Surgery Residency Program

Meet the Program Director

Hear from a Resident

• Video Transcript: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine Surgery Residency Program Director

  Dr. Christy Lawson: Hello. I am Christy Lawson, the General Surgery Program Director at ETSU Quillen College of Medicine.

  Our program stands out for its comprehensive clinical experience, unparalleled opportunities in rural and international surgery, and a strong emphasis on surgical education and research.

  We are committed to providing our residents with the highest quality general surgery training.

  Residents work with a variety of surgical faculty, from broad-based community general surgeons to highly specialized surgeons with expertise in critical care, trauma, hepatobiliary, vascular, cardiothoracic, plastic and reconstructive, and pediatric surgery.

  The ETSU Surgery training program provides a rich and diverse clinical training experience based on the Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE).

  Our program provides excellent training in five affiliate hospitals across diverse health care systems.

  Clinical rotations vary from one-on-one apprenticeships to university rotations, where residents enjoy a team-oriented structure.

  Johnson City Medical Center is our primary training hospital and a Level I trauma facility.

  Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center, Franklin Woods Community Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center provide excellent general surgery and endoscopy experiences.

  In addition to these hospitals, an elective international rotation is available to our residents in their fourth year.

  Our graduates either immediately enter practice as general surgeons or transition to advanced clinical fellowships.

  In addition, the ETSU Department of Surgery sponsors a Global Health Fellowship.

  We prepare surgeons for a path to lifelong learning, the joy of teaching and a commitment to patient care.

  If you are a candidate who wants an academically proven environment that fosters your individual skills and passions while preparing you for independent practice or a competitive fellowship, ETSU Surgery is a place for you.

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• Video Transcript: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine Surgery Residents' Testimonials

  Dr. Mary McBride: Hi, I'm Mary McBride, and I'm a General Surgery resident.

  I chose the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine General Surgery residency because residents here are prepared to go into practice after residency or are competitive for fellowship if we choose.

  I was actually talking with another resident today about a senior resident walking me through an open inguinal hernia when I was an intern. Now that I'm an upper-level resident, I was able to walk an intern through an open cholecystectomy just last week.

  We enjoy early operative experience and supporting each other as we grow into surgeons.

  We truly do love spending time together at our five sites in the Tri-Cities area, as well as outside the hospital.

  There’s a lot to do in Johnson City. You're set if you love the outdoors or if you want to come hang out with us at one of the local restaurants.

  I tell people that Johnson City has a small-town vibe, but it’s not actually a small town.

  We would love for you to come meet all the kind people here, learn about our program, ask questions and become a part of the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine surgery family.

  Thanks.

  Dr. Aws Ahmed: Hello, my name is Aws Ahmed, one of the General Surgery residents here at East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine.

  I grew up in Baghdad, Iraq, and came to the United States in 2014. I finished my undergraduate degree in Texas and moved to Tennessee for medical school and to begin my general surgery training.

  One of the main reasons I chose East Tennessee State University for my general surgery training is because the program provides broad-based training that prepares you well for independent practice after residency without necessarily needing to pursue fellowship.

  Across the country, many people pursue fellowships because they don’t feel comfortable operating independently after residency training.

  We rotate at different hospitals in the region and are exposed to a diverse patient population and many opportunities to learn.

  For example, we receive robotic surgery training at Franklin Woods Community Hospital, and much of our trauma surgery experience occurs at Johnson City Medical Center, a Level I trauma center in the region.

  We also practice at the Veterans Affairs campus at Mountain Home, where residents receive early endoscopy and colonoscopy experience during the first and second years of training.

  Johnson City is also a great place to live while completing residency. The area offers many outdoor activities, opportunities to spend time with friends, hiking and great food — and there’s not much traffic at all.

  It has both a small-town feel and the amenities of a larger city, which makes it a great place to train.

  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

  Welcome to East Tennessee State University.

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