General Surgery Residency Rural Track Program
ACGME # 4403800002
Western Reserve Health Education is actively developing a new General Surgery Residency Rural Track Program designed to expand access to high-quality surgical training and care across underserved communities in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. Currently in the proposal stage, this program reflects a forward-looking commitment to addressing regional physician shortages while strengthening the pipeline of clinicians dedicated to rural health.
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The proposed program will focus on immersive, community-based training, giving residents the opportunity to work closely with patients in smaller healthcare settings where continuity of care and broad clinical experience are essential. By emphasizing primary and specialty care integration, population health, and the unique challenges of rural medicine, the program aims to prepare physicians who are not only clinically skilled but also deeply connected to the communities they serve.
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Once accredited, the General Surgery Residency Rural Track Program is expected to become a valuable asset to the region—supporting local healthcare systems, improving patient access, and contributing to long-term economic and community stability. It will also create new opportunities for collaboration with regional hospitals, outpatient centers, and academic partners, further enhancing the strength and reach of graduate medical education within the WRHE network.
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For more information on our program, please contact us at info@wrhe-edu.org.
Message from the Program Director
As Program Director, I invite you to consider the General Surgery Rural Track at Western Reserve Health Education—an experience designed for residents who want more than just training. Here, you won’t be one of many competing for cases; you’ll be an integral part of a close-knit surgical team, gaining early operative exposure, meaningful autonomy, and direct mentorship from experienced surgeons committed to your growth.
Our rural setting offers a breadth of pathology and hands-on experience that is increasingly rare, allowing you to develop both technical skill and clinical confidence in a supportive, community-focused environment. You’ll build lasting relationships with patients and colleagues while learning what it truly means to practice surgery where you are needed most.
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If you’re looking for a program where your work has immediate impact, your education is personalized, and your future in surgery is actively shaped every day, we would be proud to have you train with us at WRHE.
​​​Peter M. DeVito, MD, FACS
Program Director, General Surgery RTP