Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester) Program

The Thoracic Surgery Residency Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is a highly regarded three-year ACGME-accredited program designed to prepare trainees for American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification. The program aims to equip residents for independent practice in both cardiac surgery and general thoracic surgery. Mayo Clinic's cardiac and general thoracic surgery practice ranks among the largest in the Midwest and the United States, providing a high volume of complex chest surgery procedures using cutting-edge technology and innovations.

The program offers separate tracks for cardiac and general thoracic surgery, allowing residents to focus on their subspecialty interests. Both a Traditional Pathway (five years of General Surgery Residency and three years of Thoracic Surgery Residency) and an Internal 4+3 Pathway (four years of General Surgery Residency and three years of Thoracic Surgery Residency) are available for applicants.

Under the mentorship of experienced faculty members renowned in the field, residents at Mayo Clinic experience a preceptorship model of training with a focus on hands-on experience and exposure to a breadth of contemporary cardiac and general thoracic surgery. The program emphasizes the importance of research and provides opportunities for residents to engage in groundbreaking research activities that shape the future of the field.

The application process for Mayo Clinic's Thoracic Surgery Residency requires applicants to have successfully completed a board-approved program in general surgery. Three positions are competitively available each year, and the application deadline, typically on Jan. 31 of the preceding year, should be through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Qualified applicants are invited for in-person interviews between February and April.

The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of clinical, research, and didactic training, with a strong emphasis on the surgical treatment of general thoracic and cardiovascular diseases. Residents have the opportunity to operate on elective and emergency cases, conduct clinical research, attend conferences, and gain teaching experience.

The program at Mayo Clinic aims to nurture the next generation of cardiac and thoracic surgery leaders, offering a blend of patient care, education, and research excellence. Residents are supported by dedicated faculty advisers and are encouraged to take advantage of educational opportunities offered through visiting professors.

If you have a keen interest in cardiac and general thoracic surgery and are looking for a program that emphasizes hands-on training, exposure to high-complexity cases, and a strong research component, Mayo Clinic's Thoracic Surgery Residency in Rochester, Minnesota, may be an ideal choice to consider.