First Clinical Year
During the first year of training, the resident rotates through seven months of general surgery, one month each of orthopedic surgery, urology, neurosurgery, emergency and anesthesiology. The resident is encouraged to participate in one of many ongoing clinical research projects.

Second Clinical Year
During the second year of training the resident completes a one month rotation on transplant surgery at Hartford Hospital and a one month rotation at Bridgeport Hospital for burn care. At Saint Mary's the resident completes five months of rotation in both critical care and emergency/trauma, a month of cardiothoracic surgery, and four months of general surgery.

Post-Doctoral Research Year
The unique opportunity in basic science and clinical research at Yale University School of Medicine is provided during this year. In the past, residents have performed basic research in the areas of gastrointestinal physiology, plastic and burn surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. The resident is also awarded the opportunity to present his or her research at a variety of local, regional and national meetings as well as publish in peer reviewed journals.

Third Clinical Year
During the third year of clinical training the resident rotates on general surgery teams at Saint Mary's Hospital. This exposes the resident to a variety of cases in the areas of GI, vascular, thoracic, endocrine, pediatric and oncologic surgery. The resident plays a central role in management of these patients and on the trauma team. The resident also has a three month rotation for surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and a one month rotation at Connecticut Children's Medical Center for pediatric surgery. Clinical research is encouraged during this year.

Fourth Clinical Year
The senior resident gains experience in more advanced surgical cases. The resident spends the year on the General Surgery/Trauma teams at Saint Mary's Hospital. The fourth year resident is also responsible for supervising junior residents in the critical care and emergency/trauma rotations. Other responsibilities include providing medical student lectures and running the general surgery outpatient clinic.

Chief Resident Year
The chief resident has a wide variety of clinical and administrative responsibilities. During this year, one gains experience in advanced surgical techniques and oversees patient management by direct supervision of all junior residents. The chief resident serves as principle physician for all house general surgery and trauma patients. Administrative duties include managing resident rotation and on-call schedules, organizing the didactic lecture schedule for resident education, and participating in educational and policy-making committees of the Department of Surgery and Saint Mary's Hospital.