University of Kansas School of Medicine Program

The University of Kansas Adult Cardiothoracic Fellowship is a 12-month ACGME-accredited program aimed at training motivated physicians in advanced perioperative and periprocedural care in cardiovascular medicine and thoracic surgery. This program is designed to prepare fellows to deliver high-quality, compassionate care while promoting knowledge enhancement through research collaborations in their future healthcare practice.

As part of the continuing development of innovative therapy options, this fellowship has emerged from newly created specialized centers at The University of Kansas Health System, such as the heart valve center, heart failure center, and heart transplant program. The program boasts a faculty of nine fellowship-trained cardiothoracic anesthesiologists, dedicated to providing high-level clinical education.

Curriculum

The clinical education within the fellowship encompasses management in the operating room, various anesthetic locations, and intensive care units. Training involves administering anesthesia for a wide range of surgical procedures, including:

• Cardiac procedures
• Non-cardiac thoracic and intrathoracic vascular surgeries
• Heart transplantation
• Robotic-assisted surgeries
• Transcatheter structural heart interventions
• Cardiac rhythm device placement
• Management of adults with congenital cardiac disease
• Echocardiography
• Minimally invasive thoracic surgery
• Thoracic vascular interventions
• Mechanical circulatory support

Through rotations across various settings, fellows gain comprehensive exposure to the multifaceted aspects of cardiothoracic anesthesia, thereby ensuring diversified learning and skill acquisition.

Training Sites

Fellows conduct their clinical rotations primarily at The University of Kansas Health System, which functions as a premier academic medical center in the region. This setting affords fellows the opportunity to engage in complex cases that reflect current advancements in cardiothoracic care.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to engage in ongoing clinical research projects as well as to develop their own initiatives aimed at contributing to the field of cardiothoracic anesthesiology. Collaboration with faculty and other healthcare professionals supports an environment where research flourishes, enhancing career development and educational outcomes.

Application Process

Applications for this fellowship are accepted through San Francisco Match. The admissions process may require submission of certain documents, including a curriculum vitae, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Visa Support

The University of Kansas Adult Cardiothoracic Fellowship is open to international medical graduates and offers visa sponsorship options for eligible candidates, including J-1 and H-1B visa types.

Competitiveness and Diversity

While the program is competitive, it is deemed friendly towards both DO and IMG candidates. Consideration is given to candidates from various backgrounds, reflective of the program's commitment to diversity.

Special Application Requirements

There are specific requirements that potential candidates should be aware of when applying to the fellowship. This includes the necessity to have completed an ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency and to have a board eligibility or certification in anesthesiology.