NYU Grossman School of Medicine Program

The Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers a comprehensive one-year training program designed to prepare anesthesiologists for clinical excellence in both academic and private practice environments. This fellowship is particularly notable for its extensive exposure to a diverse array of adult and pediatric cardiothoracic surgical procedures. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is conducted within the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, which is a part of the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine.

Fellows experience hands-on training during various cardiothoracic surgical procedures, gaining insights from a large volume of clinical cases. Annually, NYU Langone’s Kimmel Pavilion, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue host an impressive number of procedures: over 1,250 adult heart surgeries involving cardiopulmonary bypass, 1,000 lung resections (both traditional and robotic-assisted), and 200 pediatric congenital cardiac operations, among others. Such exposure allows fellows to refine their skills in managing complex anesthesia requirements during intricate surgeries, including transcatheter procedures and heart-lung transplants 1.

One of the standout features of the fellowship is the one-to-one attending-to-fellow coverage model, fostering an environment conducive to robust mentorship and education. This approach not only enhances the individual learning experience but also emphasizes timely evaluations and constructive feedback, crucial for professional growth and skill acquisition.

Curriculum and Training

The training includes both clinical and didactic components. Clinical training encompasses extensive experience in pre-, intra-, and postoperative pain management, coupled with transesophageal echocardiography training. Fellows are well-versed in comprehensive preoperative evaluations, enabling them to formulate sophisticated anesthetic plans that address potential intraoperative challenges 1.

Specific clinical training involves anesthesiology for various procedures such as robotic-assisted surgeries, mechanical assist device placements, and advanced heart surgeries. The program stresses the importance of collaborative practice, allowing fellows to interact with cardiac surgeons, echocardiographers, and angiographers, enabling a holistic approach to patient care.

Didactic Education

Fellows participate in a structured didactic program that includes weekly cardiac conferences, covering a range of topics from preoperative assessments to postoperative management of complex cardiac patients. Additionally, fellows take part in an echocardiography-focused didactic series and journal discussions to bolster their clinical knowledge and review current literature 1.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the fellowship, with fellow participation in ongoing clinical research projects encouraged. The faculty provides mentorship to explore personal research interests, supporting fellow presentations at prominent national meetings such as those hosted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists 1.

Application Process and Competitiveness

The application process accepts five fellows annually, requiring applicants to have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency prior to starting the fellowship. Applications are submitted through the SF Match. Notably, candidates interested in combined fellowships in both cardiothoracic and critical care anesthesiology may receive special consideration 1.

In terms of competitiveness, the program is highly sought after due to its comprehensive training and clinical exposure, making it a prestigious option for physicians looking to specialize in cardiothoracic anesthesiology.

Visa Sponsorship

NYU Langone Health provides visa support for international applicants. While the program does not offer H-1B visa sponsorship, J-1 visa sponsorship is available through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for those qualifying under their guidelines 3.

Special Requirements

Applicants are typically expected to demonstrate academic excellence as evidenced by recent in-training examination scores. There may be additional prerequisites depending on specific circumstances, such as year of graduation and prior performance on STEP examinations. This maintains the program's standard of integrating only the best candidates into its highly rigorous training environment 2.