Rotations

UMMC Thoracic & Foregut I

The dedicated non-cardiac thoracic surgery rotation includes instruction in all aspects of thoracic oncology,  esophageal surgery, thoracoscopy (VATS), and robotic surgery. The fellow is under the primary supervision of Dr. Rafael Andrade. The strength of the rotation is an introduction to advanced minimally invasive techniques. The fellow will be exposed to esophageal surgery, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, interventional airway and foregut endoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, diaphragm paralysis and treatment of hyperhidrosis.

VAMC Cardiac/Thoracic I

The first year fellow at VAMC directs the service with faculty supervision. Daily activities include ICU and ward rounds, thoracic and cardiac consults, and performing operations in one of the two dedicated cardiothoracic surgical operating rooms. First-year fellows become the surgeon of record within the first two months of their instruction, performing distal and proximal anastomoses for coronary revascularization and straightforward valve replacements and repairs. Regular involvement with the Structural Heart Team is also integrated into this rotation, including left heart catheterization and transcatheter valve interventions. The fellow performs most of the non-cardiac thoracic procedures as the operating surgeon. The Minneapolis VA continues to be among the highest volume centers performing Cardiothoracic Surgery in the VA system.

UMMC Cardiac Faliure /Transplants

This rotation provides the fellow with extensive experience in the medical and surgical therapies for heart and lung failure as well as thoracic transplantation. In addition, this rotation includes high volume of complex cardiac operations include reoperative surgery, adult congenital operations, complex aortic procedures, and endocarditis. This service provides a high measure of independence and our fellows with master the procedures of VAD placement, extracorporeal support, and cardiac/pulmonary transplantation.

Southdale Hospital

This is a dedicated cardiac surgical rotation at an MHealth affiliate community hospital. This is a high volume cardiac practice with a breadth of exposure including approximately 300 open cases per year. As the fellow on service, between 3 and 6 months can be spent in a mentored relationship with site faculty performing a variety of routine cardiac cases as primary surgeon.

St John's Hospital

This is a dedicated cardiac surgical rotation at an MHealth affiliate community hospital. This is a quickly growing cardiac practice with a breadth of exposure including approximately 250 open cases per year. As the fellow on service, between 3 and 6 months can be spent in a mentored relationship with site faculty performing a variety of routine cardiac cases as primary surgeon.

Donor Procurement

The donor procurement experience will begin in the 1st year and continue through the end of the 3rd year of training. The fellow is trained in the procurement of thoracic organs for transplantation. This is a great experience for the fellow, traveling to other institutions and operating independently and making decisions on the quality and suitability of organs for transplantation in recipients at UMMC. Fellows routinely reach UNOS requirements for procurement, as well as transplantation, by the completion of the fellowship. In addition, training in, and regular use of, cutting edge ex vivo organ preservation systems is included in this experience.

Congenital

The congenital rotation typically occurs during the second year of fellowship. It is a concentrated experience in congenital heart disease with Dr. Pranava Sinha and Dr. Syed Murfad Peer. The cardiothoracic fellows are exposed to a diverse population of infants and children with congenital heart disease. They fully participate in the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of the patients.

Structural Heart Rotation

Multidisciplinary cardiac care is provided at all of our training sites, and while there is not a formal rotation in Structural Heart, its practice is integrated into the cardiac rotations at all sites. Fellows are involved with the evaluation of patients with structural disease, and the decision making related to surgical intervention and transcatheter options. While transcatheter valve interventions are performed at all our clinical sites, the VA provides the most distinct opportunity to work with our interventional colleagues, and our surgeons, to obtain this additional skill set.

VA Chief III

The VA chief cardiothoracic rotation provides the fellow with advanced responsibilities for the cardiothoracic surgical patient. It is a transition rotation, leading the fellow from supervised to independent activity. He/she will perform many complex cardiac procedures or crucial portions of procedures as the primary surgeon. He/she will also provide guidance and mentoring to a first-year cardiothoracic fellow. There is much exposure to thoracic aortic disease, mitral and aortic valve repair and replacement techniques. The chief rotation will give the fellow the depth of knowledge and experience necessary to prepare for a future leadership role in cardiothoracic surgery. Fellows will be fully prepared to independently offer safe and effective cardiothoracic care upon graduation.

UMMC Thoracic & Foregut III

As a chief on this rotation, the fellow will function as junior faculty and continue to build on his/her previous exposure to complex minimally invasive procedures. This exposure includes a breadth of operative experience in minimally invasive thoracic surgery as well as being trained in technically demanding cases such as VATS and Robotic lobectomies and minimally invasive esophagectomies. The opportunity to train in this setting with the most complex minimally invasive surgical techniques is outstanding and the fellow is also encouraged to help in the development of these novel approaches through research and clinical applications.