University of California Davis Health Program

The Thoracic Surgery Training Program at the University of California Davis Health is known for its long history of training academic surgeons, specifically in Cardiothoracic Surgery. The program offers a comprehensive education curriculum and emphasizes resident research initiatives to transform patient care. UC Davis Health is consistently ranked among the nation's best programs in cardiology and heart surgery, as well as pulmonology and lung surgery.

The program offers two training pathways for American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) eligibility: an Independent 2-year Pathway and an Integrated 6-year Pathway. Currently, they are only matching by Independent Pathway. The Integrated 6-year Pathway involves a comprehensive six-year training program. Eligible applicants must be graduates of medical schools in the US and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), or graduates of US accredited colleges of osteopathic medicine.

Residents in the program gain hands-on experience in general thoracic surgery, adult cardiac surgery, and pediatric cardiac surgery, participating in over 900 major cardiothoracic surgeries annually. The curriculum includes outpatient instruction, pre-operative assessment, perioperative care, and post-operative care, offering exposure to traditional, minimally invasive, and endovascular procedures. The program also encourages residents to engage in clinical research projects.

There are specific application requirements for residents interested in the program, including submitting the NRMP Thoracic Surgery application form, a curriculum vitae, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, USMLE Scores, and ABSITE Scores if applicable. The Thoracic Surgery Residency Programs at UC Davis participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at UC Davis Health is known for its advanced cardiac robotic surgery offerings, providing minimally invasive procedures for various cardiovascular and thoracic conditions. The program's state-of-the-art robotic-assisted procedures aim to offer benefits such as less pain, reduced blood loss, fewer risks of infection, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times.

Overall, the UC Davis Health Thoracic Surgery Training Program focuses on providing exceptional training, mentorship, and research opportunities to equip residents with the skills and knowledge to become well-prepared cardiothoracic surgeons in both academic and private practice settings.