Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship

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.

Southdal 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.

Sample Cardiothoracic Track 

YEAR 1

The first year fellow will spend six months at the VA Medical Center participating in adult cardiovascular surgery and general thoracic surgery. The other six-month block is in general thoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. This year is designed to provide the basics for patient evaluation, operative intervention/surgical technique, and postoperative management. Fellows will perform the vast majority of the operative cases under staff supervision. Increased responsibility will be offered to those demonstrating excellent judgmental and technical abilities regardless of their track. This will provide a strong foundation for the remaining two years.

YEAR 2

The second year consists of flexible 3-4 month rotations, based upon educational interest, hospital coverage, and existing trainee complement. Primary hospital sites include community type cardiac practice at St Johns and Southdale hospitals, as well as congenital experience at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s hospital. Other opportunities have included rotations at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, the Adult Cardiac Service at UMMC, or endovascular/structural heart electives. This year also includes more frequent involvement with donor organ procurement, in anticipation of independent procurement responsibilities by the start of the 3rd year.

YEAR 3

The chief year consists of two six-month blocks. The VA rotation includes advanced adult cardiovascular surgical techniques and graded increases in responsibility. The VA chief is also the primary fellow for independent donor organ procurement. The University of Minnesota Medical Center Cardiac Failure / Transplants rotation provides the fellow with a saturated experience in the medical and surgical therapies for heart and lung failure as well as thoracic transplantation. Both of these rotations are predominantly adult cardiovascular rotations and provide a high measure of independence and well-rounded operative experience. Care is taken that all fellows achieve sufficient experience and case numbers required for board eligibility, as well as achieving UNOS numbers for certification in heart and lung transplantation.

Sample General Thoracic Track 

The thoracic track rotations are tailored for those interested in a career in general thoracic surgery. It has been easy to transition to a dedicated general thoracic track because we have always offered a sound thoracic experience in our well-established cardiothoracic training program.

One of the aims of the Section of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery is to train modern thoracic surgeons in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These new techniques are essential for the next generation of thoracic surgeons who will be future leaders in providing cutting edge therapy and advancing the field of general thoracic surgery. The resident will master these techniques by the end of training in preparation of a productive career in whatever practice setting the resident desires.

YEAR 1

The first year of training in the thoracic track is essentially the same as the first year in the cardiothoracic track. Each fellow spends 6 months on the UMMC Thoracic and Foregut Service and 6 months on the VA Cardiothoracic Surgery Service. During the 6 months at the VA, the fellow participates in a mix of adult cardiovascular surgery (2/3) and general thoracic surgery (1/3). Increased responsibility will be offered to those demonstrating excellent judgmental and technical abilities regardless of their track.

YEAR 2

In combination with the first-year experience in adult cardiac surgery at the VA, all cardiac surgery requirements for the General Thoracic Track are completed within the first 6 months of the second year. Three months are spent on the UMMC Cardiac Failure / Transplants service and 3 months in an Advanced Thoracic Elective (with the potential for an away rotation).

YEAR 3

The chief year includes 6 months at the VA dedicated to general thoracic surgery with advanced clinical and technical freedom and responsibility. The final 6 months will be spent as a chief in advanced thoracic surgery at UMMC. This includes heavy exposure to minimally invasive thoracic and foregut surgery.

The fellow is integrated into the organ procurement experience during the second and third year of training. Our program is structured to give the fellow adequate UNOS transplant numbers for certification.

“The Cardiothoracic Surgery program at the University of Minnesota has an illustrious history and legacy that speaks for itself. The operative autonomy is excellent, and balanced with training to enable sound decision making. As fellows, we are trusted and constantly pushed to get the best out of us. The work atmosphere is very collegial, and all faculty are whole-heartedly invested in training fellows.”
Yash Vaidya, Fellow

“I knew the University of Minnesota would be a great place to train because of the people I met here. I felt like family after meeting the surgeons and have not been disappointed. There is great camaraderie amongst the fellow that breeds an excellent learning environment.  The autonomy here is excellent and I feel like the training from Minnesota will give me a great boost in practice.” 
Devin Rigg, Fellow

"At the University of Minnesota CT fellowship program, fellows are exposed to all aspects of general thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary transplantation over the course of their training. UMN CT trainees enjoy invaluable operative experience in diverse clinical settings, and the experience is complemented by a collegial group of surgeons with diverse skill sets who are passionate about teaching and metorship, and attend to the unique educational needs of each trainee. In addition to an exposure to minimally invasive techniques and cutting edge technology, the case volume, complexity and diversity allow for tracking based on the career interest of each trainee, such that at graduation, UMN CT trainees are invariably ready for independent practice in an academic or private practice setting. Fellows are also supported to participate in research and seek out opportunities for professional development relevant to their career interests."

Aitua Salami, MD, MPH
Thoracic Surgery Alumni

"The Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship at University of Minnesota is the place to be for surgeons who want comprehensive hands-on Cardiothoracic Surgery training. Our program prides itself on the autonomy given to fellows from day one and on allowing senior fellows to function as junior faculty, operating independently. As such, our trainees are very comfortable right out of fellowship and are able to practice without the need of any additional training. The faculty are all very kind and great to work with, both in the operating room and on the floors. They are truly role models in every respect and are people you would want to have as partners in the future. Our program focuses on training the leaders of tomorrow by encouraging innovation at every level of patient care. Given the opportunity to train again, I would definitely choose to come to University of Minnesota for my Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship."

Ankit Verma, MD
Thoracic Surgery Alumni

Interviews will take place on the following dates: 

Saturday, February 1, 2025
Saturday, February 22, 2025

The evening before each interview day, we will host a Meet & Greet with our current fellows.

How to Apply

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Eligibility Requirements Effective July 1, 2022

All required clinical education for entry into ACGME-accredited fellowship programs must be completed in an ACGME-accredited residency program, an AOA-approved residency program, a program with ACGME International (ACGME-I) Advanced Specialty Accreditation, or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency program located in Canada.

Independent thoracic surgery fellowship education must be preceded by a successfully completed residency program that satisfies the requirements in III.A.1. in surgery, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery, or thoracic surgery. Eligibility exceptions are not permitted by the ACGME Review Committee for Thoracic Surgery.

Visa Policy

The J-1 alien physician visa sponsored by ECFMG is the preferred visa status for foreign national trainees in all U of MN graduate medical education programs, as well as the Thoracic Surgery training program. We will also consider applicants with H1-B visas. Additional information on the Institution visa policies can be found on the UMN-GME webpage.

Application Instructions

Please submit your application via ERAS (ACGME ID: 4602621046, Program Name: University of Minnesota Program, Minneapolis, MN).

The required electronic application documents are as follows:

• Common Applications Form
• Personal Statement 
• 3 Letters of Recommendation 
• Photo
• ECFMG Status Report (foreign medical graduates only) 

We look forward to receiving your application documents electronically. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].