Overview
The Cape Fear Valley Health Physician Assistant Surgical Residency Program (PASR) provides specialized post-graduate training for physician assistants interested in pursuing a surgical career. This intensive 12-month didactic and clinical surgical training program ensures a unique opportunity to gain patient care experience in a spectrum of general surgery and surgical subspecialties. Alongside the subspecialty experience, PA residents are given the opportunity to attend workshops, gain hands-on teaching experience, simulation training and attend regular didactic curriculum.
The CFVH PASR is administered by Dr Joel Horowitz, Program Director, and a Physician Assistant Program Administrator, Wanda Pettijohn.
We extend a warm welcome to both recent graduates of PA programs and experienced physician assistants and nurse practitioners seeking to redirect their career towards a surgical subspecialty. Our 12-month surgical residency is designed to provide comprehensive exposure to various surgical specialties and to strengthen proficiency in pre-, peri-, and post-operative care for surgical patients.
It’s important to note that this program does not entail a full-time surgical first-assistant position. The day-to-day schedule and requirements for this role align with those of our traditional PGY-1 general surgery resident physicians. For further details on the program curriculum, please contact Dr Joel Horowitz at graduatemedicaleducation@capefearvalley.com or call 910-615-0229.
Program Goals
The CFVH PASR is currently accepting applications for an April 2026 start. Applications will be accepted until October 30, 2025. For more information on applying & the program requirements, please contact Dr Joel Horowitz at graduatemedicaleducation@capefearvalley.com or call 910-615-0229.
The goal of the Physician Assistant Surgical Fellowship Program is to:
- Learn how to critically review and apply one’s medical education to clinical practice.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and an adherence to ethical principles.
- Provide patient care this is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
- Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.
- Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and lifelong learning.
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.
- Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, including the social determinants of health, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources to provide optimal health care.
- Develop baseline understanding of indications and associated benefits, risks, and potential complications related to the diagnosis and treatment of specific surgical diagnoses and procedures using scientific evidence.
- Develop fundamental knowledge on the physician assistant first-assist role within the operating room.
- Experience the physician assistant collaborative role among the healthcare team and other medical disciplines within Cape Fear Valley Health.
- Develop fundamental surgical skills in basic procedures.
Additional Program Policies & Information
Application Process
CFVH PA Surgical Residency is currently accepting applications. Applications for an April 1, 2026 start will be accepted August 15, 2025 – December 1, 2025.
Application
Please use this Link to complete the PASR application.
Contact
Interested candidates may also email their completed applications to:
Cape Fear Valley Health GME Office of Graduate Medical Education Office – Attn: Wanda Pettijohn.
Email: graduatemedicaleducation@capefearvalley.com
For more information about the program:
- Joel Horowitz, MD
- graduatemedicaleducation@capefearvalley.com
- Phone: +1 (910)-615-0229
Prerequisites
To qualify for the Physician Assistant Surgical Residency Program, eligible candidates must have prior to matriculation:
- Graduated from a ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.) accredited PA program or equivalent Nurse Practitioner Degree granting accredited school accreditation program prior to matriculation into the program.
- Certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants or be eligible to sit for the PANCE or equivalent Nurse Practitioner Credentials.
- PA or NP License from the State of North Carolina.
Application Requirements
- Completed application with all requested documentation.
- One-page personal statement focusing on why you are interested in pursuing a career as a surgical PA, why you are you interested in completing a PA residency and/or why you are interested in joining the CFVH Physician Assistant Surgical Residency program.
- Three professional recommendation letters, (Note: one of which MUST be from your current or former PA program director indicating confidence to complete program *).
- In the event that one is unable to obtain a recommendation letter from their current or former PA program director, they must either
- Letters of recommendation can be provided via the applicant or the recommender. We ask if the LOR is provided by the applicant, that up-to-date contact information be provided for the recommender should we need to contact them.
1) obtain a separate letter from a program official confirming they are on track to successfully complete their respective PA/NP program (if not graduated by time of application) or
2) obtain a separate letter from their respective General Surgery rotation preceptor commenting on their respective rotation performance and completion.
Application Timeline
- Length of Program: 12 months
- Program Size: 2 PA Residents
- April 2026 Start
- Applications accepted August 15, 2025 – December 1, 2025
- Interview(s): January 2026
- Notification: rolling
- Program Start: April 1, 2026
Notification
All qualified candidates will be notified in writing of the admission committee’s decision.
Candidates who have been interviewed are notified of the admission committee’s decision 30 days following the final interview date.
Candidates may confirm their place in the class by written acceptance sent directly to the Program Administrator following admission notification.