Led by Patrizio Petrone, MD, PhD, MPH, the International Observership Program at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery provides a unique volunteer opportunity for scholars in the field of surgery to gain experience in academic and clinical surgical research, with a special focus on trauma, acute care surgery, and surgical critical care.

Faculty in the Department of Surgery, including members of the Divisions of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, are committed to mentoring participants, sharing their expertise in the latest surgical technologies, methodologies, and literature.

The program is based on the stage of the scholar’s career. The duration of the program can range from three to six months. Participating scholars should either be a surgical resident in their final year of training or a newly trained physician practicing in one of the following specialties: surgery, trauma surgery, acute care surgery, critical care surgery, or minimally invasive surgery and bariatric surgery.

Scholars are involved in new studies and ongoing research, and attend educational programs offered throughout the year, including grand rounds and morbidity and mortality conferences, in addition to daily rounds in the trauma and surgical critical care surgical units. Scholars are encouraged to engage in all academic activities of the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and the Department of Surgery.

Program Goals

Our goal is to foster the development of trauma surgeons and surgical critical care specialists from around the world, preparing them to serve as academic leaders in their respective countries while strengthening the academic ties between the United States and international academic institutions.

With this collaboration, we aim to expand the collaborative international network of surgeons with expertise in treating trauma victims.

Program Policies and Procedures

As an observer who attends clinical rounds, scholars are in the vicinity of patients even though there is no hands-on contact. Therefore, we follow these policies and procedures:

• verification of all individual health clearances, such as appropriate vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccine and influenza, and clearance from tuberculosis
• adherence to infection control practices
• confidential and appropriate treatment and handling of patient information, pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH)
• compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) recommendations
• adherence to New York State regulations and Joint Commission standards concerning healthcare workers in a hospital environment, including pain assessment; prevention and treatment of surgical site infections (SSIs), infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MRDOs), and urinary tract infections (UTIs); patient restraints; and impaired physicians

How to Apply

Registration for the International Observership Program in Surgery is open year-round. Acceptance is based on evaluation of the scholar’s qualifications, references, personal or remote interview, and position availability in the program.

Comprehension of the English language, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate well is of paramount importance for both the scholar and the research team. Previous research and publication experience is preferred but not required.

To apply, email your CV, statement of purpose, and names of three recommenders to Patrizio Petrone, MD, PhD, MPH, director of surgical research and program director of the International Observership Program in Surgery, at patrizio.petrone@nyulangone.org.