St. Anthony - General Surgery Residency
The St. Anthony Hospital general surgery residency program is committed to ensuring excellence in general surgical education through training, self-directed learning, patient care and advocacy, and leadership development.
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Program Summary
The St. Anthony Hospital general surgery residency is a five-year ACGME-accredited program sponsored by Kansas City University Graduate Medical Education. Our program is committed to assuring excellence in surgical education through training and self-directed learning, patient care and advocacy, and leadership development.
Our residency aims to provide strong clinical training within a robust surgical environment where our faculty and staff will help develop future academic and community leaders to best support each resident's professional development. This is amplified by an inclusive environment where people have a sense of belonging, respect, and value for one another.
Program goals:
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Demonstrate surgical skills to be applied in practice
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Educate residents to maintain compassion while dealing with patients, families and each other
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Graduate competent clinical surgeons capable of handling trauma cases
Sub-Internship/Audition Rotation
We will offer one-month rotations to fourth year medical students running August through November 2024. This rotation will include two weeks with general surgery and two weeks with trauma including intensive care unit (ICU).
Below you will see the initial application requirements. We are not accepting international medical students or international medical graduates. Please email Norma Jean, program coordinator, with required documents and the months that work best with your schedule.
Application requirements:
- Letter from medical school dean reporting applicant is in good standing and currently enrolled in a United States DO or MD program.
- First attempt pass with > 240 on USMLE Step 1, or > 560 on COMLEX Level 1, or first attempt passing if not scored (after 1/26/24). Please include scores.
- Passing grade on general surgery clerkship in (O)MS III with letter of recommendation from a general surgeon.
- Current CV
- Letter of interest (350-word limit) answering these three questions:
- Why would you like to do a St. Anthony general surgery rotation?
- Why would you choose surgery as a career?
- What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
Eight students will be accepted. Applications are due on March 31st. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
"The surgery residency at St. Anthony Hospital is an innovative, community-based program devoted to leadership, personal growth and excellence. Our supportive team environment creates skilled, compassionate and ethical surgeons."
Frequently Asked Questions
The St. Anthony Hospital is the main hub for the residency within the CommonSpirit Health system and is located in Lakewood, CO. St. Anthony, a Level 1 trauma center, combines a heritage of expert care with the latest in technology and innovation.
St. Anthony Hospital has 11 operating rooms, including Trauma Room 10, and a hybrid endovascular operating room. A day surgery unit is currently under construction and will add more operating rooms to our hospital when completed. There are two surgical systems where residents can practice and refine robotic surgical skills in the main operating room.
Our physicians and clinical staff play a vital role in training our residents by providing opportunities to participate in journal club, surgical skills modules and weekly didactic session, acute care surgery morbidity and mortality, and trauma morbidity and mortality. In addition, residents rotate through St. Anthony Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, Porter Adventist Hospital, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver Health Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center.
Residency program applications are accepted and reviewed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Each year a total of 2 residents are appointed to the program.
Application requirements:
- Application
- Personal Statement
- Dean’s letter and three letters of recommendation submitted through ERAS - applications are considered incomplete until all documents are received
- Medical School transcript from an accredited DO or MD medical school
- COMLEX level 1 and 2, or USMLE step 1 and 2 are accepted
- First attempt pass required
- We are unable to sponsor applicants requiring a visa
Strong preference will be given to DO, or MD applicants who are eligible to obtain full licensure in the state of Colorado at the end of the PGY-I year in training.
- The Colorado Board of Medical Examiners requires one year of postgraduate US education for US and Canadian graduates and requires three years postgraduate US education for international graduates before licensure may be granted. If you have questions regarding Colorado licensure, contact the Board of Medical Examiners.
Phone: 303-894-7690
Interview Information:
- Applications are reviewed by mid-October. Applications received after November 1st will only be reviewed if a second round of application review is necessary.
- Interviews are scheduled late October through early January
- The interview process includes:Interviews with Program Director, current residents, and attending surgeons
- Campus tours
- Personal tours of the campus will be made available to candidates if so desired after the formal interview process
- Sample Contract (for illustrative purposes only)
- We appoint up to two residents per year
The interview process may be subject to a virtual setting depending on pandemic restrictions.
