General Surgery Residency Program - Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Message from the Program Director
Welcome to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center General Surgery Residency Program. Our fully accredited five-year residency training program is one of the premier community hospital-based residency programs available.
The Iowa Methodist Medical Center general surgery program offers the unique blend of a large tertiary care center, a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a high-volume outpatient surgery center, a pediatric hospital and an active county hospital. This mix provides a variety of patient care opportunities as well as a diverse faculty committed to teaching and academic excellence.
Our residency program prides itself on early operative exposure, progressive resident autonomy, and flexibility tailored to meet individual career goals. Additionally, our values of caring, respect, integrity and commitment to excellence in patient care and teaching are incorporated into everything we do.
We invite you to consider the opportunities offered by Iowa Methodist Medical Center and would welcome the opportunity to visit with you further about our residency. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Jeffrey J. Dietzenbach, MD, FACS
Program Director
About Our Program
The General Surgery Residency Program offers extensive and early operative experience and training, with graduating residents almost always exceeding the required number of cases in all categories. Residents receive extensive training in trauma surgery, with Iowa Methodist Medical Center being certified as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. The program also offers comprehensive training in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, including advanced minimally invasive procedures.
Over the course of five years, a resident will perform about 1,000 surgical procedures, including 200 major procedures during the chief year. The following is an average of the major procedures for our graduates from the past three years.
Procedure Averages at Iowa Methodist Medical Center
| Procedure | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
ABS Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin, Soft Tissue, Breast | 176 | 137 | 231 | 65 |
| Head & Neck | 41 | 41 | 39 | 25 |
| Alimentary Tract | 303 | 304 | 312 | 180 |
| Abdomen | 344 | 315 | 328 | 250 |
| Liver | 11 | 6 | 10 | 5 |
| Pancreas | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Vascular | 108 | 91 | 110 | 50 |
| Endocrine | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
| Trauma Operative | 24 | 18 | 21 | 10 |
| Trauma Non-Operative | 52 | 61 | 56 | 40 |
| Thoracic | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
| Pediatrics | 39 | 25 | 26 | 20 |
| Plastics | 21 | 16 | 22 | 10 |
| Laparoscopic – Basic | 225 | 206 | 211 | 100 |
| Laparoscopic – Complex | 143 | 133 | 129 | 75 |
| Endoscopic | 165 | 216 | 177 | 85 |
| Total Major Operations | 1026 | 945 | 990 | 850 |
| Total as Chief Residents | 253 | 309 | 249 | 200 |
| Total as Teaching Assistant | 36 | 47 | 55 | 25 |
Training Facilities
The General Surgery Residency Program provides care for patients at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Blank Children's Hospital, Methodist West Hospital, Broadlawns Medical Center, VA Medical Center of Central Iowa and Lakeview Surgery Center.
This unique combination of training opportunities provides diversity in patient demographics where you can develop strong surgical and clinical skills in an environment where both common and unusual surgical intervention is seen.
Key Faculty
Jeffrey Dietzenbach, MD, FACS
Program Director
Residency: Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Medical Degree: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Molly Gross, MD
Associate Program Director & Colorectal Service Director
Fellowship: Oregon Health Services University
Residency: University of Utah
Medical Degree: Mayo Medical School
Mackenzie Lees, MD MSc FRCSC
Pediatric Service Director
Fellowship: Pediatric Surgery IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax NS
Residency: University of Alberta, Edmonton AB
Medical Degree: University of Alberta
Mathew Severidt, DO, FACS
Broadlawns Director
Residency: Mercy Medical Center- Des Moines, IA
Medical Degree: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Eric Scott, MD, FACS
Vascular Service Director
Fellowships: Vascular and Endovascular Surgery- Eastern Virginia Medical School
Surgical Critical Care- University of Hawaii
The Queen’s Medical Center
Residency: Hennepin County Medical Center
Medical Degree: University of Iowa
Carlos Pelaez, MD, FACS
Trauma Service Director
Fellowship: Cornell University – Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
Residency: New York Medical College- Montefiore Medical Center
Medical Degree: Unversidad de Iberoamerica
Joseph Bauer, MD
VA Central Iowa Director
Residency: General Surgery Resident at VA Medical Center in Des Moines
Medical Degree: University of Kansas
Timothy Schurman, MD, FACS
Plastics Service Director
Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin
Residency: University of Wisconsin – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Medical Degree: University of Iowa
Mark Mankins, MD
Cardio Thoracic Service Director
Fellowship: Cardiothoracic Surgery - Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana
Residency: Iowa Methodist Medical Center- General Surgery
Medical Degree: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Juan Mira, MD
Surgical Oncology and Transplant Director
Fellowship: Complex General Surgical Oncology at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine – General Surgery
Medical Degree: University of Michigan Medical School
Current Residents
Curriculum
All general surgery residents receive BLS, ACLS, ATLS and ATLS instructor within the first year. All residents are also FLS and FES certified during the second or third year of residency.
