Surgery Residency
Thank you for your interest in the General Surgery Residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯) in Amarillo, Texas.
Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ is located within the , which boasts three acute care hospitals with nearly 1,000 beds and a full range of medical specialties. It is also home to rehabilitation, long-term acute care and skilled nursing facilities.
People from Amarillo often say, βIf you wear out a pair of shoes here, you wonβt want to leave.β There is a lot of truth to this. People come to love Amarillo because of its true Texan hospitality, abundance of sunny days, four- season climate, small town feel, low cost of living, good schools, friendly neighbors , and its many amenities. People enjoy shopping on , eating at one of the many local restaurants, visiting , and sampling from local breweries and wineries. People seeking culture can enjoy the , the , and other shows and concerts at both the and . Sports fans can take in a game at , featuring the baseball game with our own Sod Poodles, an Double AA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, or an ice hockey game with the . Food lovers can find all types of cuisine and fine dining. Outdoor lovers can enjoy west Texasβ natural beauty with sights such as , and . Mountains and skiing are only a few hours away by car. If you need to go further, Amarilloβs is served by multiple airlines with direct flights to several cities.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Dear Future Surgeons,
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯) General Surgery Residency Program in Amarillo. As we prepare to launch our residency program in 2026, we are excited to embark on this journey that will not only shape the next generation of surgeons but also have a lasting impact on the health care landscape in the Texas Panhandle.
Our vision for this program is deeply rooted in a commitment to rural health and addressing the unique challenges of providing surgical care in underserved areas. As Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ works to grow the health care workforce in the Panhandle, we are committed to establishing a robust surgical residency program at Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ in the coming years. Training residents in the Panhandle will provide additional medical support at area hospitals while getting cutting-edge surgical training. Our focus is not just on creating exceptional surgeons, but on fostering a new generation of health care leaders who are dedicated to serving their communities.
One of the most exciting aspects of our program is the opportunity to be a pioneer in this region. As a resident in Amarillo, you will receive hands-on, personalized training in a variety of surgical specialties, with a particular emphasis on the unique needs of rural and underserved populations. You will be part of a groundbreaking initiative, learning from dedicated faculty members who are passionate about teaching, while working in a community that truly values and needs your contributions.
Our program is designed to provide a strong foundation in both the science and the art of surgery, with a focus on developing technical expertise, sound clinical judgment and a commitment to compassionate patient care. We are building a curriculum that emphasizes comprehensive training across a wide range of surgical disciplines, while also offering opportunities for research, professional development and leadership training.
I invite you to explore our program and consider joining us on this exciting journey. Together, we will make a lasting difference in the lives of our patients, and we will contribute to the future of healthcare in the Texas Panhandle.
Thank you for your interest in Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ Amarillo. We look forward to welcoming our first class of residents in 2026 and to the many successful years of surgical training to come.
Sincerely,
Izi Obokhare, M.D.
Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program
Professor of Surgery
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo
Dear Prospective Residents and Colleagues,
Welcome to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯) General Surgery Residency Program in Amarillo. As the Chair of the Department of Surgery, it is my privilege to introduce you to a residency program that embodies our deep commitment to surgical education, patient care, and innovative research.
At Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯, we provide a comprehensive surgical training experience grounded in both academic rigor and hands-on clinical practice, ensuring that residents are prepared to excel in the dynamic and challenging field of surgery. Our program emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care, fostering the development of surgeons equipped with the skills, empathy, and adaptability necessary to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.
Our esteemed faculty includes accomplished surgeons across various specialties who are fully dedicated to mentoring and guiding residents throughout their careers. Our department cultivates a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, teamwork, and lifelong learning. Whether your goal is to pursue academic surgery, subspecialty training, or private practice, our program will provide you with the resources and experiences you need to thrive.
Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ Amarillo offers state-of-the-art facilities and access to innovative research opportunities, empowering our residents to contribute to advancements in surgery. Our diverse patient population provides exposure to a broad range of clinical cases, from common procedures to highly complex interventions, allowing residents to hone both their technical and decision-making skills.
