Yale Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency

Overview
The goal of the two-year residency program in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine and Yale-New Haven Hospital is to train surgical specialists who will be qualified to practice this specialty and, particularly, who will have the opportunity and ability to become academicians. We expect all trainees to finish the residency with a broad basic understanding of cardiovascular and thoracic physiology and disease, and with technical expertise in this specialty. To give the widest possible experience to residents, the Cardiothoracic Surgical Service at the West Haven Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Thoracic Surgical Service at the Hospital of St. Raphael are incorporated with the Surgical Services at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Rotations
One first year cardiothoracic resident spends six months of the first year at Yale-New Haven Hospital and St. Raphael's Hospital as Chief Resident on the Thoracic Surgical Service, participating in the operations performed on the service and carrying out operative procedures commensurate with training. The other cardiothoracic first year resident rotates for six months at the West Haven Veterans Administration Hospital. Three Physician’s Assistants and two Nurse Practitioners add greatly to the quality of care on the wards, CICU, and in the operating room.

The senior cardiothoracic residents spend six months on each of the two adult cardiothoracic surgical services at Yale-New Haven Hospital as Chief Residents of their respective services. For one-half of this year, each resident serves also as Chief Administrative Resident in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Senior residents are appointed as Instructors on the faculty and play a vital role with the faculty in the instruction of Yale medical students and surgical residents on the patient care divisions of the teaching hospitals. They also enjoy certain faculty privileges accompanying this rank. A broad and balanced experience in cardiac and general thoracic surgery is assured.

Research
Members of the Section conduct an active research program involving basic science and clinical problems in cardiothoracic surgery. The research activities cover a broad array of cardiac and thoracic physiology and pathology. Well-equipped laboratories and a machine shop are available for use by residents and fellows. These activities provide opportunities for animal operations and work in biochemistry and electronics. The laboratories are staffed by several full-time electronic engineers, basic scientists and surgical research fellows, and by other appropriate technical personnel. Although the two year program provides little time for active research other than on clinical problems, research fellowships are also available and development of an academic career in cardiothoracic surgery is supported and encouraged.

Conferences
Conferences include a weekly thoracic case review, a combined adult cardiology, radiology and cardiothoracic surgery conference, a work conference for review of the patients studied in the cardiac catheterization laboratory the previous week, a combined pediatric cardiology, radiology and cardiothoracic surgery conference reviewing all children studied during the previous week, a pediatric cardiac surgical film review of selected congenital operative procedures, a cardiac transplant conference, a cardiothoracic surgery mortality and morbidity review conference, a weekly seminar in cardiothoracic surgery and related basic science aspects, and the Department of Surgery Grand Rounds.

Applications
To qualify for admission to the program the applicant must be eligible for examination by the American Board of Surgery, having completed a full residency in General Surgery including a final year as Chief Resident. It is expected also that the applicant will have had some experience on a cardiothoracic service during that period. Research experience and long-term commitment to investigative work are sought in residency applicants. Email may be sent to Suzanne.Giannotti@yale.edu.

Visiting and/or international students interested in a subinternship should contact the Office of International Health and Student Programs by calling (203) 785.5937 or by e-mail at Linda.Limauro@yale.edu. Yale medical students interested in an elective should also contact Ms. Limauro.