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Augusta, Georgia, may be known to many as the home of the Masters golf tournament, but it also holds a significant place in the world of medical education and training—especially in the field of surgery. The city is a growing hub for healthcare and medical research in the southeastern United States, offering world-class opportunities for medical students, surgical residents, and fellows seeking hands-on clinical training.
With major medical institutions like Augusta University Medical Center and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta has built a strong reputation for developing highly skilled surgeons. Whether you’re a student exploring clerkships or a medical graduate pursuing a surgical residency, Augusta offers a dynamic and challenging environment to grow your expertise.
In this article, we explore the major hospitals in Augusta that offer surgical residencies and clerkships, their program structures, training opportunities, and what makes Augusta a strong choice for aspiring surgeons.
Augusta: A Center for Academic Medicine in Georgia
Located on the banks of the Savannah River, Augusta is Georgia’s second-largest city and home to one of the state’s most important academic medical institutions: Augusta University, formerly known as the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). Established in 1828, MCG is the oldest and one of the largest medical schools in the southeastern United States. Augusta’s hospitals are deeply integrated with this institution, offering training in a full range of specialties, including general surgery, orthopedic surgery, vascular surgery, and surgical subspecialties.
As a midsize city with a significant medical footprint, Augusta presents the ideal balance between hands-on clinical opportunities and a supportive academic environment.
1. Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC)
Location: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA
Type: Academic Medical Center
Affiliation: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
AUMC is the flagship hospital affiliated with the Medical College of Georgia. It is a tertiary care referral center with a full complement of surgical specialties. The hospital operates with 478 licensed beds and includes a Level I Trauma Center—the only one in eastern Georgia—which provides unmatched exposure to acute surgical cases and critical care.
Surgical Residency at AUMC
The General Surgery Residency Program at MCG is a fully accredited five-year program designed to prepare residents for independent practice or fellowship training. Residents rotate through a wide variety of surgical subspecialties including:
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Trauma and acute care surgery
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Colorectal surgery
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Cardiothoracic surgery
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Hepatobiliary and transplant surgery
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Vascular surgery
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Pediatric surgery
Residents also gain extensive experience in minimally invasive and robotic procedures through the Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery.
Clerkship Opportunities
Third-year medical students at MCG complete core surgery clerkships at AUMC, spending time in operating rooms, clinics, and wards. During their clerkships, students develop critical skills in surgical decision-making, patient communication, and procedural technique.
AUMC also offers fourth-year elective rotations in:
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Trauma Surgery
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Surgical Critical Care
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Plastic Surgery
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Surgical Oncology
Why It Stands Out
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Home to Georgia’s only Level I trauma center outside Atlanta
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Affiliated with cutting-edge research in surgical education and outcomes
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Access to a high volume of diverse surgical cases
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Strong mentorship culture among faculty and senior residents
2. Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Location: 1 Freedom Way, Augusta, GA
Type: Federal, Veterans Health Administration
Affiliation: Medical College of Georgia
The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center is a key teaching site for surgical residents and medical students at Augusta University. It consists of two divisions (Downtown and Uptown), with the Uptown Division focusing heavily on surgical and specialty care.
Surgical Training at the VA
Residents from the MCG program rotate through the VA, gaining exposure to elective and reconstructive surgery in a controlled environment. Areas of focus include:
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General surgery
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Urology
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Vascular surgery
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ENT
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Ophthalmology
The VA system offers residents and students a unique opportunity to develop longitudinal patient care skills, especially in geriatric and medically complex populations.
Educational Advantages
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Strong emphasis on continuity of care
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Lower patient turnover allows for deeper learning
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Robust integration of electronic health records and telehealth
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Multidisciplinary team environment
Clerkships and Rotations
The VA offers third- and fourth-year surgical clerkships in general surgery, allowing students to work alongside residents and attendings in the operating room, outpatient clinics, and procedural suites.
