Gundersen Lutheran health system is

* A comprehensive healthcare network including one of the nation's largest multi-specialty group medical practices, regional community clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, home care, behavioral health services, vision centers, pharmacies, and air and ground ambulances
* A physician-led, not-for profit healthcare system
* Located throughout western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota caring for patients in 19 counties

* Able to meet patients needs for primary and specialized care
* Comprised of more than 500 medical, dental and associate staff
* Supported by a staff of over 5,000
* A tertiary referral center
* A teaching hospital with 325 beds and a Level II Trauma and Emergency Center
* Named among the Top 100 in the nation seven times in the last nine years.
* The designated Western Clinical Campus for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School and School of Nursing

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program Overview

One of the strengths of the four-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center-La Crosse is its blend of inpatient and outpatient experiences that closely resembles the practice of oral surgeons. It also offers both primary care and tertiary care opportunities in a very busy oral surgery practice. Residents see the routine and more unusual cases.

Because there are no fellows to compete for cases, residents have an unusual opportunity from day one to work side-by-side with attending oral surgeons and Gundersens full complement of dental specialists. Residents enjoy increasing responsibilities until their chief resident year when they run an oral surgery service under the guidance of a supervising oral surgeon. Our focus is training oral surgeons who are excellent clinicians and understand the basic science behind oral surgery procedures.

Our exceptional record of 100 percent of our graduates passing their certification boards the first time they took them over the past 25 years reflects the commitment of our faculty, most of whom have teaching appointments at university dental schools. Medical and dental specialists and residents work in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Attending staff members medical and dental are available to answer questions. They value close working relationships with residents and medical students, creating a nurturing rather than adversarial teaching atmosphere, a milieu we believe prepares better oral surgeons and carries over into patient care.