Clerkship Phase

Surgery Clerkship

In the clerkship phase of their education, students move from the classroom and into the hospital, where they build real-world experience with patients. At the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, students are required to complete seven clerkships, including the surgery clerkship. The Department of Surgery’s vision for the clerkship: To mentor the next generation of physicians in the foundations of surgical excellence.

A Letter From the Director

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Welcome to your clerkship in surgery! We hope you will find the rotation interesting, challenging, inspiring and, most of all, educational and fun. Whether or not you choose surgery as your career path, you will gain insight into the practice of surgery, which will help you care for patients in any field of medicine you have decided to pursue. We encourage you to be a proactive learner, ask questions and involve yourself thoroughly in your education. 

As a third year student, we want you to become an integral member of the surgical team. We — the faculty and residents — will rely on you to provide care for our patients. You will learn from the patients, too; you will have more time to spend with patients than other members of the team do. This gives you a unique opportunity to get to know your patients well, and one you might not have again. It is not uncommon for patients to call the student, “the doctor.”

We are your advocates, and you can talk to us about any concerns that might come up during your clerkship. We want you to take an active role in your medical education. Good luck!

Best Regards,
Tanya Anand, MD, MPH, FACS
Surgery Clerkship Director