The residency program is supported by a comprehensive core didactic curriculum. The core curriculum consists of weekly didactic lectures, seminars, workshops, anatomy dissection, and a core reading list. The Vanderbilt program has allocated a four hour block every week, protected from clinical activities or other distractions, to devote to didactic activities. The core curriculum is enhanced with the participation by prominent local and national speakers. Residents are provided a generous assortment of textbooks during the course of the residency. Further, beginning with the first year of training resident attendance at a variety of national meetings and continuing education programs is supported by the department. Resident participation in scholarly activities such as clinical research and manuscript preparation are promoted and fully supported by the department.