As you step into the operating room at Good Shepherd Health, you'll experience the satisfaction of practicing true general surgery with the full support of advanced technology and a collaborative team. Your surgical practice will encompass the essential "bread and butter" procedures that form the backbone of general surgery, allowing you to maintain and refine your skills across multiple areas rather than being limited to a narrow focus. Unlike many metropolitan practices where specialization has fragmented general surgery, here you'll preserve the diversity that likely drew you to the specialty initially.
The surgical volume reflects the community's needs, with a steady flow of appendectomies, cholecystectomies, hernia repairs, and bowel resections forming the core of your practice. You'll also participate in the management of trauma cases appropriate for a Level III Trauma Center, collaborating with emergency medicine colleagues to provide timely surgical intervention when necessary.
Your clinical practice will be centered in the hospital's Medical Office Building, where you'll have the autonomy to establish your own clinic schedule based on your preferences and patient needs. This self-determination extends to your operating room time, with dedicated block time allocation to ensure predictable surgical days. The hospital is actively working to expand OR staffing to accommodate two daily teams (early and late), further enhancing scheduling flexibility.
Your call responsibilities will be integrated into a manageable rotation with your surgical colleagues, typically covering one or two nights during the week. This balanced approach to call ensures you can maintain personal commitments while meeting the community's needs for surgical care. The hospital bylaws require a 30-minute response time, reflecting the realistic geography of the area rather than the immediate presence often demanded in larger centers.
Beyond core general surgery, Good Shepherd offers several opportunities to expand your practice based on your interests and expertise. The hospital supports surgical growth in several areas, allowing you to develop additional skills or focus on specific patient populations if desired.
The surgical practice at Good Shepherd combines the technical satisfaction of diverse procedures with the personal satisfaction of providing essential care to an appreciative community. With dedicated surgical PA support and plans to expand APP coverage for surgical specialists, you'll have the clinical backup necessary to practice efficiently while maintaining work-life balance.