Justin Cozza
“The culture of the general surgery program here at WVU is one that is very supportive. The faculty are outstanding educators and provide appropriate guidance and autonomy as you grow into a practicing surgeon throughout your training.”
Note: Graduate Medical Education is featuring Dr. Cozza as the Summer 2025 Star Resident who was nominated for exemplary work ethic, willingness to cover other clinical duties as needed and dedicating additional time after his shifts to ensure things are completed.
Why did you choose the WVU School of Medicine to continue your training?
I had to transfer residency programs after an unexpected closure of my program after my third year. WVU offered an opportunity to complete my training at a center of high volume, diverse and complex surgical care under a strong group of surgical educators.
What would you tell your MS1 self as you look back on where you started in medical school?
I would tell myself that no matter where this journey takes you, no matter what ups and downs you experience, don't lose sight of your goals. With hard work and resilience things will work out they way they are supposed to. Take everything as a learning opportunity and soak up as much knowledge and clinical experiences as possible.
What’s been your most memorable experience at WVU or in Morgantown so far?
How quickly I was accepted to and integrated within the program by fellow residents and all of the faculty. I was provided opportunity and given the autonomy of a senior resident without the experience of solely training here.
What’s next after you complete your training? Where do you hope to practice?
I will be completing a fellowship in Colorectal Surgery at University of Texas Houston. The current plan is to return to WVU as faculty.
Who are your supporters, and what would you tell them?
My main supporters are my parents. I would like to tell them that I would not be where I am without their continuous support before, during and after medical school. I'd like to thank them for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself and sacrificing their lives to ensure I was able to succeed and meet my goals.
My wife. I would like to tell her thank you for sticking by my side through all the hard times of residency. Thank you for your patience, understanding and loving support.
My mentors, specifically the colorectal surgery faculty here at WVU. Thank you for all your support and dedication to my education and advancement of my career. I wouldn’t be able to continue my training and future career without you all.
What’s interesting about your specialty?
The diverse surgical care we are able to provide to all patients from trauma, critical care, emergency and elective general surgery, surgical oncology, transplant, vascular, thoracic and pediatrics cases amongst others.
How would you describe the culture of your program?
The culture of the general surgery program here at WVU is one that is very supportive. All of the faculty are outstanding educators that provide the residents the appropriate guidance and autonomy as we grow into a practicing surgeon throughout our training. The residents are very supportive of one another and provide a sense that you are never alone. If you need extra help with taking care of your patients, tending to an emergency in your life or one of your patients, covering traumas, covering extra cases, covering unexpected shifts or just needing someone to vent to, there is always a fellow resident willing to help.