General Surgery Residency

Medical residents and faculty at TTUHSC Amarillo practicing endoscopy skills on a simulation model during surgical training.

TTUHSC General Surgery Residency Program in Amarillo, Texas

Application Deadline | November 15, 2025
Next Start Date | July 1, 2026

Thank you for your interest in the General Surgery Residency at TTUHSC in Amarillo. Our program is based at the Harrington Regional Medical Center, home to three acute care hospitals with nearly 1,000 beds and a comprehensive range of medical specialties. The center also includes rehabilitation, long-term acute care and skilled nursing facilities.

Citizens of Amarillo often say, “If you wear out a pair of shoes here, you won’t want to leave.” Amarillo is known for its welcoming atmosphere, strong community values and affordable cost of living. With abundant sunshine, a four-season climate and a small-town feel, Amarillo offers a high quality of life. Residents enjoy shopping on Historic Route 66, dining at local restaurants and exploring local breweries and wineries. Cultural highlights include the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Little Theatre and performances at the Amarillo Civic Center and Starlight Ranch.

Sports enthusiasts can attend baseball games at Hodgetown, home of the Double-A Sod Poodles, or ice hockey games with the Amarillo Wranglers. Outdoor lovers will appreciate Wildcat Bluff, Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Lake Meredith. Skiing and mountain recreation are only a few hours away by car. Amarillo’s Rick Husband International Airport offers direct flights to several major cities.

We look forward to hearing from you. For more information, contact us at AmaSurgResidencyInquiries@ttuhsc.edu.

Dear Future Surgeons,

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) 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 TTUHSC works to grow the health care workforce in the Panhandle, we are committed to establishing a robust surgical residency program at TTUHSC 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 TTUHSC 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 (TTUHSC) 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 TTUHSC, 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.

TTUHSC 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 TTUHSC Amarillo a special place to train. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for considering TTUHSC 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

Surgery M.D.'s group photo includes Drs. Laswi, Obokhare, Schneider, Nazim, Hansen, Soliman, Hashimoto, Elfedaly, and Quigley
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 functions as a crossroads to the nation. TTUHSC in Amarillo services a very large geographical region that includes Eastern New Mexico, Western Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, Southeastern Colorado, and portions of Kansas; in total, TTUHSC serves a population of more than 600,000 people.

Partnerships (Clinical Rotations Sites): Clinical sites in Amarillo include Northwest Texas Healthcare System (NWTHS), BSA Health System, Texas Oncology, Panhandle Surgical Hospital, and Texas Tech Physicians Surgery. NWTHS is the region’s 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, TTUHSC partners with outside facilities to enhance the residency experience. Partnerships include Houston Methodist Hospital for transplant surgery and Hereford Regional Medical Center for a true rural surgery experience.

Size of Surgical Residency Program: TTUHSC will accept two categorical residents each 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 a broad experience in general surgery and its subspecialties over the course of five years. They will work closely with the faculty at TTUHSC in Amarillo, which includes nine fellowship-trained core faculty and multiple mid-levels.

Length of Surgical Residency Program: Five years

Highlights: Robotics, surgical simulation, research opportunities, rural rotations and trauma centers

GET TO KNOW THE FACULTY

See the surgery faculty profiles on the Amarillo Surgery Department page.

RESIDENT PROGRAM AIMS

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Surgery Residency Program aims to produce the next generation of well-trained, balanced, compassionate and exemplary leaders in the field of general surgery by:

Providing residents with opportunities to engage in basic and advanced surgical simulation and robotics training through a state-of-the-art simulation center located adjacent to the primary site, along with patient-centered education through procedural skills.
Training residents to perform at the advanced level expected of a board-certified specialist through didactic instruction and education in operative techniques.
Offering weekly didactic instruction on the basic and clinical sciences of surgical diseases and conditions to enhance knowledge and improve patient care.
Requiring each resident to participate in peer-reviewed research with opportunities for local, regional, and national presentations of their work, as well as manuscript submission.
Conducting the majority of clinical rotations at community hospitals, effectively preparing residents for independent practice in rural and community settings.
Maintaining a balanced faculty-to-resident ratio to optimize the educational experience and equip residents with the necessary skills to excel as surgeons.

TTUHSC Amarillo general surgery residents collaborating on a clinical skills exercise with faculty supervision.

CURRICULUM

Operative Experience: TTUHSC Surgery residents will perform a minimum of 850 surgeries to meet the American Board of Surgery licensing requirements. However, most residents will perform more than 1,200 surgeries during their training. Residents who choose TTUHSC will receive specialized trauma and critical care experience at NWTHS and BSA (including instruction from two fellowship-trained surgeons in burn care). Additionally, they will acquire invaluable experience at the Bariatric Surgery Center for Excellence. Five-year rotation sample

TTUHSC surgery residents at TTUHSC Amarillo practicing hands-on procedural training with faculty guidance in a clinical skills lab.

Laboratory Experience: SimCentral, lap trainer, cut suit, robot trainer, endoscopic, trainer

General surgery residents at TTUHSC Amarillo participating in a simulation-based training session with faculty around a patient manikin.

Online Curriculum: SCORE

Dedication Education Day: Protected education time will occur each Friday from 7 a.m.—to 1 p.m. and will include morning report, M&M conference, science lecture or grand rounds, this week in SCORE, lunch & learn professional development and simulation lab. The following events will be hosted once per month: ABSITE review, journal club, research update and resident meeting.

Scholarly Activity: The faculty at TTUHSC are active clinically and academically. Residents at TTUHSC will also be encouraged to publish clinical research. There are opportunities for collaborative activities with the TTUHSC School of Health Professions, TTUHSC School of Nursing, TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy and the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, all located on the Amarillo campus.

Certificates Offered: ATLS, ACLS, FES, FLS

ADMISSION AND SALARY INFORMATION

Amarillo Graduate Medical Education

Admissions

Application Requirements

Salary and Benefits

Research and Programs

Research

To view the faculty's research from the last five years click here.

Get F.I.T. to Stay Fit - CPRIT Project PP210017

Get F.I.T. to Stay Fit is bringing education and clinical services to the Texas Panhandle to reduce the number of deaths from colorectal cancer — ultimately improving quality of life by detecting the disease in its early stages. Learn more about the project here.

Events & Activities

Our residents enjoy a wide range of activities and events both within the program and throughout the Amarillo community. To view those events click here.

Connect With TTUHSC

Whether you want to experience student life, learn about our latest research or stay up to date on events, there is something for everyone on our social media community.