Surgery Residency Program

Welcome to the General Surgery Residency Program at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine!

We are proud to offer a fully ACGME-accredited General Surgery Residency Program led by the dedicated full-time faculty of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. In addition, approximately 25 skilled faculty and community surgeons contribute to the training and mentorship of our residents, creating an unparalleled clinical and academic environment. Notably, Dr. Paul C. Bown, our Program Director, along with several of our teaching faculty, are proud alumni of this very program who have returned to help shape the next generation of surgeons.

Now entering its 69th year, our five-year program accepts four categorical residents per postgraduate year (PGY), along with three preliminary interns. This class size fosters a close-knit, collaborative culture where residents form strong bonds and support one another through the challenges and rewards of surgical training.

Our program is deeply committed not only to clinical and academic excellence, but also to resident well-being. We have developed a range of wellness initiatives, mentorship opportunities, and professional development resources to help residents maintain a healthy work-life balance, build resilience, and thrive throughout their training. Integral to this commitment is our emphasis on community engagement, providing residents meaningful opportunities to give back while fostering a sense of purpose and connection beyond the hospital walls.

We are proud of the accomplishments of our residents and the strength of our training program, reflected in recent highlights:

A strong tradition of preparing residents for success on the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Examination, supported by dedicated board preparation integrated throughout all five years of training.
Graduates in 2026 matched into competitive fellowships in Vascular Surgery (UConn and Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland), Surgical Critical Care (University of Kentucky), and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (Henry Ford Health).
Graduating residents averaged more than 1,150 operative cases over the past two years, far exceeding the ACGME minimum requirement of 850 cases.
A resident was recognized as GME Resident of the Month during the past academic year.
Residents earned multiple honors at the West Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, including a first-place finish in the Surgical Jeopardy competition and awards for abstract presentations and surgical simulation.
Residents represented the program at local, state, regional, and national conferences through research presentations, scholarly activity, and professional engagement.

As you explore programs this interview season, we invite you to learn more about what makes our training environment unique. Please browse our website and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

We look forward to supporting you on your journey to becoming a surgeon.

Warm regards,
General Surgery Residency Program Leadership Team