For activities to explore during your visit to Colorado, visit Explore Colorado.
We do not offer audition rotations at this time. However, we hope to launch this program in academic year 2024-2025 - please check back.
The St. Anthony Medical Campus is the main hub for the residency within the CommonSpirit Health system and is located in Lakewood, Colorado. St. Anthony (Level 1 Trauma Center) combines a heritage of expert care with the latest in technology and innovation. In addition to the hospital, our medical campus offers OrthoColorado Hospital - the only orthopedic specialty hospital in the region, plus, our three Medical Office Plazas where you'll find the St. Anthony Breast Center, Cancer Center, Senior Health Center and more.
Trauma Room 10 (T-10) at St. Anthony Hospital is Colorado’s first dedicated trauma-operating suite that enables critically injured patients to go directly to the operating theatre upon their arrival with EMS (including Flight For Life® Colorado). The T-10 suite is fully equipped and ready at all times to accept seriously injured trauma patients who may need emergency surgery – including dedicated radiology, EKG, lab, and other services. The high-speed dedicated elevator provides even faster access to this field-to-surgery suite.
St. Anthony Hospital is recognized internationally as an innovative leader in trauma system development, emergency transport, intensivist teamwork, sub-specialty intensive care unit operation, and physician-through-paramedic education. It's service to Colorado, the Rocky Mountain region, and the world spans more than 125 years, confirming its place among the nation’s first sites for shock trauma care, creating a unique environment for our residency program.
St. Anthony Hospital is a showcase of some of the most advanced technology and smart building features including:
- 10 Surgical suites, including a Hybrid operating room.
- Private patient rooms - specialized patient lifting devices enhance safety and comfort, this is a place designed for extraordinary patient care.
- Customized elevator - speeds trauma patients from the helipad to our unique T-10 field-to-surgery suite in just three seconds.
St. Anthony Hospital is a full-service, acute care hospital with specialties including:
- Cardiology program and rapid response heart attack care - St. Anthony Hospital is treating heart attacks 38 minutes faster than the national average and is recognized nationally among leading agencies including the American Heart Association.
- Comprehensive Stroke Center - Our stroke program holds a Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and has earned the 2016 American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
- Emergency care and Level I Shock Trauma Center - We are equipped with a dedicated trauma room, T-10, which is the only surgical suite of its kind in Colorado. We also operate Flight for Life® Colorado, providing emergency air transport throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.
- Cancer and oncology - St. Anthony Hospital has a combined radiotherapy technology system.
- Breast Center – Nationally accredited breast center offering 3D Tomosynthesis, the latest in mammography technology.
- Neurosurgery and neurology specialties through the Neurosciences Center - Our neuroscience program offers an exceptional degree of multidisciplinary collaboration from a medical team that includes expert doctors, radiologists, specially trained nurses and rehabilitation specialists along with the latest technology.
- Minimally invasive surgery - allowing surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures such as prostatectomy, colectomies, complex hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction and more through very small incisions with unmatched precision. We have two robots and one training console, with second training console coming soon.
- Sleep Disorders Center - State-of-the-art sleep clinic and board-certified sleep doctors to diagnose all types of sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and more.
Hospitals residents will rotate at include:
- Porter Adventist Hospital (Denver, CO)
- Summit Medical Center (Frisco, CO)
- Avista Adventist Hospital (Louisville, CO)
- Children’s Hospital (Aurora, CO)
- University of Colorado (Aurora, CO)
- Denver Health Medical Center (Denver, CO)
- VA Medical Center (Aurora, CO)
Workspace:
- St. Anthony houses a spacious residency office and learning area.
- Each resident has their own desk and computer system.
- Electronic health records - EPIC is used at all CommonSpirit hospitals, and residents have remote access.
- Dragon dictaphones are provided
Our program is accredited with the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Our curriculum reflects the ACGME and the American Board of Surgery (ABS) requirements.
As described by ACGME, we expect our graduating residents to be competent in six areas.
It is necessary to master knowledge specific to diseases and operations when caring for the surgical patient. However, knowledge of systems and conditions that affect the body as a whole, such as sepsis or coagulopathy, must also be learned. Our program encourages the Resident to care for the whole patient not just the surgical issue.
