Emory University School of Medicine Program

The Independent Three-Year Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency at Emory University School of Medicine is designed to provide comprehensive training in both cardiac and thoracic surgical disciplines. This program is fully accredited by the ACGME and aims to prepare residents through rigorous training in the preoperative and postoperative care of patients with congenital, acquired, traumatic, and neoplastic thoracic diseases. Applicants must be graduates of a five-year accredited general surgery residency program and be eligible for board certification in general surgery.

Residents in the Independent program rotate through five hospitals, gaining extensive experience through exposure to approximately 2,900 adult cardiac cases, 900 thoracic cases, and 800 congenital heart cases annually. This diverse case volume ensures that upon completion of the program, residents will have performed around 700 surgical cases either as the attending surgeon or first assistant during their training 1.

Program Structure

The residency structure incorporates a unique design where residents select between two tracks: the Cardiac Surgery Track or the General Thoracic Surgery Track. Each track comprises a total of three four-month blocks dedicated to various surgical practices within the Emory system. For instance, residents in the General Thoracic Surgery track spend roughly 20 months on thoracic service, supplemented by 12 months on cardiac service, and four months of elective time. This elective time is particularly valuable as it allows residents to investigate interests in specific areas such as robotic surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and advanced endoscopy, among others. Residents can also opt for rotations in approved institutions beyond Emory, which include international sites 1.

Clinical Experience and Case Volume

Emory's program is recognized for its high volume of cases and the breadth of surgical exposure that residents acquire. By the end of the three years, residents are typically expected to complete over 800 operative cases. The range of procedures includes approximately 80 video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic resections, 30 esophagectomies, 80 coronary revascularizations, 40 valve repairs or replacements, and others. This high case volume is complemented by comprehensive didactic instruction and simulation training, ensuring residents achieve a robust surgical foundation 1.

Research Opportunities

Research is a significant component of the curriculum at Emory, with all residents required to participate in scholarly activities. The program encourages residents to engage in various research endeavors, including clinical studies and collaborations with faculty to publish in reputable journals. Each resident is expected to complete at least one scholarly project per year, with many residents achieving multiple publications and presentations at regional and national conferences throughout their training. Faculty involvement spans a wide range of academic pursuits and positions the program as one of the most academically productive in the country 1.

Program Leadership and Vision

The Independent program is directed by a faculty member who has a well-established background in both clinical practice and surgical education. The leadership emphasizes a commitment to fostering a robust learning environment that integrates direct patient care with innovative research. This allows residents to gain mentorship from experts in the field and provides substantial networking opportunities with leading professionals in cardiothoracic surgery 1.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

Admission to the Independent Thoracic Surgery program is competitive. Applicants typically need to demonstrate a solid foundation in general surgery, with specific emphasis on successful completion of the general surgery residency within a timely manner. The program does not specify a maximum number of failed STEP exams, but generally, candidates with fewer failures are viewed favorably. Visa support is available, as the program can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas for international medical graduates, making it accessible for diverse candidates.

Unique Features

One of the unique aspects of this program is the opportunity for international rotations, which allows residents to gain exposure to diverse surgical practices and healthcare systems globally. Additionally, the flexibility of elective rotations provides the chance to explore specific interests or emergent subspecialties in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. The combination of high-volume surgery, intensive research involvement, and diverse training opportunities distinctly enrich the residency experience at Emory University School of Medicine 2.