Our three-year ACGME accredited residency program provides a specific, focused educational experience. Under the guidance of Dr. Scott Swanson, the Program Director, residents will develop their skills as cardiothoracic surgeons and gain the experience needed for certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Residents in our training program are exposed to and participate in a wide range of advanced surgical techniques and technologies. Our cardiac procedures include minimally invasive surgery, valve repair surgery, heart and lung transplantation and mechanical assist devices, and off pump coronary artery bypass surgery. The thoracic operative experience will include treatment of patients with lung and esophageal cancers ranging from malignant pleural effusion to mesothelioma, chest wall tumors, thymomas, germ-cell tumors, neurogenic tumors and cancer of the trachea as well as tumors that spread to the lung.

Our O.R. volume for 2005 was approximately 2000 cases consisting of 900 adult cardiac cases, 200 pediatric cardiac cases, 800 thoracic cases and 25 transplants and assist devices.

We designate the first year resident as the Chief Resident in Thoracic Surgery. This significantly improves the education program by giving the resident the opportunity to oversee the care of these patients and increases his involvement in continuity of care. In addition this resident is fully immerged in the field of thoracic surgery including organizing the weekly General Thoracic Surgery conference. The second year resident is responsible for covering pediatric cardiac surgery and serves as the Assistant Chief Resident in Adult Cardiac Surgery. The third year resident is the Chief Resident and focuses on complex adult cardiac surgery.

Our didactic educational program consists of: monthly SESATS review sessions with the entire faculty; a formal, separate multidisciplinary General Thoracic Clinic Conference; weekly teaching bedside ICU rounds; a bimonthly, resident-run, journal club. Our Mortality and Morbidity conference has been restructured to improve the educational impact. Resident presentations include all radiological and intraoperative images. Discussions occur in the context of the existing medical literature and emphasize an evidenced-based approach to care.