Best Medical Schools for Surgery

Surgery is an astounding and well-respected medical profession as it deals with complex medical procedures to save lives. However, the clinical knowledge and technical skills of Surgeons are not the only things to consider but also the determination and compassion they have to serve and alleviate the suffering of patients. 

Becoming one can take many years of schooling and longer if you decide to take up a subspecialization in Surgery. You also need to consider the medical school where you will take up a Surgery program. 

The different medical schools significantly vary and offer unique medical courses and training programs. This article will give you a list of the best medical school with excellent programs in Surgery.    

What is a Surgeon? 

Surgery is a medical specialization that uses operative techniques to examine and determine any underlying medical conditions. 

Some surgeries are conducted to support or confirm a suspected diagnosis, while others are performed to treat a medical condition. These diseases can be caused by substance abuse, traumatic injury, genetics, or an individual’s lifestyle. Other surgeries are conducted to improve bodily functions and enhance physical appearance. 

Here are some of the common medical conditions that Surgeons treat:

A Surgeon assesses and examines patients if they need surgery based on their medical condition. One of their responsibilities includes managing and monitoring the preoperative and postoperative treatments. 

This medical profession requires competency, accuracy, and exceptional motor skills. A surgeon performs medical procedures such as repairing or removing damaged tissues or body parts. 

And they also perform various types of surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgeries and other complex surgical procedures such as organ replacement, heart surgeries, and more. 

The American College of Surgeons approved 14 surgical subspecializations. Each of these subspecializations requires additional years in medical school to qualify as one. 

Here are the different sub-specializations in Surgery:

How Much Do Surgeons Earn?

A Surgeon usually earns more than a regular medical doctor. It is because surgeons have an immense responsibility for the lives of their patients, and it takes many years of hard work in medical school. And becoming a Surgeon also requires high levels of commitment and determination to succeed.

Below is the average salary rate of these specialists in different countries. The average rate significantly differs from one country to another.

The average annual salary of Surgeons based in the US is USD 419,100. 

And the starting salary range is between USD 295,494 to USD 354,400. 

Senior Surgeons can earn an average income of around USD 497,400 to USD 568,688. 

In the United Kingdom, the median salary for Surgeons is GBP 67,418, and Junior Surgeons have an average salary of GBP 38,000. 

The average yearly income of a highly skilled Surgeon is GBP 101,000. 

Surgeons working in Canada can earn an average wage of CAD 196,057, while those medical specialists with five to three years of experience can earn around CAD 90,000. Senior doctors under this specialization can have an average salary of CAD 375,000. 

In Australia, Surgeons have an average yearly wage of AUD 157,525. 

The entry-level salary for this specialization is around AUD 100,000. 

And Senior Surgeons can earn an average income of AUD 309,000. 

The average salary of Surgeons in Belgium is EUR 236,023 in a year. 

The entry-level salary is between EUR 153,443 to EUR 200,000. 

Those Surgeons with extensive experience in the field can earn an average annual salary of EUR 325,348. 

Surgeons based in the Netherlands have an average yearly income of EUR 228,441. 

A junior doctor specializing in Surgery with less than three years of experience can receive an annual salary of EUR 148,648. 

And Surgeons with more than five years of experience can earn as much as EUR 315,182 a year. 

Summary Table: Average Salary Rate of Surgeons in Different Countries

What are the Best Medical Schools for Surgery?

One of the most chosen specializations by most premed students is Surgery. The demand for Surgeons has increased rapidly over the years due to consistent innovation and advancements in medicine. 

New York has the highest employment number of Surgeons, which estimates at around 4,210 specialists, and it is followed by Florida with 2,820 employed Surgeons last 2021. 

This medical profession has a high earning potential, which is why most consider this career path. Deciding on a career in medicine should be carefully planned, researched, and considered, especially when choosing a medical school. 

To become a successful Surgeon, one’s educational background and training play a significant role.  This section will provide you with the best medical schools in Surgery that you can choose from. Every medical school offers outstanding Surgery residency and fellowship programs to aspiring Surgeons.

Harvard University

Harvard University is known as one of the best universities for studying medicine. The Harvard Medical School (HMS) is a globally recognized institution in surgical education, medical training, research facility, and clinical care leadership. 

 The institution is also dedicated to introducing specialized medical programs and ethical medical care. They provide supervised opportunities in clinical settings that foster professional development and field-based mentored research programs. 

Why Study Surgery at Harvard?

The Surgery Department offers its residents state-of-the-art surgical care facilities and training programs. 

The department is centered on innovation and principles in safety and quality surgical care. It also provides a rigorous curriculum in predoctoral and postdoctoral subspecialization in Surgery. 

It consistently delivers quality medical and educational programs in both surgical and anesthesia care. Also, it provides optimized residency and fellowship training programs focusing on treating the most common and complex diseases through Surgery. 

The program is highly interactive and aims to develop the skills of aspiring Surgeons through extensive experiences in their affiliated teaching hospitals. The residents will be exposed to new surgical technologies, data management, and academic mentorship. 

The residents will also participate in and handle real-time surgical procedures during their residency and fellowship training. They will work with top surgeons in the field.

