Medical Student Electives
Several excellent opportunities exist for a clinical experience by senior medical students at UC Davis Medical Center. These electives are held during the period of July 1 through January 31, and are designed for medical students who are interested in applying to the general surgery residency program. We place a high priority on the opportunity to observe applicants functioning as acting interns. Prospective applicants can learn more about the application process by reviewing the Visiting Student admission page.
(SUR 474) Colorectal Surgery
Clinical Colorectal Surgery
Physician in Charge: Colorectal Program Faculty
Students actively participate in clinic and the operating room on colon and rectal patients. This includes medical and surgical management. Assignments involve work up and care of surgical patients.
(SUR 460) Plastic Surgery
Clinical Plastic Surgery Elective
Physician in Charge: Plastic Surgery Program Faculty
Students learn principles of wound management and has the opportunity to deal with major reconstructive problems through management of flaps and microvascular techniques.
(SUR 461) Burn Unit
Physician in Charge: Kathleen Romanowski, M.D.
Students function as an acting intern in the 12-bed burn unit and the 80-bed Shriners Hospital for Children. Students learn principles of critical care, fluid and electrolyte resuscitation and management of surgical wounds. There is the opportunity to participate in surgical procedures related to burn care and to develop manual skills during these procedures.
(SUR 462) Trauma Service
Physician in Charge: Ho H. Phan, M.D.
Students work as an acting intern on one of the two general surgery trauma teams, participating in the management of critically injured patients. Team hours consist of 24 hours on, 24 hours off. This is an extremely active trauma unit affording the student an opportunity to develop skills in the evaluation and resuscitation of the injured patient as well as perfecting an understanding of the physiology of shock and injury and its rational therapy.
(SUR 463) Critical Care
Physician in Charge: Christine S. Cocanour, M.D.
Students participate in the direct supervision of critically ill surgical patients in the surgery S.I.C.U. Each student is closely supervised by attending physicians. This elective provides for in-depth experience with management of critically ill patients and provides a firm basis in surgical physiology.
(SUR 467) Surgical Oncology
Physician in Charge: Richard Bold, M.D.
Students work as part of the Surgical Oncology team learning the medical and surgical principles applicable to cancer. Students participate in the care of major surgical oncologic problems and has the opportunity to learn the medical, radiologic and surgical approaches to cancer therapy.
(SUR 468) Cardiothoracic Surgery
Physician in Charge: CT Program Faculty
The student works as an acting intern, participating in perioperative management and operations on the heart, lungs, mediastinum and other thoracic structures. Regularly scheduled teaching conferences are conducted.
(SUR 471) Gastrointestinal Surgery
Physician in Charge: Hung Ho, M.D.
The service provides in-depth experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small bowel, colon and rectum, as well as disorders of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas and spleen. The primary emphasis of the student and junior housestaff is on diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative care of patients with G.I. problems under the direction of the chief resident and the attending faculty.
(SUR 472) Vascular Surgery
Physician in Charge: Misty Humphries, M.D.
Students experience inpatient and outpatient care of patients with vascular diseases and injuries. An orientation to the vascular laboratory is provided. Education includes clinical, OR, and Cath Lab participation, simulation, and didactic instruction.
Vascular surgery fourth year elective
(SUR 475) Pediatric Surgery
Physician in Charge: Pediatric Surgery Faculty
This represents an outstanding clinical service and affords students active involvement in care of patients with neonatal congenital surgical problems, fluid and electrolyte management in infants, and a general experience in acquired surgical diseases in children.
Department of Surgery Electives Contact:
Thanh Huynh, B.S.
General Surgery Education Administrator
Surgical Education and Simulation Fellowship Administrator
4th Year Medical Student Coordinator
2335 Stockton Blvd., 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916) 734-2726 Office
(916) 734-5633 Fax
Tvhhuynh@ucdavis.edu