Education and Training

The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery offers education and training programs that enable students and practicing physicians to continue their medical training. These offerings include residency and fellowship programs, continuing medical education courses and internal conferences that focus on cardiothoracic surgery and interface with different medical school departments.

Residencies and Fellowships

The Department maintains one of the most active surgical training programs in the nation.  The primary training programs are the ACGME-accredited Independent Fellowship Program and Integrated (I-6) Residency Program.   

CME Courses

The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences present several courses per year.

Teaching Conferences

There are several other teaching conferences devoted to the clinical education of the residents and fellows. Residents are excused from their clinical duties to attend.

Medical Students

Faculty members are committed to mentoring the next generation of academic surgeons and we welcome medical students with an interest in surgery and surgical research.

Visitors/Observers

The Department welcomes visitors/observers. International physicians, researchers, and students are considered for visiting experiences on an individual basis. 

Surgical Simulation Labs

Trainees particate in surgical simulation labs which are held at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation Education and Research (WISER) and the Pittsburgh CREATES robotic training lab.