Johns Hopkins University

John Hopkins University is a dynamic educational institution that consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the country. And it is also recognized for providing the most up-to-date educational programs and evidence-based teaching. 

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is a prestigious medical school in the country that delivers hands-on training experience to aspiring medical doctors. It is committed to impacting the medical community through its exceptional and well-rounded medical professionals. 

Why Study Surgery at John Hopkins?

The Department of Surgery  at Johns Hopkins is a notable institution that offers a Surgery program.  It is also accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). It follows the highest international clinical standards in its training and academic system. 

The students on their surgical clerkship will have an 8 weeks rotation in General Surgery and other subspecializations, including Breast Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, and more. 

It allows the students to broaden their understanding of the surgical practice. And it also allows them to enhance their skills and knowledge of common surgical problems. They will also learn to devise alternatives and treatments for these medical conditions. 

The program will also expose the residents to performing various basic surgical procedures such as venipuncture, placement of an intravenous catheter, insertion of urethral catheter, insertion of nasogastric tube, removal of surgical drains, closure of surgical incisions, removal of sutures, dressing changes, and more.

Duke University 

Duke University School of Medicine is a world-class medical teaching institution. The medical school provides an excellent opportunity for students through its innovative educational system, active learning opportunities, and medical research programs. 

It offers integrated programs that focus on improving the world of medicine with its cutting-edge facilities and collaborations with different teaching hospitals in the country.

Why Study Surgery at Duke University?

DukeMed Department of Surgery is a dedicated institution that offers a comprehensive training program for physicians. It is also recognized for its established clinical excellence in Surgery and fellowship training programs. 

The medical school’s Surgery program is centered on General Surgery and its other subspecialties, such as Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oncology Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Abdominal Transplant, and more. 

The program also offers a diverse clinical training environment at Duke University, Duke Raleigh, Duke Regional, and Cone Health Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro, NC. 

The residents will also have their research fellowship training, exposing them to different levels of academic biomedical research. It is an integral part of the Surgery program that will help residents hone their skills in experimental study design, execution, and evaluation. 

Aspiring surgeons will also gain a broad experience in operative surgery through their rotations in community and affiliated medical centers. 

University of California - San Francisco 

University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is one of the highly competitive and most diverse educational institution in the United States. The university puts emphasis on academic research and provides integrated training programs.

Why Study Surgery at the University of California?

The Department of Surgery at UCSF is one of the university's most extensive clinical teaching services. It prepares its residents with top-quality residency training programs that center on an inquiry-focused learning environment. 

The medical school is also known for its vast opportunities in basic science research and significant contributions to developing surgical practice, wound healing, fetal surgery, vascular disease, and more. 

The program in Surgery covers not only General Surgery but also other specialties, including Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, Colorectal, Vascular, Pediatric, Transplantation, Cardiothoracic, Plastic, Trauma, and Endocrine Surgery. 

Residents are exposed to other surgical specializations such as ENT, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Urology, Critical Care, and Anesthesia. 

The learning exposure in surgical training is divided into pre-operative and post-operative patient care, surgical technique workshops, service rounds, and more. 

The program also includes a private-practice clinical setting training wherein residents will work with private community-based surgeons and other specialists. It also covers all the disciplines in Surgery and offers an outstanding research program. 

University of Toronto

University of Toronto has an excellent reputation when it comes to its educational programs. It is internationally recognized and consistently ranks as one of the top universities worldwide. 

The University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine is a highly diverse institution centered on evidence-informed practice and medical training. Each of its medical education programs is delivered individually and holistically. 

Why Study Surgery at the University of Toronto?

The Department of Surgery is the nation’s leading institution in Transplantation, Trauma Care, and Surgical Oncology. It offers residency training in all surgical specialties. It is highly committed to providing the best technical training for its residents. 

The fellowship program of the school is the most comprehensive and complex surgical training in Canada. It provides excellent learning opportunities to its residents to be highly exposed to practicing Acute Care Surgery, Trauma, and Critical Care. 

Residents will also be introduced to the best surgical practices, teamwork, and collaboration with various Surgeons and specialists in the field. They will also be learning about patient safety, prevention of surgical infections, and improving patients' surgical needs. 

The department is also committed in advancing the integration of research education with a variety of designed topics in Surgery and its other subspecializations. It will hone the critical thinking skills, confidence, and professionalism of its residents. 

Stanford University

Stanford Medicine is one of the top medical schools with the highest standards for medical education, including patient care, biomedical research, residency, and fellowship training. 

It is also globally recognized for its contribution to the advancement of medicine by developing new strategies in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various medical conditions. 

Why Study Surgery at Stanford University?

The General Surgery Residency Program of Stanford Medicine provides unparalleled training for its residents. The program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills of the students. 

The residency program is also integrated with other medical specializations, including Interventional Radiology, Anesthesiology, Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Urology, and more. 

It offers a vast opportunity for its residents to experience direct supervision from different Surgeons attending complex cases in a natural hospital setting. The program aims to expose its residents to ambulatory settings, manage inpatient bed service, and provide preoperative and postoperative patient care services. 

Junior residents will also get to perform surgical cases at the beginning of their fellowship training. It aims to develop confidence and responsibility and exhibit independent surgical judgment and patient management of the students. 

Summary Table: Best Medical Schools for Surgery

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