The requirements for the American Board of Urology include two years of pre-urology general surgery training. All residents in the Lahey Urology Residency Program will have their pre-urology general surgery training at Lahey Clinic.

In 1995, Lahey Clinic started its own residency in general surgery after many years of rotating residents or fellows from other institutions. The surgical specialties are well established at the Clinic, with faculty combining busy clinical practices with strong academic credentials. In addition, having outpatient clinics, hospital rooms, and operating rooms under one roof allows residents to readily participate in outpatient evaluation, operative procedures, post-operative care, and post-hospital follow-up.

In an evolving medical climate, Lahey Clinic offers an efficient and effective model for delivering surgical care. The combination of an active emergency service with 2,400 annual surgical visits, a community-based practice, and wide tertiary referral base ensures a broad range of cases. Furthermore, Lahey Clinic is well staffed with 24-hour ancillary support, which minimizes routine work. In addition, overnight on-call responsibility is covered by a night-float system on weekdays. On weekends, it is divided equally between residents-equivalent to approximately three weekend calls per month.

The first year (PGY1) rotations include General Surgery, Trauma, Colorectal Surgery, Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia. The second year (PGY2) rotations include two months of General Surgery, three months in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) and seven months of Urological Surgery.

There is an active General Surgery conference schedule that includes Journal Club, Mortality & Morbidity Conference, Tumor Board, and Surgical Grand Rounds. Residents also participate in a weekly basic science course led by Lahey Clinic faculty and invited guest speakers. A surgical skills simulation center provides unrestricted access to laproscopic trainers in addition to special surgical skill workshops-including cadaver exercises-which are facilitated by attending surgeons.