Each year, the department of colon and rectal surgery welcomes two residents to the program. The program lasts one year and is approved by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Eligible candidates should have completed a five-year residency program in general surgery.

Over the course of the program, each resident performs up to 1,200 surgeries, including 300 to 400 major abdominal procedures, 300 to 400 anorectal procedures, and 400 to 600 colonoscopies. In addition to the active inpatient service, the residents treat outpatients in a weekly clinic and assist staff surgeons in their practices. Residents can also participate in various clinical trials at one of Baylor University Medical Center’s research facilities.

Residents attend weekly didactic conferences encompassing all aspects of colorectal disease, including radiology and pathology. Residents also attend a biweekly gastrointestinal cancer conference and book conference, as well as a bimonthly Journal Club.