Objectives & Responsibilities

Residency Advisor Assignments

• Residents are assigned a faculty residency advisor upon entering the program.
• If appropriate, the faculty residency advisor and resident will continue the mentoring relationship beyond the first year.
• Residents may elect to have more than one residency advisor.
• At any time, the resident may modify their residency advisor assignment by requesting a different or additional residency advisor. Changes should be communicated through the Surgery Education Office.  

Residency Advisor Objectives

• Serve as a consistent, regular, and available advisor to the resident. A residency advisor is defined as a guide, coach, or facilitator. In this role, the advisor is not an evaluator.
• Obtain feedback on resident's learning experiences/rotations. Reflect on what worked well and what did not.
• Determine if psychological, social, or emotional barriers to educational objectives exist. Suggest methods to reduce or eliminate barriers.
• Identify study patterns and assist resident in developing an effective study plan, especially if the resident has knowledge deficits.
• Determine resident's long-term goals and assist with developing a plan to achieve them. Assist with goal setting if necessary.

Residency Advisor Responsibilities

• Check in with assigned PGY1 residents at least monthly (e.g., a few minutes to an hour). If necessary, a phone meeting is acceptable. 
• Meet with assigned PGY2-5 residents at regular intervals (at least semi annually), unless educational difficulties necessitate more frequent meetings.
• Set realistic expectations with the resident for the mentoring relationship.
• Follow-up on any previous suggestions, assignments, problems, or information promised.

Full List of Residency Advisors

General Surgery Residency Program 

Plastic Surgery 

Site Ombudspeople

Site ombudspeople are faculty members designated at each hospital site to discuss any issues of concern with residents. The discussion of all issues with the ombudsperson are confidential.