Residency/Fellowship Programs

The cardiothoracic surgery educational program includes two-year and six-year residencies, advanced fellowships, and extends itself to medical school students, both from the University of Pittsburgh as well as outside national and international medical schools who request to rotate on the cardiac, thoracic and pediatric surgery services.

Over the past 10 years, there have been 2-3 medical students per year on service. Faculty, fellows and residents participate in their training and educational experience through didactics, clinical instruction and as mentors.

Residencies

  • Two-Year Cardiothoracic Surgery Independent Fellowship Program - The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center two-year cardiothoracic surgery residency program is for those who have successfully completed an accredited general surgery residency.

  • Integrated Six-Year Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program - For those just out of medical school interested in training with one of the nation’s premier cardiothoracic surgery residency programs, the University of Pittsburgh School Medical Center offers a six-year integrated program.

  • General Surgery Residency Program - The University of Pittsburgh/UPMC Department of Surgery is one of the leading surgical programs in the country, offering innovative surgical procedures, state-of-the-art technology, and high-quality patient care. Our surgeons pioneer and refine surgical procedures to provide leading-edge, compassionate care to patients who require surgical services in a wide range of specialties.

Fellowships

Several Fellowship Programs provide state-of-the-art patient care and professional education for a broad spectrum of cardiothoracic diseases. These fellowships include:

  • Thoracic Surgery Fellowship - Provides experiential instruction in minimally invasive surgical techniques of the esophagus, lung, and mediastinum. Four fellows per year can participate in the program.

  • Advanced Adult Cardiac Surgery Fellowship - Instructs and trains fellows in the necessary specialized surgical skills required for treating patients with cardiovascular system diseases. The program accepts one to three fellows each year.

  • Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship - Offers an investigational year in ventricular mechanical support and a clinical year with extensive exposure in managing congenital heart lesions, cardiopulmonary transplantation, and assist devices. In addition, fellows receive instruction in the pre- and postoperative care of children with acquired diseases of the heart and major thoracic vessels.

  • Cardiothoracic Transplant Fellowship - Includes extensive, hands-on exposure in the disciplines of lung transplantation, heart transplantation, and mechanical cardiac assist devices. Fellows also receive instruction and training in surgical therapy of end-stage heart failure. The program accepts three to four fellows per year.

Hospital Locations

Clinical sites offer a unique, multi-institutional experience with large scale academic centers and community practices.

  • UPMC Presbyterian: In the heart of Oakland, is an adult medical-surgical referral hospital and a site of ongoing research and graduate programs. 

  • UPMC Shadyside: Located in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Shadyside, is a tertiary-care hospital.

  • Veteran's Affairs Pittsburgh Health System (VAPHS): Located in Oakland, provides primary care and specialty health services.

  • UPMC Passavant: Located in Pittsburgh's North Hills, is a tertiary care center. 

  • UPMC Mercy: In uptown Pittsburgh, offers a broad range of services and provides compassionate care in the Catholic tradition.

  • UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh: Located in Lawrenceville, provides infants, children, and young adults with compassionate, family-centered care.

  • UPMC Hamot: Located in Erie, PA, serves as a regional referral hub and Level II Trauma Center for northwestern Pennsylvania and portions of eastern Ohio and western New York.

​Residency Program Directors