Research
New for the 2026–2027 Application Cycle Dedicated 7 Year Research Track
Historically, residents in our General Surgery Residency Program who were interested in pursuing dedicated research and professional development time could apply internally for two years of protected academic development between their PGY-2 and PGY-3 years. Participation was competitive and available to residents after joining the residency program.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 application cycle, we will introduce a Dedicated Research Track with two positions designated at the time of the Match. Applicants who are passionate about academic surgery, surgical education, scholarship, and leadership development will have the opportunity to enter residency with a clearly defined pathway that integrates dedicated professional development and research training into their surgical residency experience. The application will be through ERAS and match through NRMP. We will match 2 residents into our 7-Year Dedicated Research Track, and 4 residents into our Traditional Clinical Track . If you are interested in both the 7-Year Dedicated Research Track, and our Traditional Clinical Track, you do not need to apply to both, only apply to the 7-Year Dedicated Research Track and communicate that to us at the time of your interview your interest in both. You can then preference the program in the NRMP match accordingly.
7-Year Dedicated Research Track
Residents in the Dedicated Research Track will complete two years of structured professional development and scholarly activity between their PGY-2 and PGY-3 clinical years. During this time, residents will develop advanced skills in research design, scholarly dissemination, educational innovation, leadership, and academic career development while continuing to engage with the Department of Surgery community.
A cornerstone of this experience is participation in the Department of Surgery Scholarship and Research for Nebraska (DSSRN) Program. Through a comprehensive curriculum, residents gain the knowledge, mentorship, and practical experience necessary to conduct impactful research, innovate educational practices, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of surgical education.
The DSSRN program includes:
- Biweekly didactic sessions covering core topics in surgical research
- Monthly research project meetings with dedicated faculty mentorship
- Training in qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, education, and outcomes research
- Curriculum development and program evaluation experiences
- Manuscript development, grant writing, and dissemination training
- Leadership and professional development opportunities
- Education in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and data visualization in surgical research
Residents are expected to identify faculty mentors, develop a scholarly focus, and complete meaningful academic work during their dedicated research years. Fellowship requirements include active participation in the curriculum and scholarly productivity, including submission of abstracts and manuscripts to peer-reviewed venues.
The inaugural DSSRN cohort demonstrated substantial academic success, producing:
- 7 abstracts presented at scientific meetings
- 8 completed manuscripts
- A robust portfolio of scholarly and educational innovation projects
Upon successful completion of all fellowship requirements, residents receive a Certificate of Completion for the Department of Surgery Scholarship and Research for Nebraska (DSSRN) Program.
Traditional Clinical Track
Residents in the traditional pathway will complete five years of outstanding clinical surgical training. Opportunities for scholarly activity, quality improvement, educational innovation, and research will remain available to all residents throughout residency. Faculty mentorship, research support, conference participation, and departmental resources will continue to foster academic growth regardless of training pathway.
Why Create a Dedicated Research Track?
The creation of the Dedicated Research Track reflects the evolving landscape of surgical training and academic surgery. Our goal is to help our residents achieve their unique career goals while providing focused opportunities for scholarship, innovation, and leadership development.
By identifying Dedicated Research Track residents at the time of Match, we can provide early mentorship, intentional career development, and a structured academic curriculum from the beginning of training. This pathway is designed for future surgeon-scientists, surgical educators, and academic leaders who seek extensive scholarly training and protected time to develop the skills necessary for successful careers in academic surgery.
The introduction of this track allows our program to better support residents with a strong commitment to research while maintaining excellent opportunities for scholarly engagement across all residency pathways.