The University of Chicago offers two Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship positions that are one year in length. The Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to have in-depth adult cardiac anesthesia training with a very strong emphasis on intraoperative use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
Each Fellow spends at least six months on adult clinical cardiothoracic rotations (operating room), one month on an adult clinical thoracic rotation (operating room), and one month in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. The primary responsibility during these rotations is to learn how to clinically manage complex cardiovascular and thoracic cases, supervise and help facilitate resident education, and gain a thorough understanding of intraoperative and postoperative TEE.
The University of Chicago does approximately 500 adult cardiac cases a year, including on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair/replacement, and insertion of ventricular assist devices. We also have a very active Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program, an active heart transplant program, and an active lung transplant program.
All Fellows spend an entire month outside the operating room with the Department of Cardiology intensely studying echocardiography. This is perhaps the most important echocardiography (transthoracic/transesophageal) experience the Fellows have. Furthermore, all of our clinical attendings (cardiac anesthesia) are either board certified by the National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) or have passed the Examination of Special Competence in Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (PTEeXAM) and are awaiting certification. Their expertise is invaluable not only to our Section but to our entire Department. In the past five years, all of our Fellows that have taken the PTEeXAM have passed.
The other three months allow for electives for the Fellows to pursue their own individual interests regarding cardiovascular anesthesia. Electives available include echocardiography, pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesia, perfusion, intensive care, and/or research. Many of our Fellows have participated in clinical research and have presented at several regional and national meetings.
We also offer a very strong didactic program. Included is a weekly Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellow Lecture, a weekly Cardiothoracic Surgery Conference, a weekly Department of Cardiology Echocardiography Conference, and a monthly Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellow Journal Club. Fellows are also encouraged to attend Departmental Lectures (Grand Rounds, etc.) that they would benefit from.
We are excited to offer what we feel is a robust program aimed at targeting not only what is paramount to becoming a successful cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, but also tailoring our program to best fit the individual interests of our Fellows. Our Fellows have a long history of success, both in the academic and private sectors, and we hope to continue in that tradition. Please contact us for application information or fax applications to 773-834-0063. We look forward to hearing from all applicants.
Two ACGME - accredited Fellowship positions will be offered per year.
Each Fellowship position is one year (12 months) in length.
The University of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Mark Chaney, M.D.
Director
