Preliminary Surgery Residency (Arizona)
Preliminary Surgery Residency (Arizona) supports residents with a year of surgical training and faculty mentoring at Mayo Clinic to develop surgical judgment, technical skills, and leadership.
Funder: Mayo Clinic
Due Dates: November 5, 2026 (Application and supporting documents) | April 1, 2027 (USMLE Step 2 components)
Funding Amounts: Two one-year residency positions annually
Summary: One year of preliminary surgical training at Mayo Clinic Arizona combines early operative experience with close faculty mentoring before formal residency training.
Key Information: Applicants must register with both ERAS and NRMP; Mayo does not directly accept applications.
Description
Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education offers two non-designated Preliminary Surgery Residency positions each year at its Arizona campus. The one-year program provides surgical training before formal residency training, with preference for applicants interested in general surgery. Candidates pursuing anesthesiology, radiology, or other surgical specialties may also be considered.
The program uses a “mentoring and mastery” model built around personal instruction and ongoing patient-based teaching by general and specialty surgeons. On most rotations, residents spend every other day in the operating room for the full day. An electronic core curriculum, linked educational resources, and daily didactic programs complement clinical experience, helping residents develop surgical judgment, technical skills, and leadership abilities.
