Program Director's Message

We train outstanding surgeons and leaders by providing one of the nation's premier clinical experiences within a community defined by exceptional people.

Welcome to the General Surgery Residency Program at Carolinas Medical Center.

At Carolinas Medical Center, we believe the best surgical training combines extraordinary clinical experience, meaningful mentorship, progressive autonomy, and a supportive culture that allows residents to thrive.

Our program offers one of the most comprehensive clinical and operative experiences in the country. As a major regional referral center, we care for a diverse patient population spanning the full breadth of surgical disease, from routine general surgery to the most complex tertiary and quaternary referrals. Our residents have the privilege of caring for the people of Charlotte and the surrounding region, serving a vibrant and rapidly growing community while providing care to patients across the Carolinas and beyond.

Residents graduate with case volumes that consistently exceed national requirements and, more importantly, with the confidence and judgment that come from serving as the primary surgeon across a remarkable breadth of operative procedures and complex clinical challenges. 

We are deeply committed to graduated autonomy. Our faculty invest in developing independent surgeons by providing increasing responsibility throughout training within a culture of close mentorship and support. Our goal is simple: to prepare residents to enter fellowship or practice fully equipped to lead teams, care for patients, and operate with confidence from day one.

Beyond clinical training, residents have access to a wide range of scholarly opportunities in clinical, educational, outcomes, and health services research. Whether pursuing academic surgery, fellowship training, community practice, or another career path, residents receive the mentorship and resources needed to achieve their goals.

While our clinical experience is exceptional, the true strength of our program is our people.

We are fortunate to train some of the most talented, dedicated, and compassionate residents in the country. Our residents challenge one another to improve, support one another through the demands of training, and create a culture that is collaborative, humble, and genuinely welcoming. The camaraderie among our residents is one of the defining characteristics of our program.

Our faculty are equally remarkable. They are outstanding surgeons, educators, and mentors who are deeply invested in resident development and success. They know our residents personally, advocate for them professionally, and are committed to helping each individual reach their full potential.

Together, our residents and faculty have built a culture that is ambitious, supportive, and centered on excellence. It is a privilege to be part of this community, and it is one of the many reasons I believe there is no better place to train in general surgery than Carolinas Medical Center.

I encourage you to explore our website and connect with our residents and faculty. We welcome the opportunity to share our program with you and help you discover whether Carolinas is the right place for your surgical journey.

Thank you for your interest in Carolinas Medical Center General Surgery. We look forward to showing you what makes this program so special and helping you become the surgeon and person you aspire to be.

Interview Dates for 2027 Match: 

Please check back for interview dates. 

Please note a few important points to keep in mind if you are invited for a virtual interview: 

• Applications for our program should be submitted through the application portal (ERAS/Thalamus).
• Your main point of contact will be with our Program Coordinator, Tyler Rape. Tyler will send interview invitations to selected candidates via the application portal (ERAS/Thalamus). After your interview is scheduled, Tyler will send you information specific to your interview day. 
• Applicants are expected to attend a virtual "Meet and Greet" with our residents the evening prior to the virtual interview. This is an essential opportunity for you to interact with our residents, ask questions, and develop a sense of what makes our program special. If you are unable to join this session, please let us know well in advance and we will work to schedule you for another date, as this is a critical part of the application process. 
• On the day of your virtual interview, the Program Director and Chair of the Department of Surgery will spend some time talking about our program and organization. There will be time for you to interact with them and ask questions. 
• The virtual interview process: Applicants interview with the Program Director (1:1) and three faculty members (1:1). Applicants also meet with residents for Q&A opportunities (one session specific to PGY1 residents). 
• After virtual interviews are conducted, both virtual and in-person Open House events will be offered for those interested in finding out more about the program. These events will be occur after our rank list is finalized. 

I hope this information helps you prepare for a virtual interview process that you will find pleasant and informative. To help you learn more about our program, please check our website for updated information and be sure to follow our Instagram account.  

Thank you for your interest in Carolinas Medical Center’s General Surgery Residency. I look forward to hearing from you!  

Sincerely, 

Jessica K. McCool, MD, FACS
Program Director
General Surgery Residency Program
Carolinas Medical Center