Rotation
The Resident will be assigned to a service/specialty for one month. Duty hours will vary based on the preceptors’ schedule, surgery schedule and other factors. Residents will also be expected to attend conferences and committee meetings as mentioned in the Conferences section. One half day minimum of clinic is required each week during every rotation.
View an EXAMPLE of a block schedule.
Duty hours
Each resident in the program will document by program completion, participation, under appropriate supervision, a minimum of 850 major surgical procedures, as surgeon or first assistant. Of these 850 procedures, each resident should average 170 cases per year.
Resident work hours are in compliance with the guidelines established by ACGME and will be limited to 80 hours per week averaged over a four-week period, inclusive of in-house night call and any allowed moonlighting. Residents will be provided one in seven days free from all educational and clinical responsibilities- averaged over a four-week period and shall have no call responsibility during the time. When vacation time is taken, it will be averaged over a three-week period. Residents shall not work in excess of 24 consecutive hours with an additional 4 hours allowed (PGY+) for transitions of patient care must occur for patient safety and resident education.
The Program provides regularly scheduled conferences and teaching opportunities at which each resident’s attendance is expected.
Residents are encouraged to make every effort to attend as many conferences as possible.
Provided educational resources:
- Free access to SCORE (Surgical Council on Resident Education) curriculum and question banks
- ClinicalKey textbooks and articles (while on CommonSpirit network)
- Robust reimbursable education stipend for books, conferences, loupes and other approved spending.
A general description of conferences follows:
- Weekly Didactic Sessions: Didactics cover the full spectrum of general surgery in accordance with the SCORE curriculum . Faculty and volunteer specialists provide occasional guest lectures year-round. Residents are required to attend in person when at St. Anthony, and virtually when rotating at other hospitals.
- Trauma Morbidity and Mortality Conference: This conference meets weekly with the St. Anthony Trauma Services department and has multidisciplinary attendance. The goal of this conference is to review adverse events and learning points as well as review outcomes and care of patients admitted to the Trauma Service. Cases are reviewed in a supportive environment identifying systems that could be improved, current treatment guidelines and potential learning opportunities.
- General Surgery Morbidity and Mortality Conference (Acute Care Surgery and Elective General Surgery): This resident led conference occurs monthly. Residents present patients, discuss potential errors, outcomes improvement, and current literature for best practices.
- Clinic: Each resident required to attend an average of one-half day of specialty clinic per week. This will take place on all rotations, including trauma.
- Robotic training: The robotic training program is required for all residents. Weekly block time is available for simulator training. Residents will graduate with a certificate of robotic system training for residents.
- Simulation training: Resident Sim Lab is available 24/7 for training in Fundamentals of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgery.
The surgery residency at St. Anthony Hospital is sponsored by Kansas City University. KCU is a private university with many medical colleges including the College of Osteopathic Medicine, which was founded in 1916, and is the largest medical school in Missouri. If you have questions please email [email protected]
Faculty
Location Information
The St. Anthony Hospital is the main hub for the residency within the CommonSpirit system and is in Lakewood, CO. St. Anthony (Level 1 Trauma Center) combines a heritage of expert care with the latest in technology and innovation.
St. Anthony Hospital has 11 operating rooms, including Trauma Room 10 and a hybrid endovascular operating room. Currently under construction is a Day Surgery unit which will add additional operating rooms. There are two surgical systems where residents can practice and refine robotic surgical skills in the main OR.
Our physicians and clinical staff play a vital role in training our residents by providing opportunities to participate in journal club, surgical skills modules and weekly didactic sessions, Acute Care Surgery M&M, and Trauma M&M. In addition, residents experience rotations at St. Anthony Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Porter Adventist Hospital, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver Health Medical Center and the VA Medical Center.
About Max Cayo
Dr. Max Cayo grew up in Milwaukee, WI and attended the University of Wisconsin Madison. He completed his MD in Wisconsin as well as his PhD in human stem cell biology and liver regeneration. He has completed several Ironman triathlons and enjoys cycling, snowboarding, and cooking pizza.
Why he chose this program
Dr. Cayo chose this program because it offers a broad range of general surgical rotations. He is also looking forward to exploring and learning more about the major sub-specialties of surgery.
