University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals Program
About This Program
The key aspect of the program that sets it apart from other programs is begin operating as a surgeon early in training.
Program Length
2 Years
First Year Positions
1 Position
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
Application service release date
Avg Work Hours
60 Hours/Week
Program Setting
University
Application Service
ERAS
Program Statistics
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Contact Information
Program Director
Scott Douglas Lick, MD, BS
Univ of Texas Med Branch
Primary Program Contact
Melody Paige Benoit, MD
Univ of Texas Med Branch
Survey Received: 6/15/2026
Program ID: 4604800127
Locations
Univ of Texas Med Branch
Thoracic Surgery Pgm
301 University Blvd
Galveston, TX 77555
University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals
301 University Blvd
Galveston, TX 77555-0462
2240 Gulf Fwy S
League City, TX 77573
Driscoll Children's Hospital
3533 S Alameda Ave
Corpus Christi, TX 78466-6530
Application Information
Applicant Interview Format
Virtual
Interviews Conducted Last Year
30 Interviews
Interviews/First Year Positions
30:1
No Program Match
Open House
U.S. MD Applicants
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 1
Yes
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 2 CK
Yes
IMG Applicants
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 1
Yes
Must Have Passed USMLE Step 2 CK
Yes
DO Applicants
Must Have Passed COMLEX Level 1
Yes
Must Have Passed COMLEX Level 2
Yes
Requires the USMLE Step 1 and/or Step 2 CK
Yes
Must Have USMLE Passed Step 1
Yes
Must Have USMLE Passed Step 2 CK
Yes
Specialty-specific standardized letter requirements
Yes
Total required letters of recommendation (excludes MSPE and Deans letter)
Minimum
2 Letters
Maximum
2 Letters
Required Letter Writers
- Letter from a department chair
Requires Previous GME
Yes
Number of previous GME years required
5 year(s)
Required Supplemental Information
No
Osteopathic Recognition
No
Medical School Graduation Timeline
No cap on the number of years.
Gap Experience Requirement
Data not provided by program
Resident / Fellow Characteristics
Three year averages. Medical school type does not include graduates of Canadian schools.
Types of Graduates
Resident Gender
Program Faculty
Faculty/Resident Ratio
2.5:1
Program Faculty
5
Female Faculty
20%
Faculty Distribution
Work Environment
Program Start Dates
August 1
Avg Hours/Week on Duty (During First Year)
60 Hours
Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty (During First Year)
28 Hours
Avg Number of 24 Hour Off Duty Periods Per Week (During First Year)
1.00
Program Allows Moonlighting (Beyond PGY-1)
No
Night Float System
No
Most Taxing Schedule & Frequency Per Year
Beeper or Home Call (Weeks / Year)
Year 1 - N/A
NGO
Year 2 - N/A
NGO
NA = Not Applicable
NGO = Negotiable
OTH = Other
Visa Status
This program will consider an appropriately qualified applicant with the following visa or visa status. Contact the program for additional information.
J-1 visa sponsorship through ECFMG
Yes
H-1B visa
Yes
F-1 visa (OPT 1st year)
No
Program Size
2
Current Residents
PGY-1 Positions Not Offered
PGY-2 Positions Not Offered
Key Dates & Timelines
2026 - 2027
Program Starts Reviewing Applications
Application service release date
FEB1
Interview Offer Dates
Feb 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026
Average PGY-1 Educational Environment
Structured Didactic Activities
6 Hours
Hospital Outpatient
20%
Non-Hospital Ambulatory Care
N/A
Employment Policies & Benefits
On-call meal allowance
Placement assistance upon completion of program into practice, fellowship or academia
Educational Benefits
Formal program to foster interprofessional teamwork
Yes
Debt management/financial counseling
Yes
Resident/fellow retreats
Yes
Off-campus electives
Yes
Research rotation
Not available
Integrative medicine curriculum
No
Curriculum to develop health systems leadership skills (e.g., QI project leadership, community/organizational advocacy)
No
Instruction in medical Spanish or other non-English language
No
Alternative/complementary medicine curriculum
No
Economics of health care systems curriculum
No
Academic support for USMLE Step 3 and/or COMLEX-USA Level 3 preparation
No
International experience/global health
No
Hospice/home care experience
No
MPH, MBA, PhD or other advanced degree training
No
Tracks & Educational Features
Another track
Yes
Primary care track
No
Hospitalist track
No
Research track/non-accredited fellowship track
No
Rural track
No
Women's health track
No
Academic or clinician educator track
No
Offers additional training or educational experience beyond accredited length
No
Evaluations
Aggregate resident Milestone achievements
Yes
Graduates board certification pass rates
No
Performance-based assessment scores (e.g. OSCE, patient or computer simulations)
Yes
Patient surveys
Yes
Portfolio system
Yes
Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
No
Medical Insurance Coverage
- Major medical for dependents
- Major medical for domestic partners
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Disability insurance for occupationally-acquired HIV
- Major medical for residents
- Outpatient mental health
- Inpatient mental health
- Group life insurance
Salary Compensation
$79K-$82K
Year 6 through Year 7
Year 6
$79,353
Year 7
$82,160
Salary paid by a non-profit institution.
Vacation & Sick Days
Residents receive 32 Vacation Days and 5 Sick Days annually to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
Maximum # of paid days
NGO
Maximum # of unpaid days
NGO
For more information, view the program's leave policy on their website.