Marshall University School of Medicine Program

Program Identity & Fit

Marshall's General Surgery program is a long-standing (69th year), university-affiliated categorical program in Huntington, WV, that trains four categorical and three preliminary residents per year within a close-knit, family-like structure rather than a large tertiary powerhouse. The program is led largely by faculty who trained within it themselves, reflecting an identity built on continuity, mentorship, and community, with roughly 25 community and academic surgeons contributing to teaching. Operative volume is notably high (graduates average over 1,150 cases versus the 850 ACGME minimum), and board preparation is integrated longitudinally across all five years, indicating a program that prioritizes case-based competence and boards success over subspecialty research output. Recent fellowship placements (vascular surgery, surgical critical care, plastic and reconstructive surgery) show the program supports residents pursuing competitive subspecialty fellowships alongside those entering general surgical practice, and preliminary residents can pursue structured elective experiences in other specialties (orthopaedics, OB/GYN, IR, anesthesia) to support alternate career paths.