top of page
image.webp

GENERAL SURGEON

CAREER INFORMATION

Meet Dr. Tan!

Hi, I’m Dr. Tan! I find what I do rewarding because I get to help people, solve problems, and fix things. The hours can be long, the work quite stressful, but it is a privilege to be able to help others. I grew up near Los Angeles, did my training in New York and Connecticut, then worked on Oahu for 5 years before moving to Maui in 2011. Besides work, I spend time with my family, enjoy traveling, and taking photos,

SELECT A TOPIC TO EXPLORE

RESPONSIBILITIES
What do they
do?
What equipment do 
they use?

  • Complete procedures involving most organs and systems

    • Specialized knowledge of the entire surgical process​

    • Kidneys, colons, etc.

  • Responsible for assessing patients, diagnosing conditions, and recommending the best course of action

  • Extensive knowledge about:

    • The digestive tract​

    • The abdomen and its contents

    • The skin and soft tissue, including the breasts

    • The head and neck

    • The blood vessels and heart

    • The endocrine system (hormones and glands)

    • Surgical treatment of cancer

    • Surgical management of traumatic injuries

    • Care of critically ill patients with surgical needs

  • Biopsy punches

  • Wire cutters

  • Medical imaging

  • Steinman pins

  • Blood pressure monitors

  • Self-retaining retractors

  • Bone instruments

  • Syringe pumps

  • Surgical scissors

  • Forceps

  • Scalpel

EDUCATION
Education Guide

To become a registered nurse, first attain a Doctor of Medicine Degree. Then, complete residency. Finally, pass a certification exam and obtain a license.

STEP 1

Complete a bachelor's degree. 

Bachelor's Degree

  • 4 years at a university (any major)

    • MUST fulfill pre-medicine requirements (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)​

  • Take Medical College Admissions Test and apply to medical school

STEP 2

Complete a Doctor of Medicine Degree.

Doctor of Medicine Degree

  • 4 years of medical school

  • Pass United States Medical Licensing Exam (required to obtain a license to practice medicine)

What opportunities are in Hawaiʻi?

University of Hawaii Programs

1200px-University_of_Hawaii_seal.svg.png

John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)

Admissions Process:

1200px-University_of_Hawaii_seal.svg.png

1. Complete the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)

2. Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and the AAMC PREview Professional Readiness Exam

3. Pay a non-refundable JABSOM application fee of $150

4. Submit letters of recommendation and verify the completion of science prerequisites

5. Admissions Decisions are released. Only 77 resident applicants are accepted.

General Courses

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • Calculus

  • Anatomy

  • Microbiology

  • Pathology

  • Pharmacology

  • Medical Ethics

  • Only medical school in Hawaii

  • 4-year program

STEP 3

Complete residency.

Residency

  • 5 years of general surgeon training

  • Residency programs should be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

STEP 4

Pass a certification exam and obtain a license to practice.

Licensing and Certification

  • Completion of the following programs:

    • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support​

    • Advanced Trauma Life Support

    • Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery

    • ABS Flexible Endoscopy Curriculum

  • Pass the General Surgery Qualifying Exam

  • Pass the Board Certification Exams by the American College of Medical Specialties

  • Complete extensive amounts of patient exposure and clinical experience

CAREERS
CAREERS

Work Environments

  • Hospitals

  • Health centers

  • Clinics

Salary
Average for the State of Hawaiʻi

  • Entry level: $159,931

  • Average: $415,397

  • Experienced: $643,479

*Job Salary Trends*

*Average pay as of 2024*

SOURCE: Hawaii Career Explorer

Work Schedule

  • Irregular and long hours

  • Emergency surgeries

  • On-call

Select the image for full view.​

bottom of page