The University of Arizona General Surgery Residency Program is a five-year, ACGME-accredited program dedicated to developing highly competent and compassionate surgeons prepared for independent practice and leadership in their chosen fields.
Our educational philosophy is grounded in a simple principle: excellent surgeons are developed through intentional and deliberate practice. We believe that surgical education should be more than exposure to cases or learning through experience alone. We provide residents with clear goals, progressive responsibility, meaningful feedback, and opportunities to reflect and improve.
As residents demonstrate continued progress toward competence, they assume increasing autonomy in patient care and operative decision-making. Faculty provide mentorship and supervision while creating a safe environment in which residents can develop confidence and independence.
Our program provides a broad and diverse clinical experience across a wide range of surgical conditions and practice environments, allowing residents to develop the judgment, operative skills, adaptability, and professionalism required of an independent surgeon.
We maintain high expectations for every resident while recognizing that each resident brings different strengths, needs, and career aspirations. Faculty work with residents to identify areas for growth and support their development as individual surgeons. Our graduates pursue diverse career paths, including fellowship training, academic surgery, and private and community-based practices, and we support each resident in achieving their professional goals.
Intentional practice extends beyond the operating room. Our longitudinal curriculum integrates simulation, operative skills development, clinical reasoning, and deliberate practice with clinical learning and assessment. Residents work toward defined objectives, receive specific feedback, and have opportunities to refine their skills. These experiences complement operative training and help residents progressively translate knowledge and skills into clinical performance.
As an academic program, we value curiosity, inquiry, scholarship, and lifelong learning. Residents have opportunities to engage in clinical and translational research, surgical education, quality improvement, and other scholarly activities. We encourage residents to ask meaningful questions, critically evaluate evidence, and contribute to advancing surgical care. Dedicated research opportunities and advanced degrees are available for residents seeking a more structured academic experience.
Central to our program is the relationship between residents and faculty. We foster a collegial, supportive, and intellectually curious environment in which faculty serve as teachers, mentors, and role models. We expect residents to take ownership of their education, support one another, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.
Our goal is to develop surgeons who are technically capable, clinically sound, thoughtful in their decision-making, committed to their patients, and prepared to lead. We want our graduates to leave residency with the skills, judgment, confidence, and commitment to lifelong improvement required to become experts and provide excellent surgical care throughout their careers.
We invite you to learn more about the University of Arizona General Surgery Residency Program and consider joining a program committed to your growth as a surgeon, educator, and future leader.
Sincerely,
Iman Ghaderi, MD, MSc, MHPHE, FRCSC, FACS, DABS-FPMBS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Director, Bariatric Surgery Program at Banner University Medical Center – Tucson
Program Director, Advanced GI/MIS Fellowship Program at Banner University Medical Center – Tucson
Program Director, General Surgery Residency
Program Director, Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Minimally Invasive Surgery
University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Tucson
Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery
Section of Bariatrics/Minimally Invasive Surgery