- Emergency Surgery Service/NF (2 months)
- Trauma Surgery (3 months)
- Vascular Surgery (2 months)
- General Surgery (2 months)
- Colorectal Surgery (2 months)
- Surgical Oncology/Transplant (1 month)
- Trauma Surgery (3 months)
- VA Medical Center (3 months)
- Vascular Surgery (1 month)
- Emergency Surgery Service/NF (1 month)
- Surgical Oncology/Transplant (2 Months)
- General Surgery (1 month)
- Colorectal Surgery (1 month)
- Broadlawns Medical Center (3 months)
- Pediatric Surgery/Plastic Surgery (3 months)
- CT Surgery (1 month)
- Methodist West Hospital/Lakeview (1 month)
- Emergency Surgery Service/NF (2 months)
- Elective (1 month)
- Research (1 month)
- VA Medical Center (3 months)
- Vascular Surgery (2 months)
- General Surgery (1 month)
- Surgical Oncology/Transplant (2 months)
- Bariatric/Robotic Surgery (1 month)
- Methodist West (1 month)
- Colorectal Surgery (2 months)
- Broadlawns Medical Center (3 months)
- Vascular Surgery (1 month)
- Methodist West (1 month)
- Chief Surgery (3 months)
- Surgical Oncology/Transplant (1 month)
- Colorectal (1 month)
- General Surgery (2 months)
- General Surgery (1 month)
- Emergency Surgery Service/NF (2 months)
- Trauma (3 months)
- Vascular (2 month)
- Surgical Oncology/Transplant (1 month)
- Colorectal (1 month)
- Elective (2 months)
Options for Elective Rotations:
- Radiology or Radiology Oncology
- Adult ER or Pediatric ER
- Cardiology
- Anesthesia
- Outpatient Surgery
- Hematology or Pediatric Hematology
- Research
- Medical Consultation Service
- Rural Surgery
- Medical ICU
- Urology
- Neurology
- OB/GYN or Gynecology Oncology
- Orthopedics
The didactic curriculum in general surgery is covered once a week in a two-hour afternoon conference. Both basic and clinical surgical topics are addressed, with residents and faculty participating in presentations.
Other conferences include morbidity and mortality conference, grand rounds, chief rounds, complex case presentations, journal club, decisions conference, techniques and triumphs conference, liver conference, tumor board and trauma videos.
Residents and students work with faculty surgeons on a variety of surgical skills including suturing, intestinal anastomosis, vascular access/central line insertion, robotics, vascular anastomosis, chest tube insertion, airway management and patient care simulation using a SimMan mannequin.
Effective Academic Year 2024 - 2025:
PGY1- $67,305
PGY2- $68,548
PGY3- $70,419
PGY4- $72,904
PGY5- $76,016
Transition Allowance
$750 relocation allowance is given to all incoming residents.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance: Residents may choose from two health insurance plans that best suit their individual needs. Learn more about at: Benefits
401k
Our residents get access to UnityPoint Health retirement 401k & financial planning.
Life Insurance
The program provides group life insurance equal to the resident's annual stipend at no charge to the resident.
Resident Liability Coverage
General and professional liability coverage is provided for residents enrolled in the residency program through a combination of commercial insurance and self-insured retention. Coverages are no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $5,000,000 aggregate per policy year.
Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage
Short and long-term disability coverage is provided to residents. Short-term disability coverage (STD) is used when the resident is away from work for at least seven (7) days due to a non-work-related illness or injury. STD pays 60% of weekly earnings for a maximum of 26 weeks with no waiting period. Long-term disability insurance coverage ensures that residents will receive a minimum of 70% of their monthly salary if they are disabled due to illness or accident, on or off the job, following a 90-day qualifying period.