Special interests
Vascular surgery, transplant surgery, complex hernia repair
About Rachel Landin
Dr. Rachel Landin is a Colorado native who grew up in a small mountain town about two hours west of Denver. She attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She then attended Rocky Vista University in Parker, CO and graduated in 2020. When she is not working or studying, she enjoys spending time skiing, hiking, playing board games, and exploring the city for hole-in-the-wall restaurants and coffee shops.
Why she chose this program
The program at St Anthony's offers excellent early operative opportunities with a broad range of surgical cases. As a level 1 trauma center, residents are also exposed to an impressive amount of trauma. By coming to St Anthony's, Dr. Landin knew that by the end of residency, she would be prepared to enter private practice or pursue a fellowship.
Special interests
Trauma surgery, critical care, general surgery
About XiXi Cao
Dr. XiXi Cao was born and raised in Suzhou and earned her MD in China. After one year of residency training in Shanghai Cancer Center, Dr. Cao then went on to Baylor College of Medicine for postdoctoral research. She was recruited to University of California Irvine Medical Center for preliminary surgical training before joining St Anthony.
Why she chose this program
Dr. Cao picked SAH because of the close-knit resident and attending support, the high volume of surgery and trauma experience, and the opportunity to work closely with sub-specialists.
Special interests
Trauma surgery, transplant surgery
About Sendy Ha
A Colorado native, Dr. Sendy Ha graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in integrative physiology. She was also an EMT, CNA, and medical scribe prior to attending medical school. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys traveling, baking, fine dining, and spending time with her husky, Balto.
Why she chose this program
The tight-knit community between residents creates a family away from home. Also, residents can work with attendings of many different specialties across the hospital.
Special interests
Trauma surgery, minimally invasive surgery, thoracic surgery
About Maximilien Bergman
Dr. Maximilien Bergman obtained his undergraduate degree in exercise biology at UC Davis and a master’s in medical health sciences at Touro University in California. He is originally from San Diego and grew up playing soccer and eating California burritos. He enjoys the Colorado outdoors as he enjoys running, skiing, and a fun sports scene.
Why he chose this residency program
Dr. Bergman chose St. Anthony’s General Surgery Residency because of its positive reputation in ACS and trauma surgery, and it offers residents the ability to train in the setting of elective general surgery. The program has a genuine family feel to it and he was reassured by everyone that they want him to succeed and will provide any support he needs along the way.
Special Interests:
ACS/Trauma surgery, vascular surgery, bariatric surgery
About Mollie Mustoe
Dr. Mollie Mustoe was born and raised in Salinas, CA. She attended Harvard University for her undergraduate education where she studied integrative biology. Between undergraduate and medical school, Dr. Mustoe worked for a year as a research intern and cold caps coordinator at the UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center to care for women with breast cancer. She attended UC Davis School of Medicine where she researched smoking cessation in thoracic surgery patients and served as co-director for Knights Landing One Health Clinic, providing basic health care services to the rural underserved communities of Knights Landing, CA.
Why she chose this program
For residency training, Dr. Mustoe wanted a program with extensive operative experience that produces confident, competent, and safe surgeons. She plans to work in a community setting after residency and wants the flexibility to either apply to a surgical fellowship or continue directly into general surgery practice. The St. Anthony Hospital General Surgery Residency appealed to her because of its tight-knit community, the wide variety of hospital rotation sites, the large operative volume, and the close mentorship opportunities with attending surgeons.
Special interests
Minimally invasive surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, plastic surgery
About Ana Vila Irigoyen
Dr. Ana Vila Irigoyen was born and raised in Cuba and moved to Florida as a freshman in High School. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at Florida International University. She worked as a medical scribe prior to attending medical school at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. During medical school she provided help to underserved communities of South Florida through the Neighborhood HELP Program, co-founded an Alliance of Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses in Medicine chapter at her school, and participated in several research projects involving a wide range of medical specialties. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys traveling, gardening, photography, and Zumba.
Why I chose this program
The St. Anthony’s General Surgery program felt like a home away from home. She knows that the high volume of cases, exposure to different sub-specialties, robust trauma experience, and a supporting team of co-residents are going to prepare her to become the surgeon she has always aspired to be.
