University of California (San Francisco) Program

The UCSF Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program dedicated to providing comprehensive perioperative care for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The fellowship emphasizes a robust clinical experience through various esteemed training sites, aiming to equip fellows with the necessary skills for a diverse range of practice opportunities, whether in academic settings or private practice.

The primary clinical experience is based at UCSF Moffitt-Long Hospital, a leading academic tertiary referral center recognized for its extensive adult cardiac care services, which include routine cardiac surgeries, advanced minimally invasive and hybrid procedures, heart and lung transplantation, and complex thoracic and vascular procedures. The fellowship allows fellows to gain additional clinical exposure at Kaiser Hospital San Francisco, known for its high volume of routine cardiac surgeries, thereby enhancing the fellows' educational experience by offering a balanced exposure to both complex and routine cases 1.

Educational Philosophy and Opportunities

The program fosters a strong educational framework, wherein fellows partake in educational conferences that consist of didactic lectures, echo presentations, and journal clubs. In addition to performing intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, fellows will undertake a dedicated echocardiography rotation within the cardiology division. This well-structured approach prepares graduates to excel in the Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (Advanced PTEeXAM®) by the National Board of Echocardiography 1.

The curriculum includes unique elective rotations in areas such as pediatric cardiac anesthesia, mechanical circulatory support, and research. The fellows are encouraged to plan their own call schedules, which affords them the flexibility to tailor their clinical responsibilities according to personal interests or needs. Such autonomy, supported by a nurturing environment, allows fellows to creatively engage in designing individualized electives that align with their educational and career goals 1.

Clinical Experience Structure

The year-long fellowship program consists of diverse clinical rotations broken down as follows: 16 weeks of cardiac anesthesia at UCSF Moffitt-Long hospitals, 8 weeks at Kaiser Hospital San Francisco for cardiac anesthesia, 4 weeks of thoracic anesthesia, 4 weeks in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CT ICU), and 8 weeks dedicated to echocardiography. Additionally, there is a provision for 12 weeks covering elective rotations 1.

Commitment to Diversity and Patient Care

UCSF is committed to delivering exceptional patient care to the diverse population residing in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. The faculty in the cardiac anesthesia team reflects this diversity across various dimensions including gender, ethnicity, and life experiences. This commitment to diversity enriches the educational environment, ensuring that fellows learn and practice in an atmosphere that respects varied viewpoints and cultural backgrounds 1.

Application Process

To apply for the UCSF Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology fellowship, prospective fellows must participate in the computerized match through SF Match. The interview cycle occurs from January through April, with interviews conducted via remote video conferencing, allowing a broader range of applicants to engage easily. Important dates relevant to the application season are available through the SF Match Fellowship Match Calendar 1.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports international candidates by providing visa sponsorship for fellowship positions. Typically, the program sponsors J-1 and H-1B visa categories, enabling international medical graduates to pursue their training in cardiothoracic anesthesiology at UCSF while enriching the program's educational fabric with diverse perspectives 1.

Competitiveness and Special Requirements

The UCSF Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship is considered highly competitive. While the program encourages applications from all qualified candidates, it has specific application criteria that may include graduation year limits and restrictions on the number of failed examinations in the USMLE STEP series. Such requirements are generally assessed during the review of applications, fostering a rigorous selection process to ensure the caliber of fellows admitted to the program 1.