The General Surgery Residency, in existence for over 50 years, became affiliated with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria at its inception in 1971. We are a fully accredited, five-year program approved to finish four chief residents each year.

Residents participate in robotic surgery training

What to Expect

Our General Surgery Residency Program is a university program based in a large tertiary care medical center serving the medical needs of Central Illinois with state-of–the-art facilities. Our residents spend some time in a secondary teaching hospital. As part of the downstate program for the University of Illinois, the UICOMP Department of Surgery is committed to preparing surgeons to provide surgical care in a variety of settings. Graduates of our residency program must, therefore, develop clinical and operative skills to manage a full spectrum of illnesses treated by General Surgeons including emphasis on:

  • General Surgery
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Colon and Rectal Surgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Endoscopy and Laparoscopic Surgery

Residents are expected to develop and mature research skills that will enhance their surgical knowledge and allow them to critically and independently evaluate new information and discoveries in their field. Our program will require and promote an attitude of seeking continuous professional self-improvement.

Program Culture

This is a pro-resident environment with strong ancillary hospital services. Our curriculum is flexible, to accommodate personal goals; our fine faculty is dedicated to the education of our residents.

Program Updates

The General Surgery Residency Program has been approved to recruit five categorical positions beginning with the 2024 recruitment season. We are very excited to recruit an additional bright young surgeon to our complement. Those applicants truly interested in our program should use one of their 15 available signals to highlight their application in the screening process.

The Program has also been approved to resume in-person interviews. The faculty and residents will host a Meet & Greet the evening before each interview date on Thursdays. Our GME department will sponsor accommodation for one night for each candidate.

**Flight assistance may be available. Inquiries should be submitted by email. Applications will be accepted until October 4th at 5 p.m. Email Kathy Slater at kjslater@uic.edu for more information.

Applying for the Residency Heading link

Learn about our process, requirements and deadlines.

This Year's Important Dates

October 2nd at 5 p.m. (Central Time) – DEADLINE: Application and required secondary application via survey link. No Applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed.

October 5th-October 23rd – Review of applications.

October 23rd-November 1st –  First round of invitations sent October 23.

Program Social each Thursday evening before each interview day.

Fridays, November 8, November 22, and December 13 – In-person Interviews.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted solely through ERAS and selection is based on academic records, accomplishments, recommendations, signals and the final selection based on in-person interviews. We have no minimum test score but require that Step 1 and Step 2 have been passed. We appreciate three Letters of Recommendation from academic surgeons who are closely familiar with the applicant rather than titled faculty positions. Five categorical General Surgery residents are chosen annually through the National Resident Matching Program. Our program offers no preliminary positions in General Surgery. The employing institution will sponsor H1B visas and the sponsoring institution UICOMP will sponsor J1 visas.

In addition to the application, candidates are asked to answer three questions through a survey link provided here, https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0qg7tlZDsq8MG6a, and emailed applicants upon the opening of ERAS to Programs. Please have your complete application submitted by the opening day of ERAS. October 2nd at 5 p.m. (Central Time) is the application and supplemental questions survey deadline. No applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed.

Invitations for interviews will be sent out between October 23rd and November 1st. Candidates have 48 hours to accept an invitation to interview. Interviews for the five categorical openings will be scheduled for three dates in November and December for in-person interviews only.

Training Facilities Heading link

Kathy Slater Heading link

UICOMP Department of Surgery, Residency Program Coordinator

624 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61603