3. Children’s Hospital of Georgia (CHOG)
Location: 1446 Harper Street, Augusta, GA
Type: Pediatric Teaching Hospital
Affiliation: Augusta University Health / MCG
The Children’s Hospital of Georgia is the largest pediatric hospital in the region and an essential training ground for surgical residents interested in pediatric surgery. With 154 beds and a full array of pediatric surgical services, CHOG provides experience in congenital disorders, neonatal surgery, and pediatric trauma.
Pediatric Surgery Training
While pediatric surgery is a subspecialty, general surgery residents complete rotations at CHOG as part of their core curriculum. Exposure includes:
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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) surgeries
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Pediatric trauma cases
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Congenital anomalies
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Pediatric oncology surgeries
Clerkships in Pediatric Surgery
MCG offers medical students pediatric-specific surgical clerkships and electives, giving them early exposure to this highly specialized field. Students work closely with both surgical and pediatric teams to deliver family-centered care.
Why It’s Important
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Regional leader in pediatric surgical care
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Hands-on exposure to rare and complex pediatric conditions
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Offers residents experience with unique surgical instrumentation and techniques
4. Doctors Hospital of Augusta
Location: 3651 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA
Type: Private, Acute Care
Affiliation: Community-based training site
Doctors Hospital is a 354-bed acute care hospital that is part of the HCA Healthcare network. Although not a primary academic hospital, Doctors Hospital contributes to surgical training through selective rotations, especially in trauma and orthopedic surgery.
Key Surgical Services:
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Burn and wound care
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Bariatric surgery
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General and laparoscopic surgery
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Orthopedic trauma surgery
Doctors Hospital is also home to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, one of the largest burn units in the country. This unique center allows surgical residents and rotating students to gain experience in burn management, skin grafting, and long-term reconstructive care.
Research and Innovation in Surgical Education
Augusta’s medical community is deeply involved in advancing the science of surgical education. Residents and students are encouraged to participate in research activities at Augusta University, including:
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Surgical outcomes research
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Simulation-based training
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Robotic surgery skill development
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Health disparities in surgical access
The Center for Ultrasound Education and Clinical Simulation Center at Augusta University are instrumental in preparing students for hands-on patient care and surgical procedures in a low-risk environment.
Support Services and Resident Life
Surgical residency is intense, but Augusta provides a supportive and enriching environment:
Resident Benefits:
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Competitive salary and benefits
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Access to mental health and wellness support
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Opportunities for international electives
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Professional development workshops
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Resident mentoring and leadership training
The city itself offers an affordable cost of living, ample green spaces, and a vibrant arts and food scene—making it a pleasant place to live and learn.
Tips for Medical Students Interested in Surgery in Augusta
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Apply for Early Rotations: Many elective clerkships at AUMC and CHOG fill up quickly. Apply early through VSLO or your school’s visiting student office.
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Network with Residents and Faculty: Attend grand rounds, surgical interest group meetings, and conferences to build connections.
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Demonstrate Interest: Whether through research, volunteering, or simulation labs, showing consistent engagement in surgery will strengthen your residency application.
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Get Involved in Research: Reach out to the Department of Surgery at MCG for opportunities to participate in ongoing clinical studies or quality improvement projects.
Final Thoughts
Augusta, Georgia, is more than a city—it’s a gateway to a meaningful and rewarding surgical career. With nationally recognized institutions like Augusta University Medical Center, Charlie Norwood VA, and the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, the city offers a well-rounded and hands-on educational environment that prepares future surgeons to meet the highest standards of clinical excellence.
Whether you’re just starting your clinical clerkships or preparing to match into a surgical residency, Augusta provides the depth, diversity, and support to help you succeed. The hospitals here don’t just teach surgery—they shape the future of medicine.
Interested in applying for a surgical rotation or residency in Augusta? Visit the Medical College of Georgia website for program details, application deadlines, and contact information.