Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Program

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provides an advanced educational experience for medical professionals looking to specialize in cardiothoracic anesthesia. This program combines rigorous clinical training with exposure to cutting-edge research, ensuring fellows develop the necessary skills needed to excel in this demanding field.

Program Overview

The fellowship is structured to provide comprehensive training in both adult and pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesiology, with hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced faculty members. The division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia is integral to the Mount Sinai Health System, participating in over 2,000 adult and pediatric procedures annually, with a strong emphasis on minimally invasive techniques.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship curriculum is designed to maximize exposure to complex cases including cardiac surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve surgeries, thoracic aorta repair, and lung surgeries. Each fellow will have opportunities to participate in surgical procedures using cardiopulmonary bypass as well as perform transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), an essential skill in cardiothoracic anesthesia.

Fellows are also expected to engage in intensive care medicine, particularly in managing post-operative patients requiring advanced monitoring and life support. The critical care component is further enhanced by experiences in the 15-bed Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, treating critically ill patients from various surgical services.

Research Opportunities

A hallmark of the Icahn School of Medicine is its commitment to research. Fellows are encouraged to participate in ongoing studies within the division, which frequently includes trials on topics such as new monitoring techniques, anticoagulant therapies, and outcomes research. The program collaborates closely with other departments, particularly in liver transplant anesthesia and neuroanesthesia, allowing for interdisciplinary research projects.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program is distinguished by its access to advanced simulation technologies and a dedicated Anesthesiology Simulation Lab (HELPS Center). Here, fellows can practice and refine their technical skills in a controlled environment, emphasizing patient safety and procedural proficiency.

Moreover, fellows have opportunities to attend national and international meetings, contributing to the scholarly output of the department through presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Training Sites

The fellowship primarily takes place at The Mount Sinai Hospital, which is a 1,200-bed academic medical center renowed for its diverse patient population and variety of complex cases. The fellowship experience is enhanced by rotations at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside, where additional clinical experiences in anesthesiology and critical care are provided.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for qualified international medical graduates (IMGs), supporting J-1 and H-1B visa categories, thus making it accessible to a diverse pool of applicants.

Competitiveness

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship is highly competitive, attracting applicants from across the globe, including those with D.O. degrees and IMGs. The selection process places a strong emphasis on prior clinical experience in anesthesiology and research involvement.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to meet specific criteria, typically including but not limited to completed anesthesiology training. Additionally, applicants may have to comply with maximum failed USMLE/STEP exam attempts, although specifics can vary and are best confirmed through official fellowship guidelines.