Vacation
All residents receive 20 days of paid vacation per year.
Residents are allocated $4,000 total over the period of five years that can be used to purchase textbooks, educational or approved medical meetings.
Textbooks
- Basic Surgical Texts
- Marino ICU Book
- Fiser ABSITE Question Manual
- Fiser ABSITE Review Manual
- Online Hardin Library Access
Online Curriculums
- FSC (ASC Fundamentals of Surgery Curriculum)
- SCORE (Surgical Council on Residency Education)
- TrueLearn (Question Bank)
Training & Certifications
- BCLS, ACLS, ATLS, FLS and FES
- ATOM and ASSET Courses
- Free Parking: All residents may park in a reserved area of the hospital parking facility at no charge.
- Meal Stipends: A fixed monthly allowance is provided to residents for meals in the medical center cafeteria.
- Paid Licensure: Fees for all licenses required by the residency program are paid by the program.
- Lab Coats: Two free lab coats are provided to all first-year residents.
- Free Fitness Center on premises
- Day care services on premises
- Employee Assistance Center
- ACS Resident Society Membership Benefit
- IMS Membership
Application Process
Residents are selected through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®), a program of the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Applications are reviewed after all the required information has been received. Our selection process is based upon multiple factors, including general academic performance, clinical performance, letters of recommendation, personal qualities and achievements. The general surgery residency program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center accepts applications from October through January.
- Three letters of recommendation from U.S. physicians and at least two from surgeons
- Dean's Letter
- Medical School Transcript
- Personal Statement
- Results of standardized tests: USMLE; and all in-service exams
- Pass Step 1&2 on the first attempt and a score of 200 or greater
- If from a non-US/Canadian school:
- All applicants must match within 2 years of graduating from medical school
- Must have one year of clinical experience in the U.S.
- We will accept J1 Visa only
Individual exceptions may be made based on the strength of application after review by the Program Director.
Our Graduates
The success of any training program is reflected by the success of its graduates. Our graduates have consistently maintained a high pass rate on the American Board of Surgery qualifying (written) and certifying (oral) examinations. The most recent five-year cumulative pass rate for our graduates is 100%, with all graduates passing written boards on the first attempt.
Approximately 2/3 of our graduates enter a career in broad-based general surgery in both rural settings and larger cities. The remaining 1/3 are successful at matching into competitive fellowship positions to prepare for sub-specialty careers.
| Class of 2024 | ||
| General Surgery Practice | Bettendorf, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Decorah, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Des Moines, IA | |
| Fellowship | Breast Fellowship - Rochester, MN | |
|
Class of 2023 |
||
| General Surgery Practice | Ames, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | St. Paul, MN | |
| Fellowship | Colorectal Fellowship - Omaha, NE | |
| Fellowship | Colorectal Fellowship - Greenville, SC | |
| Class of 2022 | ||
| General Surgery Practice | Orange City, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Ames, IA | |
| Fellowship | Breast Fellowship — Memphis, TN | |
| Fellowship | Surgical Critical Care Fellowship — Roanoke, VA | |
|
Class of 2021 |
||
| General Surgery Practice | Dubuque, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Mitchell, SD | |
| Fellowship | Breast Fellowship — Cleveland, OH | |
| Fellowship | Vascular Fellowship — Norfolk, VA | |
|
Class of 2020 |
||
| General Surgery Practice | Des Moines, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Des Moines, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Missoula, MT | |
| General Surgery Practice | Monroe, WI | |
|
Class of 2019 |
||
| General Surgery Practice | Sioux City, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Des Moines, IA | |
| Fellowship | Colorectal Fellowship — New Orleans, IA | |
|
Class of 2018 |
||
| General Surgery Practice |
Dubuque, IA | |
| General Surgery Practice | Cloquet, MN | |
| General Surgery Practice | Rapid City, SD | |
| Fellowship | Cardiothoracic Fellowship — Baltimore, MD | |
Annual Conference
2025 Throckmorton Alumni Conference is May 2, 2025
Topic: “Trauma"
Contact Us
General Surgery Residency Program
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
1415 Woodland Ave, Suite 140
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Christa Richards
Surgery Resident Coordinator
christa.richards@unitypoint.org
(515) 241-4078