Message from the Program Director

It is an incredible privilege to serve as Program Director for a residency that not only trained me but helped shape the surgeon, educator, and advocate I've become. This program is more than where I work, it’s home. I care deeply about the residents who come through here, and I’m invested in helping each one of them grow, succeed, and find joy in this profession. 

Our mission is both simple and ambitious: to train excellent surgeons who are technically skilled, intellectually curious, and grounded in empathy and service. We offer 10 categorical positions each year, alongside preliminary opportunities, in a truly non-pyramidal structure. Training spans five unique hospitals—University Hospital, the East Orange Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and Jersey City Medical Center—providing an unparalleled breadth of exposure to surgical disease, diverse patient populations, and different models of healthcare delivery.

What sets us apart is not just our use volume or complexity, but the depth of the training experience. From day one, residents take ownership of patient care, gain progressive autonomy in the operating room, and build a strong foundation in clinical decision-making. Our graduates leave confident and well-prepared, with robust experience across general surgery as well as trauma, critical care, vascular, oncologic, transplant, colorectal, thoracic, pediatric, plastic, cardiac, and burn surgery. We also support academic enrichment through research, global surgery, advanced degrees, and other scholarly pursuits. 

But residency is more than learning how to operate. It’s where you begin to define who you are as a surgeon and as a leader. My educational philosophy centers on cultivating a growth mindset. We teach our residents not only what to think, but how to think—how to problem-solve, to adapt, to lead teams, and to care for patients with compassion and humility.  We believe that reflection, communication, and resilience are just as essential as technical skill.

I am especially proud of the community we are building here. This is a program that values inclusive excellence, psychological safety, and meaningful mentorship. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all residents feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive - professionally and personally. Surgery is challenging, but no one should feel like they’re going through it alone.

Our graduates leave Rutgers NJMS not only as highly trained surgeons, but as thoughtful, capable, and kind professionals who are ready to lead. If you choose to train with us, you will join a mission-driven community that is committed to excellence, service, and lifting each other up along the way.  

We look forward to meeting you and to helping you imagine what’s possible. 

Amy V. Gore, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Program Director, General Surgery Residency
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School