We are thrilled about the future of our program and the opportunities it presents for our residents and faculty alike. I encourage you to explore our website to learn more about what makes Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ Amarillo a special place to train. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for considering Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ Amarillo for your surgical training. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
Sincerely,
M. Haris Nazim, M.D.
Regional Chair and Professor of Surgery
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine at Amarillo
From left to right: Drs. Laswi, Obokhare, Schneider, Nazim, Hansen, Soliman, Hashimoto,
Elfedaly, and Quigley
RESIDENT PROGRAM INTRODUCTION
Population: Amarillo is a vibrant and diverse community of more than 200,000 people with multiple ethnic groups and languages spoken. Situated along Interstate 40 on the High Plains, Amarillo serves as a crossroads to the nation. Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ in Amarillo serves a very large geographical region that includes Eastern New Mexico, Western Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, Southeastern Colorado, and portions of Kansas; in total, Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ serves a population of more than 600,000 people.
Partnerships (Clinical Rotations Sites): Clinical sites in Amarillo include (NWTHS), , , , and . NWTHS is the regionβs Level 2 Trauma Center and sees a full range of traumatic injuries with more than 1,600 trauma admissions per year. BSA is a community hospital with a robust clinical practice that houses more than 20 operating rooms. In addition to these local facilities, Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ has partnered with outside facilities to enhance the residency experience. These include for transplant surgery and for a true rural surgery experience.
Size of Surgical Residency Program: Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ will accept two categorical residents a year to the General Surgery Residency in Amarillo. Additionally, up to two preliminary residents will be selected for the first year, with an option to stay for an additional year as a PGY-2 preliminary resident. Residents will receive broad experience in general surgery and its subspecialties over the course of five years. They will work closely with the faculty at Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ in Amarillo, which includes nine fellowship-trained core faculty and multiple mid-levels.
Length of Surgical Residency Program: Five years
Highlights: robotics, rural rotations and trauma centers
GET TO KNOW THE FACULTY
RESIDENT PROGRAM AIMS
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Surgery Residency Program aims to produce the next generation of well-trained, compassionate and exemplary leaders in the field of general surgery by:
- Residents will have opportunities to engage in basic and advanced surgical stimulation and robotics training provided through a state-of-the-art simulation center located adjacent to the primary site as well as patient-centered education through procedural skills.
- The residents will be trained to perform the role of a surgeon at the advanced level expected of a board-certified specialist through didactic instruction and education in operative techniques.
- Weekly didactic instruction on the basic and clinical sciences of surgical diseases and conditions to improve knowledge on the care of surgical patients.
- Each resident will participate in peer-reviewed research with local, regional and national presentations of their work as well as manuscript submission.
- Most clinical rotations will take place at community hospitals hence best preparing the residents to operate independently in a rural and community practice.
- The faculty-to-resident ratio will be kept balanced to best prepare the learning experience throughout residency in order to prepare the resident for the life-long provision of comprehensive care to surgical patients.
CURRICULUM
Operative Experience: Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ Surgery residents will perform a minimum of 850 surgeries to meet the American Board of Surgery licensing requirements. Most residents can expect to perform well over 1200 surgeries during their training. Residents choosing Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ training will receive specialized Trauma and Critical Care experience at NWTHS and BSA are both provided by the Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ (including two fellowship-trained surgeons in burn care). Additionally, the Bariatric Surgery Center for Excellence. Five-year rotation sample
Laboratory Experience: SimCentral, Lap Trainer, Mannequin, Robot
Online Curriculum: SCORE
Dedication Education Day: Protected time each Friday from 7 am-1 pm. Each Friday includes morning report, m&m conference, science lecture or grand rounds, this week in SCORE, lunch & learn professional development and simulation lab. Once a month host: ABSITE review, journal club, research update and resident meeting.
Scholarly Activity: The faculty at Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ are active clinically and academically. Residents at Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ will have the opportunity to do clinical research and be published. There are opportunities for collaborative activities with the Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ School of Health Professions, Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ School of Nursing, Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯ Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy and the , all located on the Amarillo campus.
Certificates Offered: ATLS, ACLS, FES, FLS