Changing Medicine, Changing Lives

At Iowa, you’ll be well prepared, whether you follow a path toward general surgery or continue for a fellowship in a surgical subspecialty. We take pride in offering our residents a superior education aimed at providing leading-edge patient care and advancing our field through basic-science and clinical research. 

Our residents are prepared for success along whatever career path they choose—academics, subspecialties, or private practice.

Surgery groups on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Why Choose Our Program

Residency training is a top priority for all members of the surgery faculty. You’ll move through a well-engineered program that provides you with increasing responsibility from year one to year five.

Medical students and residents, in the surgical residency training program, work under the supervision of the surgical staff as they make their rounds. Residents consulting with surgical staff.

Start Your Application

Explore required documentation, certification, and how to apply.

Surgery Department Group at UIHC on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

Get to Know Our People

Hear what our current residents have to say about their experiences and meet your future team.

Hear from our residents

Dana van der Heide, MD, MPH

I think that what makes our program at Iowa unique is that we are a large academic medical center situated in a very large rural area. What that means for our trainees is that we have a lot of patients who use our institution for their basic surgical care and that gives us a solid foundation in general surgery techniques that everybody needs to know.

Dana van der Heide, MD, MPH

Class of 2025

Surgery research

Explore your research opportunities

Different from many residency programs, ours will immerse you in research that’s informed by your own curiosity and passion. You’ll not only have the support of a faculty mentor, but the laboratory and computing resources of a major academic medical center.

Explore Research Opportunities

Explore your rotations

We offer a diverse and comprehensive curriculum. 

Click here to learn more about the General Surgery Residency rotations.

Explore rotations

Medical students and residents, in the surgical residency training program, work under the supervision of the surgical staff as they make their rounds.
Medical students and residents, in the surgical residency training program, work under the supervision of the surgical staff as they make their rounds. Residents consulting with surgical staff.

Explore our surgical skills training

You’ll take part in weekly simulation-based skills training led by expert faculty.
These sessions are designed to help you build confidence and technical ability in a supportive, low-stress environment.

Explore Surgical Skills Lab

GME at UI Health Care

Football Stadium

Experience Iowa City

Iowa City is a vibrant community setting, where it’s possible to bike or walk from a comfortable neighborhood to our medical center. Because we’re part of a vibrant Big Ten university campus, you’ll find arts, sports, entertainment, and recreation activities abound. 

Exterior shots of UIHC

GME Benefits

Graduate Medical Education at University of Iowa Health Care offers multiple benefits and opportunities for residents and fellows, featuring competitive stipends and health coverage.

Interested in Becoming a Resident?

Ready to apply? Start here.