Special interests
Colon and rectal surgery
About Vincent Bustamante
Dr. Vincent Bustamante grew up in Los Angeles, CA where he obtained a biology degree from Cal Poly Pomona. After graduation, he spent 5 years working as an EMT in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA in emergency services while also completing a master's in biomedical sciences at Keck Graduate Institute. He attended Rocky Vista University, Colorado where he commissioned as a Colorado Army National Guard Officer and currently serves. He enjoys the many outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer including hiking and skiing.
Why he chose this program
Vincent initially rotated with St. Anthony's program during medical school, and knew he found a program with amazing people and curriculum. Much of what the program has to offer, including level-one trauma status and high operative volumes aligns with his future goals of Trauma/ICU fellowship. In the future, he would like to take his experience from St. Anthony Hospital and apply it in the military attached to an Army forward surgical team.
Special interests
Trauma/ICU, vascular, military medicine
About Samantha Hutzley
Samantha Hutzley grew up in Colorado and graduated from Regis University in Denver with a degree in Biology. She went on to medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, exploring local restaurants or breweries, and spending time at the lake.
Why I chose this program
I knew that I wanted to join a very tight-knit program and I felt like I instantly connected with everyone I met throughout the interview process. The wide range of exposure to all of the surgical subspecialties and proximity to friends and family in Colorado made St. Anthony's the clear choice for me.
Special interests
trauma, critical care, general surgery
About Michelle Won
Dr. Michelle Won was born in Honolulu, HI, and raised in Pasadena, CA. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Miami University of Ohio before pursuing her medical education at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In her free time, Dr. Won enjoys reading, creating floral arrangements, exploring new sushi restaurants, shopping, and spending time with her husband.
Why she chose this program
Dr. Won chose this program due to its exceptional case volume and impressive trauma rotations that will prepare her for any future practice of her choosing. Beyond the clinical opportunities, Dr. Won was drawn to the program's culture, desiring to be part of the kind and hardworking group of surgery residents at St. Anthony. Additionally, the small program size fosters strong relationships between residents and attendings, creating a supportive learning environment.
Specialty interests
Breast oncology surgery, minimally invasive/bariatric surgery
About Keide Akinola
Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Keide Akinola graduated from college in 2008 and served in the US Navy for six years. He followed his desire to go into medicine and graduated from Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine in 2019. When not at the hospital, he enjoys spending time with his wife and five children.
Why he chose this program
Dr. Akinola initially chose this residency for the loyalty and pride among the residents for their chosen path.
Special interests
Endocrine surgery
About Daniel Ojala
Dr. Daniel Ojala is from the Seattle area and earned a B.S. in International Business from Azusa Pacific University. He has lived in both Alaska and Hawaii and enjoys the outdoors and taking his two dogs to the Cherry Creek dog park.
Why he chose this program
This program provides Dr. Ojala with the opportunity to learn many different skills, from caring for critically ill patients, learning trauma skills, and training in robotics, to learning general surgery. The residents are close with each other and form lifelong friendships.
Special interests
Acute care surgery, rural general surgery
About Lane Mellor
Dr. Mellor is a native Oregonian who grew up on a small ranch and worked for his father’s construction company. He is a Oregon State University graduate where he studied biology and Spanish. He enjoys traveling to Central and South America. In his free time, he enjoys hiking with his wife and dog, golfing, and skiing.
Why I chose this program
Dr. Mellor chose this program because residents start learning and getting surgical experience early in training. The program also provides a unique training environment with access to a Level 1 trauma center.
Special Interests
Surgical Critical Care
About James Poling
Dr. Poling is a graduate of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before medical school, he received a master’s in physiology from Georgetown University. He has been actively involved in the wilderness medicine community by teaching multiple advanced wilderness life support courses and writing online educational modules. He is currently a captain in the United States Air Force and will serve as an active-duty surgeon upon completion of residency. Outside of work, he can be found rock climbing, ice climbing, cross country skiing, making bread, and camping amongst the aspens with his wife and cat.
Why I chose this program
Dr. Poling chose to train at St. Anthony Hospital for the early operative exposure and for the opportunity to work amongst a supportive team of residents.
Special Interests
Vascular surgery, Rural surgery, Military surgery
