Located in the heart of the Midwest and ranked among the friendliest cities in the nation, Indianapolis offers a blend of big-city opportunity and small-town charm. From a vibrant food scene and cultural offerings to world-class sports and green spaces, the city has it all. With so many options for surgical training across the country—from the coasts to major metropolitan areas—what makes Indianapolis the standout destination for aspiring surgeons?
“Living in Indy has made residency feel more manageable and even enjoyable,” said General Surgery Research Resident, Alexa Hughes, MD, MEd. “Being able to decompress outside of work is so important, and this city offers a ton of ways to do that—concerts, great food, fun neighborhoods, and an awesome co-resident community. I think being in a city that truly supports your quality of life helps you show up better as a resident.”
For Hughes, building a sense of community in Indianapolis was a priority after relocating to the Midwest for residency after graduating from Penn State College of Medicine. By blending her passion for exercise with her social life, she’s found meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.
“I’ve been able to build a community outside of residency through the Indy Runners group and my local Orangetheory, even running the Monumental Marathon here in Indy,” said Hughes. “That kind of balance and support has made a huge difference in my overall experience.”
Abundance of opportunities and affordable cost of living
As the Department of Surgery’s Clinical Education Leader, Brianne Nickel, MA, has observed firsthand through her work with surgery residents that access to a high volume of patients, unique surgical cases and continuous education and research opportunities are a core reason residents feel compelled to train in the Hoosier state.
“Trainees are drawn to the breadth and depth of surgical exposure offered here—case volumes and complexity across multiple hospital systems provide exceptional preparation for both fellowship and immediate entry into private practice,” said Nickel. “Those aiming for academic careers are supported through funded master's degrees and access to clinical, translational, and education research, which enhances their research years and makes them standout applicants for competitive fellowships.”
In addition to an abundance of educational and research opportunities, General Surgery Resident, Jackson Baril, MD, highlighted the affordable cost of living and the close proximity of hospitals as the main reasons why the city is an ideal place to reside and train among other factors.
“It's a very easy place to live,” said Baril “There's a lot to do, I have a short commute to all of our hospitals, flying to my parents’ home for holidays is easy, and I was able to afford to buy a house as a resident. It feels like my list of restaurants to try keeps getting bigger even though I've been eating my way through the city.”
Although different than Pennsylvania, Hughes appreciates the Midwestern hospitality and culture she’s experienced during her time in Indy, making her feel right at home.
“Indy has a really welcoming, down-to-earth vibe,” said Hughes. “It’s a true Midwestern city—friendly people, a strong sense of community, and a surprising amount of pride in local events and sports. Whether it’s a Colts game, the Indy 500, or just a sunny day walking around a local farmers market.”
Shaping the future of surgical training and patient care
While the city has much to offer, the addition of a new $4.3 billion-dollar medical campus featuring a new surgical skills lab, state-of-the-art, 864-bed hospital, a new primary medical school building and expanded basic and translational science labs also play a key role in why residents choose to continue their surgical training in Indy.
“Excitement continues to build around the new IU Health Academic Health Center, set to open in late 2027,” said Nickel. “This transformative facility will consolidate IU Health Methodist and University Hospitals, creating a centralized, state-of-the-art academic hospital. Residents who match with us starting in 2024 will be part of this transition and will help shape what promises to be one of the most advanced training environments in the country.”
Indianapolis offers surgical residents the rare combination of top-tier training, strong community, and an affordable, enriching lifestyle. With the upcoming IU Health Academic Health Center, trainees will gain access to one of the most advanced surgical training environments in the country. For those looking to grow both professionally and personally, Indy is a place to build a career and a life.
