Surgery, Pediatric Surgery Residencies Accredited for 10 Years

Published March 7, 2014 This content is archived.

Story based on news release by Ellen Goldbaum

Reflecting more opportunity for resident input and strong community partnerships, the University at Buffalo’s residency training programs in surgery and pediatric surgery have been granted accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

“This is a vote of confidence from the ACGME and recognizes the efforts of the general surgery and pediatric surgery leadership, faculty, staff and residents. ”
Roseanne C. Berger, MD
Senior associate dean for graduate medical education
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The accreditation remains in effect for both programs for 10 years.

Strong Partnerships

The council’s decision “reflects the strong partnerships we have with our affiliate hospitals and the community,” notes Michael E. Cain, MD, UB vice president for health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

“As we anticipate our move to our new, state-of-the-art school on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, in close proximity to our partners, we remain committed to providing the best medical education and patient care,” he says.

Resident Achievement Consistently Positive

UB’s surgery and pediatric surgery residents have consistently scored higher than the national average on board exams, and surgery residents consistently obtain fellowships at prestigious institutions around the country, says Gregory Cherr, MD, associate professor of surgery.

The council’s full accreditation follows an October 2013 site visit by its Residency Review Committee and a careful review of data UB submitted chronicling various improvements.

“This is a vote of confidence from the ACGME and recognizes the efforts of the general surgery and pediatric surgery leadership, faculty, staff and residents,” says Roseanne C. Berger, MD, senior associate dean for graduate medical education.

New Leaders Bring Notable Skills, Expertise

Along with many areas across UB, all 60 residency programs of the medical school are being transformed under new leadership, Cain says.

Cherr, an accomplished vascular surgeon and director of the general surgery residency program since 2012, was one of six medical educators nationwide to receive an Arnold P. Gold Foundation scholarship in 2011 to attend the prestigious Harvard Macy Institute. As a result, he has developed innovative, interdisciplinary leadership and teamwork simulation scenarios to enhance surgical training utilizing UB’s Behling Simulation Center.

Cherr also is on the faculty of the UB/Royal College of Physicians Educator Program.

As of 2014, Carroll McWilliams (Mac) Harmon, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in minimally invasive surgery and the treatment of adolescent obesity, is leading pediatric surgery at UB as a professor of surgery and division chief.