Advanced Training In Cardiothoracic Surgery

Applicants for our ACGME-accredited advanced training program in cardiothoracic surgery are selected through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). This program provides three continuous years of clinical training in cardiothoracic surgery, with one new resident starting each year. Residents rotate on adult cardiac surgery at the University Hospital and the Good Samaritan Hospital, on general thoracic surgery at the University Hospital, and on pediatric cardiac surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

University of Cincinnati Surgery: Cardiothoracic

Adult Cardiac Surgery

Residents rotate on the adult cardiac surgery service at both the University Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital.  They gain expertise in all aspects of cardiac surgery, including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, thoracic aortic disease and heart failure.  The residents also gain unique experience with robotic cardiac surgery, especially mitral valve surgery.  Starting this year, we will introduce a rotation in endovascular surgery.  Residents will spend a dedicated rotation with the Division of Vascular Surgery faculty who are leading experts in endovascular techniques.

General Thoracic Surgery

During the thoracic surgery rotation, residents are trained in all aspects of thoracic oncology, including benign and malignant lung diseases, esophageal diseases, airway diseases, and mediastinal tumors.  They also have the unique experiences of being trained in thoracoscopic lobectomies for lung cancer and in minimally-invasive esophagectomies.  

Congenital Heart Surgery

Residents rotate on the congenital cardiac surgery service at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  During this rotation, they are exposed to the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care of children with congenital cardiac disease, including cardiac transplantation. 

Education

The thoracic residency has a structured educational program.  A weekly cardiothoracic teaching conference covers all topics included in the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association core curriculum.  In addition, we have a monthly journal club and morbidity and mortality conference.  The residents also attend a weekly review of the Self-Education Self-Assessment in Thoracic Surgery (SESATS).  During these sessions, residents review questions covering all areas of cardiothoracic surgery with faculty members.  Thoracic residents also participate in a number of animal and cadaver laboratories throughout the year.  We have simulation lab sessions for open and thoracoscopic lobectomy and repair of valvular diseases.

Residents are required to take the annual in-training examination provided by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.  They also are given a mock oral examination by the cardiothoracic faculty to assist in preparation for the American Board or Thoracic Surgery Certification examination. 

Current Cardiothoracic Residents

Julian Guitron, MD

MD - National Autonomous University of Mexico

General Surgery Residency - Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia

Dana A. Booth, MD

MD - Medical College of Wisconsin

General Surgery Residency - Indiana University Medical Center

 

Program Administration

John B. Flege, Jr., M.D., Program Director
Sandra L. Starnes, MD, Associate Program Director

Jay Asplan, MA, Program Coordinator
Department of Surgery
Division of Thoracic Surgery
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way (ML0558)
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0558
513-584-1387
jay.asplan@uc.edu