The Department of Surgery provides quality primary, secondary, tertiary and quarternary surgical care to the people of North Carolina; serves as a surgical referral center for patients from throughout the United States and worldwide; educates medical school undergraduates, residents, and fellows in the surgical specialties and subspecialties; advances scholarly research and clinical investigation in the health sciences; and provides community service throughout the state of North Carolina by active participation in the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and through public education, interaction with community agencies and providers, and serving as a referral and information center for patients in need of the highest-level of surgical and diagnostic services. The patient care, education, research, and community service missions are intertwined. Their synergy makes possible excellent education, extensive community service, and an enhanced quality of patient care. These essential linkages are recognized and maintained.