Our residency program prides itself in early operative exposure, progressive resident autonomy and flexibility tailored to meet individual career goals. 

Diverse Community-Based Experience 

The General Surgery Residency Program provides care for patients at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Blank Children's Hospital, Methodist West Hospital,  Broadlawns Medical Center, VA Medical Center of Central Iowa and Lakeview Surgery Center.

This unique combination of training opportunities provides diversity in patient demographics where you can develop strong surgical and clinical skills in an environment where both common and unusual surgical intervention is seen.

Training Well-Prepared, Competent Surgeons 

Our graduates have consistently maintained a high pass rate on the American Board of Surgery qualifying (written) and certifying (oral) examinations. The most recent five year cumulative pass rate for our graduates is 100%, with 100% passing on the first attempt. 

Many of our graduates enter a career in a general surgery practice in both rural settings and larger cities with larger surgical groups. 

Typically one-third of our graduating residents have chosen subspecialty careers and our program has prepared them well for a fellowship training.  Our residents who have sought fellowships have obtained positions in excellent, competitive programs.  Learn more about our graduates.

Early and Extensive Operative Experience

Over the course of five years, a resident will perform in the neighborhood of 1,000 surgical procedures, including 200 major procedures during the chief year. Our program stresses early operative experience, beginning in the first year. The following are an average of the major procedures for our graduates from the past two years.

Have a Little Fun

The residency program sponsors a variety of fun social events throughout the calendar year including:

• A welcoming picnic for the new interns and their families in late June.
• A golf and tennis outing for residents and faculty in July.
• The Annual Internal Med vs. General Surgery Residency softball game and picnic in September.
• A holiday dinner party for Iowa Health-Des Moines faculty, residents, and their invited guest in December.
• Department Holiday Party
• Throckmorton Surgical Society Annual Alumni dinner held after symposium.
• A special graduation dinner and ceremony in June honoring our graduating residents.

Take that Next Step

We invite you to learn more about the  General Surgery Residency Program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center You have the opportunity to grow in a program with a strong academic center, a pleasant and flexible working environment and a diverse patient population. If you have any questions about our program, please feel free to contact us.

• For Prospective Residents
• For Medical Students
• For Current Residents