Welcome Message from the Program Director
Welcome to the Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center General Surgery Residency Program.
Our program, which began in July 2012 as an AOA-approved program, became ACGME-Continued accredited in 2019. At our residency, we are committed to training the highest level of physician and skilled surgeon who can move directly into fellowship or practice with equal confidence. The program provides residents the opportunity to acquire a broad understanding of general surgical principles and appropriate technical and motor skills in the community and academic setting. We offer residents professional and personal growth through meaningful responsibilities that increase with each level of training.
Thank you for your interest in our program,
Gregory Charak, M.D.
Program Director
Contact Us
Gregory Charak, M.D. - General Surgery Program DirectorTel. : 201-710-2753
Dana Ciongoli - General Surgery Residency Coordinator
Tel. : 201-710-2753
Email: dana.ciongoli@hmhn.org
Marilu Perez-Villalta- General Surgery Assistant Residency Coordinator, Medical Student Coordinator
Tel. : 201-710-2761
Email: Marilu.Perez-Villalta@hmhn.org
Program Overview
Mission Statement
The mission of this residency program is to provide a nurturing but stimulating environment that allows every resident to mature as a surgeon. The residents are given the opportunity to be exposed to three different settings for the delivery of surgical care. Residents will rotate at three very different hospitals, a tertiary-care community hospital, a university hospital and a small community hospital that serves a large Latin community. With an emphasis on evidence based clinical management, excellent patient care is fostered by attending staff, the hospital staff and driven by the surgical residents.
Program Goals
Palisades Medical Center’s General Surgery Residency Program provides residents with a well-rounded, comprehensive, five-year curriculum that will instill the fundamentals to pursue a career path which encompasses the scope general surgery and its developing area of subspecialties