Director
M3 Clerkship
Resources
- Perform the relevant portions of a history and physical on patients with a presumed surgical diagnosis
- Identify conditions in patients requiring emergent surgical intervention
- Perform common surgical procedures discerning their indications, contraindications, and alternatives
- Manage patients during the pre-, intra-, and post-operative phases of care, including recognition and treatment of common postoperative complications
- Synthesize relevant patient data to formulate a differential diagnosis and ongoing diagnostic plan
- Describe the anatomy, underlying pathophysiology, and basic management principles of common surgical diseases and how these are impacted by chronic medical conditions and social determinants of health
- Collaborate with members of the healthcare team to optimize patient and family centered care
- Employ compassionate, effective communication with patients, their families, and members of the healthcare team to promote an environment of respect and inclusivity
- Apply knowledge of the role of surgical services in the hospital and healthcare system, including access to care, appropriate consultations, surgical interventions, timely follow up, and the transition of care when applicable
- Develop one's own professional identity and promote the professional growth of others through the solicitation and incorporation of feedback
- Practice ethical decision making, confidentiality, and dependability with patients, their families, and members of the healthcare team
- Demonstrate accountability for patient care, academic, and professional responsibilities
Please also review the institutional learning objectives
Contacts
M3 Clerkship
Clerkship Director
Eric Nelson, M.D.
VCU Health/VCU School of Medicine
Office: CHOR - Fifth Floor
Email: eric.nelson1@vcuhealth.org
Assistant Clerkship Director
Ashley Slaughter, , M.D.
VCU Health/VCU School of Medicine
Office: West Hospital, 15th Floor, East Wing
Email: ashley.slaughter@vcuhealth.org
M3 Medicine Clerkship Administrator
Autumn Griffin
West Hospital, 16th Floor, East Wing, Room 200
Phone: (804) 827-1032
Fax: (804) 828-4926
Email: autumn.griffin@vcuhealth.org
The Yapp App is an electronic, user-friendly, source for all surgery clerkship documents, lecture schedules, resources, and more. We use the Yapp App to help eliminate the amount of paper you must keep up with throughout your rotation. You can access the app through either a mobile device or computer.
- From a mobile device, download the Yapp App and create an account. You can quickly access the app by visiting the Yapp App website.
- From a computer, use the Yapp App link and click on the picture of the app (VCU Skyline) and it should take you to the app menu. You will NOT be required to create an account on the computer.