Summer Springboard
Surgery
ON THE CAMPUS OF BERKELEY
DISCOVER THE PRECISION, TEAMWORK, AND INNOVATION BEHIND SURGICAL MEDICINE.
This is a two-week program where you’ll focus on one course for the entire duration.
Surgery @ Berkeley
- Introduction to Surgical Specialties – Explore different types of surgery from orthopedics to neurosurgery
- Basic Surgical Skills – Practice suturing, sterile technique, and using surgical instruments safely
- Operating Room Insights – Learn about surgical teams, protocols, and what happens during operations
- Medical Simulation Experience – Use training models to practice basic procedures and decision-making
- Surgical Technology Overview – Discover robotic surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and medical innovations
- Surgeon Mentorship – Connect with practicing surgeons across multiple specialties
Summer Springboard
Surgery
About This Course
Summer Springboard’s course in Surgery gives students an introductory look into the world of surgery and helps them discover what it takes to become a surgical professional. This program focuses on fundamental surgical concepts, basic skills development, and exposure to different surgical specialties. Students will learn about surgical careers while developing an understanding of the precision, teamwork, and dedication required in surgical medicine.
Designed for students considering medical careers, this program provides realistic insight into surgical training and practice. Through skill-building exercises and mentorship with practicing surgeons, you’ll gain valuable perspective on whether surgical medicine aligns with your interests and career goals.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students practice basic surgical skills using training models, learn proper suturing techniques, and participate in medical simulation exercises that introduce surgical decision-making and teamwork.
Career Exploration
Connect with surgeons from various specialties to learn about medical school requirements, surgical residency training, and different surgical career paths including general surgery, orthopedics, and minimally invasive specialties.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“The program was everything I thought it would be. It’s an experience that will make you feel connected to other people and to the course itself. It makes you become more comfortable with who you are and the things that you’re passionate about. I really enjoyed everything about it.”
-Imani J. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Surgery
Meet Your Instructor
The Surgery course at Berkeley is being designed and coordinated by Dr. Anna Zhao, a general surgery resident at UCSF, with additional instruction provided by residents in various surgical specialties to provide a greater breadth of knowledge and experience. Dr. Zhao grew up in Michigan and the East Coast (NJ, MA, CT, NY), but chose to come to beautiful San Francisco for residency due to the high quality of training and pediatric surgery faculty here at UCSF. On her journey to surgery, she also worked as a high school biology teacher in the Bronx and obtained her MBA. She loves working with students of all ages! She never wanted to go into surgery until her third year of medical school, but clearly that changed and she is excited to show everyone why surgery is an amazing specialty to pursue.
DR. ANNA ZHAO
“Summer Springboard did not only prepare me for a career but also the real world while leaving time to make life long friends and having fun.”
-Addison W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Surgery
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 14 – June 25, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition First Week |
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| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
| Course Supplement: $250 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
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| City: Berkeley |
| State: California |
| Campus: Berkeley |
*Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly, NYSID and UW Foster which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.