University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine Program

Program Identity & Fit

This is a large, university-affiliated general surgery program in San Antonio notable for its dual civilian-military identity, training 7 civilian and 2 US Air Force categorical residents per year alongside a substantial preliminary complement, with clinical experience spanning university hospital, VA, trauma, transplant, and private-practice rotations (Christus Santa Rosa, Baptist). Research is explicitly optional rather than mandatory, but the program has built out significant infrastructure for those who want it, including a department-funded MSCI/MSCI-TS degree and a dedicated Trauma Research Think Tank connecting civilian-military trauma systems (US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Brooke Army Medical Center). The program's own stated identity is producing "strong clinical general surgeons prepared for private practice but also highly competitive for fellowship training," reflecting a dual-track outcome orientation rather than a singular academic mission. Selection uses a values-based assessment (SurgWise/SelectWise) alongside traditional file review, and residents' input is explicitly weighted in candidate evaluation.