Tacoma, Washington – The South Sound’s first general surgery residency program, sponsored by CHI Franciscan Health’s St. Joseph Medical Center, was approved this fall by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The residency program began accepting applications October 15th to fill the first class. The physicians-in-training will be selected on Match Day – March 15, 2019.

The residency program, the first in Pierce County, is designed to train the next generation of general surgeons.

According to a recent report from the Office of Financial Management/Health Care Research Center, Pierce County averages just 19 surgeons per 100,000 population, slightly less than the statewide average of 21. However, King County, which houses the only other general surgery programs in Washington state, exceeds the statewide average with 29 surgeons per 100,000 population. It is estimated that about 60 percent of physicians practice medicine within 50 miles of their residency program.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to announce the approval of our general surgery residency program,” said Tommy Brown, M.D., FACS, a CHI Franciscan surgeon and residency founding program director. “Residents will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become exceptional and compassionate general surgeons, allowing our program to successfully provide much needed medical services to everyone who needs them.”

The five-year program will consist of surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, trauma and acute care surgery, gynecologic oncology, urologic oncology, bariatric surgery, breast surgery, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, general surgery, transplant surgery, pediatric surgery and opportunity for electives in other subspecialties. Within the next five years the program will train a total of 10 general surgeons, adding two each year. In the future, the program plans to expand its class capacity to accept additional residents.

“The residency program will bring immense benefits to Pierce County, filling the need for general surgeons across our communities,” said Syd Bersante, market president for Pierce County at CHI Franciscan Health. “CHI Franciscan is dedicated to meeting the needs of the region, and I am confident our general surgery residency program will benefit the growing South Sound region for years to come.”

The General Surgery Residency Program at St. Joseph Medical Center will create an opportunity to blend the fundamentals of traditional surgical teachings with the modern principles of surgical training. Training will be led by diverse, experienced, and supportive clinical faculty members who work with our residents in a variety of settings, with a balance between inpatient and outpatient experiences.

About CHI Franciscan Health: CHI Franciscan Health is a Catholic nonprofit health system based in Tacoma, Washington, with $2.45 billion in total revenue and a team of more than 12,000 physicians, providers, nurses, and staff that provide expert, compassionate medical care at 11 acute care hospitals and over 200 primary and specialty care clinics throughout the greater Puget Sound. This includes St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor; St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood; St. Elizabeth Hospital, Enumclaw; St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way; St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma; Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton and Silverdale; Highline Medical Center, Burien; Regional Hospital, Burien; CHI Franciscan Rehabilitation Hospital, Tacoma, and Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital, Tacoma. Started in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, today CHI Franciscan is one of the largest health systems in Washington state. The system is comprised of more than 1,200 hospital beds and over 4,000 credentialed providers offering cardiovascular care, cancer care, orthopedics and sports medicine, neurosciences, women’s care and other health care services. CHI Franciscan’s mission is to create healthier communities, including caring for the poor and underserved. In fiscal year 2018, the organization provided $190 million in community benefit—free, subsidized, and reduced cost health care and programs. Follow CHI Franciscan on Facebook facebook.com/franciscanhealth, Twitter @FHSHealth and Instagram @franciscanhealth.

– CHI Franciscan