Our next Essential Surgery Skills Course will be held in the Summer of 2027
Baylor College of Medicine and the National School of Tropical Medicine offer a six-day skills conference leading to certification in Tropical Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Physicians train to provide emergent surgical care in low surgeon-density, humanitarian and disaster contexts. They also network and collaborate with physicians dedicated to improving access to surgical and anesthetic services worldwide.
The conference is held in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, the largest life sciences destination in the world, with 54 institutions and more than 7.2 million visitors annually. Alongside expert colleagues in global health, attendees engage in hands-on experiences with tissue and model-based simulations to prepare to face many of the emergent and essential surgical procedures as identified by the third edition of the Disease Control Priorities Volume 1: Essential Surgery. The conference covers common surgical scenarios in orthopedics, urology, obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery, anesthesia, ultrasound and more. The curriculum also explores the challenges of surgery in areas of conflict, austerity and disaster.
The course content is designed for both the practicing physician as well as residents and fellows who currently or plan to practice in resource-limited contexts. A Certificate in Tropical Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology will be awarded to the trainee by the National School of Tropical Medicine upon passage of the end-course exam. This course will be offered Aug. 18-22, 2025.
Course Curriculum
- Intubation
- Craniotomy
- Internal and External Fixation
- Nerve Blockade
- Caesarean Delivery
- Bladder Repair
- Hand and Tendon Injury
- Vaginal Delivery
- Fasciotomy
- Prostatectomy
- Skin Grafts and Flaps