Our faculty is dedicated to the goal of providing a comprehensive educational environment that fosters the professional development of our residents, thereby enabling them to become proficient cardiothoracic surgeons. Following residency, trainees will be fully prepared for board-certification in Thoracic Surgery.
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Our ACGME accredited training program offers a rich case mix of adult cardiac and general thoracic patients drawn from a network of affiliated clinical sites. Residents may elect to concentrate in either cardiac surgery or thoracic surgery but must meet all requirements for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification upon graduation. At the completion of training, all residents will be competent in the 6 core competencies:
Traditional Pathway – 2 years Cardiothoracic Surgery (PGY-6 – PGY-7)
Residents will be assigned rotations consisting of 12 one month blocks at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH). There will be a 2 month pediatric rotation at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the first year. Below is a sample rotation schedule over the 2 years.
Joint 4/3 Pathway - 4 years General Surgery (PGY-1 – PGY-4), 3 years Cardiothoracic Surgery (PGY-5 – PGY-7)
This pathway offers a joint General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery opportunity where residents will have comprehensive exposure to both disciplines. Upon completion, residents will be eligible for certification through the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Below is a sample rotation schedule over the 7 years.
Integrated 5 + 2 Pathway – 5 years Vascular Surgery (PGY-1 – PGY-5), 2 years Cardiothoracic Surgery (PGY-6 – PGY-7)
This innovative approach to surgical training is a groundbreaking educational experience that is not offered anywhere else in the country. We have built a curriculum that leads to eligibility for certification through the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery in Vascular Surgery. Below is a sample rotation schedule over the 7 years.
The Thoracic Surgery Program is committed to providing an outstanding didactic curriculum to complement clinical teaching. Tuesday mornings are designated as protected time for the weekly academic conference schedule. All members of the cardiac and thoracic surgery staff are full participants in the educational schedule. Below is a listing of educational activities that are provided:
Allegheny General Hospital
Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), located on Pittsburgh’s north side, is a national leader in cardiovascular, cancer, neuroscience, orthopedics, and transplants. 23 main operating rooms and integrated minimally invasive suite, 4 specialized operating rooms, and 7 Ambulatory Surgery Center operating rooms; 24-bed surgical/trauma intensive care unit, 32-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and 32-bed neurosurgical intensive care unit. The hospital was first in the state to open a dedicated trauma ICU and is a Level I Regional Resource Center for Trauma that annually admits more than 2,000 patients to the Division of Trauma Surgery. Our air ambulance service, LifeFlight, introduced in 1978, was the first aeromedical emergency transport system in the northeastern United States. Five LifeFlight helicopters transport more than 200 patients per month within a 150-mile radius of Pittsburgh.
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
A hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is the only hospital in Southwestern Pennsylvania dedicated solely to the care of infants, children and young adults.
