SICU/Acute Care Surgery Acting Internship
Title of Course: SICU/Acute Care Surgery
Elective Type: Acting Internship
Department: Surgery
Type of Elective: Clinical
Course Site: Trinity Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Course Number: SURG 738
Blocks available: All
Number of students per block: 2
Faculty: Dr. Roy Golden
Elective Description/Requirements:
Students will be integral members of the Acute Care Surgery and SICU service caring
for the critically ill general surgery and trauma surgery patients. Students will
work intimately with the surgical team assigned to the SICU and Acute Surgery Service
and attendings who round daily. Students attend daily rounds, respond to critical
consults, participate in the operating room, and attend conferences. Students will
gain experience in modern diagnosis and treatment of surgical disease and related
professional skills such as the patient’s personal reaction to disease and recognition
of social personal factors contributing to disease, particularly in a trauma setting.
Student required to perform at least 3 full H&P’s and 3 discharge summaries. Students
will participate in overnight call.
Length of Course: 4 weeks
Educational Course Objectives and Links to EPOs:
- Perform a detailed history and physical exam under routine and emergent circumstances. (EPOs: PC-1)
- Discuss the principles of resuscitations and hemodynamic monitoring management. (EPOs: PC-5, MK-4, MK-6, MK-7)
- Develop and formulate a plan for diagnostic evaluation. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4, MK-6, MK-7, PC-5)
- Interpret significant findings of laboratory and diagnostic studies. (EPOs: IPC-1, IPC-2, PC-1)
- Discuss a working knowledge of how to care for the critically ill surgical patient. (EPOs: PC-5, MK-4, MK-6, MK-7)
- Perform less complex procedures. (EPOs: PC-5)
- Participate in surgical procedures respecting sterile technique and universal precautions. (EPOs: PC-5)
- Accurately present patient information concerning the patient’s condition, progress and results of laboratory and imaging studies. (EPOs: PC-5, MK-7, PC-1, IPC-1, IPC-2)
- Write a complete and accurate daily progress note including interpretation of results of laboratory and radiographic/imaging studies. (EPOs: IPC-1, IPC-2, PC-1)
- Discuss prioritizing the management of therapeutic options along with managing the pre and post operative patient. (EPOs: MK-4, MK-6, PC1 PC-5, PC-6, PC-7)
- Demonstrate proficiency at performing trauma protocol. (EPOs: IPC-1, IPC-2, PC-1, PC-7, PC-8)
- List the most common causes of traumatic injuries and surgical problems and learn how to treat them. (EPOs: PC-7, PC-8, MK-7)
- Manage a patient pre and post operatively. (EPOs: PC-7, MK-1)
- Prioritize management of therapeutic options. (EPOs: PC-7, PC-8, MK-1)
- Communicate concise pertinent information at the time of hand off post trauma call. (EPOs: PC-6, PC-7)
- Participate in evening or weekend clinical care to support continuity of patient care and demonstrate professionalism in varied clinical settings. (EPO: IPC-2)
- Conduct structured patient handoffs using an evidence‑based communication approach to ensure safe and accurate transfer of care. (EPO: SBP-1)
Professionalism: Students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department.
Instructional Methods:
- Interpretation of lab data
- Diagnostic tests-use/interpretation
- Small group discussions
- Case studies
- Ambulatory care experience
- Grand rounds
- Teaching rounds
- Residency program/departmental conferences
Assessment Methods:
- Acting Internship Assessment
- Case write up
Prerequisites: Successful completion of required Surgery clerkship. Students must apply and be accepted by completing the application form.
Special Requirements:
- As part of the acting internship, students are required to participate in at least one evening or weekend clinical experience. This experience ensures exposure to the full spectrum of patient care responsibilities and supports readiness for residency-level schedules and work environment.
- Students are expected to participate in structured patient handoffs as part of their clinical responsibilities. This includes observing and contributing to the sign-out processes to ensure safe, effective transitions of care.
- Participation in night call is recommended because many cases come in after hours. A call schedule may be arranged per individual faculty member.
Clerkship Director: Stephanie Pannell, M.D.
Clerkship Coordinator: Alyx Wiley
Phone Number: 419.383.3580
Email: bwiley3@rockets.utoledo.edu
ECC Approved
March 2026