Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts General Hospital Program

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital is a prestigious 12-month training program designed to equip individuals with advanced skills in the anesthetic care of cardiothoracic patients. This fellowship stands out for its comprehensive curriculum, extensive clinical experience, and strong focus on leadership and research.

Program Overview

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship is one of the pioneering programs in the country to achieve Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) certification. The program accepts six fellows annually, immersing them in intensive training aimed at developing future leaders in cardiothoracic anesthesia. The fellowship training includes a harmonious blend of didactic education and clinical responsibilities, supported by world-class faculty.

The program emphasizes progressive responsibility and independence, preparing fellows to practice at the highest level of competency in diverse clinical settings. Fellows are actively involved in patient care, engaging with complex cases daily and participating in intraoperative management.

Curriculum

The fellowship’s curriculum is robust, focusing on both clinical and theoretical components critical to cardiothoracic anesthesia. Regular didactic sessions include:

• Anesthesia Grand Rounds
• Cardiac Anesthesia Lecture Series
• Interdisciplinary Cardiac Morbidity and Mortality Conferences
• Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Lecture Series
• Echo Boards Review

This extensive didactic engagement is complemented by dedicated clinical training in state-of-the-art operating rooms, where fellows handle a wide array of intricate surgical procedures. These procedures include, but are not limited to:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting
• Heart and lung transplants
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Management of congenital heart defects
• Emergency and elective thoracic/VATS procedures

Clinical Experience

The clinical setting at Mass General is unparalleled, offering fellows the unique opportunity to manage the operative care for patients undergoing complex cardiothoracic surgeries. With a high volume of cases and diverse clinical scenarios, fellows swiftly gain proficiency in intraoperative echocardiography, surgical management, and postoperative care.

Leadership Opportunities

The fellowship fosters leadership development through various initiatives. Fellows are encouraged to participate in departmental quality improvement projects and contribute to educational activities for residents. Key leadership skills are nurtured in a supportive environment, ensuring fellows emerge as experts equipped to lead in academic, clinical, or research settings.

Research Avenues

Research plays a vital role in the fellowship, with faculty engaged in cutting-edge projects. Fellows are encouraged to contribute to ongoing investigations in areas such as postoperative delirium, infection prevention, and cardiac anesthesia quality improvement metrics. The involvement in research projects not only aids in professional development but also facilitates publication opportunities in leading journals and presentations at major conferences.

Application Process

The selection process for the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship is competitive, requiring applicants to have completed an ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency. Candidates must also possess an unrestricted medical license in the United States and will ideally hold an Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate if they graduated from a non-accredited medical school. The program supports J-1 and H-1B visa applications for qualifying international candidates.

Furthermore, the program emphasizes a holistic evaluation process, assessing not only clinical competencies and academic achievements but also interpersonal and leadership potentials during the application review.

Summary

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital is a prestigious program offering unique opportunities for training in one of the most demanding fields of medicine. The combination of extensive clinical experience, comprehensive educational exposure, and the fostering of leadership skills positions fellows for successful careers in academia or clinical practice.