Overview
Welcome to the Duke Physician Assistant Surgical Residency Program and to Durham, North Carolina, birthplace of the physician assistant profession. The PA Profession originated at Duke in the mid 1960s. Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr., then Chairman of the Department of Medicine, believed that physician assistants could increase consumer access to health services by extending the time and skills of the physician. His vision, guidance, and influence were instrumental in founding the Duke PA Program which continues to flourish as one of the premier PA training programs in the country.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Training Track
Our CT training track has been extremely successful since its inception three years ago. Again, we are very pleased to be able to continue to offer this highly educational option to our residents. In addition to the established didactic and clinical curricula, six rotations in CT Surgery are offered. Rotations include adult cardiac surgery, general thoracic surgery, transplant surgery, cardiac intensive care unit and OR coverage. Experienced CT Surgical Physician Assistants assist in developing and perfecting OR skills including suturing and endoscopic conduit harvesting.
Didactic Curriculum
Lectures, seminars, and laboratories have been designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of surgical disease processes. Instruction will cover general surgery and subspecialty topics. Emphasis will be placed on the perioperative management of surgical patients including fluids and electrolytes, hyperalimentation, acid/base balance, surgical emergencies, complications, and evaluation of specific organ systems. In addition to classroom/laboratory instruction, the didactic curriculum will include weekly Attending Rounds, Grand Rounds, Surgical Case Conference and other conferences organized by the Department of Surgery.
The initial didactic curriculum will conclude with preparation for clinical rotations. Time is designated for rounding with the surgical team and becoming familiar with the routine of the surgical service before assuming clinical responsibilities.
Clinical Curriculum
Physician Assistant Residents will be assigned duties similar to those of first year (PGY1) physician surgical residents. Duties will include history & physical examinations, writing patient orders and progress notes in the hospital record, responding to and evaluating patient problems, making rounds, ordering diagnostic studies, assisting in the operating room, and performing invasive procedures with appropriate oversight by the supervising physician. Night call will be assigned on a rotating basis.
The PA resident will be assigned first-call responsibilities with appropriate supervision and within the scope of his/her practice parameters. The PA Resident will avail himself/herself of additional direction and/or assistance as needed. As required by state law, all clinical activities of the PA Resident will be supervised by the PA Resident's supervising physician.
Contact Information
Sherry M. Davi
Program Coordinator
Duke University Medical Center
Physician Assistant Surgical Residency Program
DUMC Box 3704
Rm 7689 HAFS Building
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: (919) 681-7891
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