Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

Our curriculum is based on the ACGME milestones, supplemented by additional goals that are identified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. All of these objectives are based on the six core competencies required by the ACGME:

• Patient care and technical skills
• Medical knowledge
• Practice-based learning and improvement
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism
• System-based practice
  

An annual "Boot Camp" is held specifically for the incoming Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellows immediately prior to the start of their fellowship. The week-long training includes didactic sessions on a myriad of cardiothoracic surgical topics such as thoracic radiology, esophageal and lung cancer staging, coronary angiography, and echocardiography. Additionally, hands-on sessions are organized in several practical areas such as endobronchial ultrasound, aortic and venous cannulation, and cardiopulmonary bypass.

The curriculum includes both clinical teaching (in the operating room, on the wards, and in the outpatient clinic), and classroom teaching (lectures, small group discussions, and simulation). In addition, we allow trainees to engage in courses offered by industry, our professional societies, and other institutions when appropriate.

Readings are based on the Thoracic Surgery Curriculum (TSC).  This e-learning platform includes textbook and journal articles, case presentations, some videos and formative quiz questions for all trainees in the U.S. and Canada. All this content is organized into roughly 88 topics covering all the objectives in the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Our weekly teaching sessions’ reading assignments are based on the topics in the TSC and are available from any web browser.

The program complies fully with all ACGME requirements regarding duty hours. All call is home call, and we emphasize educational activities over service.

Resources

Fellows in the program will be provided with the following amenities:

• SESATS
• Laptop computer provided during the two years
• iPhone provided during the two years
• Statistical support within the department
  
• Database within the department
• Funded trip for presentation at any national meetings, including STS, in the second year of fellowship
  
• Funded trip to a national meeting, STS, in the second year
• Surgical loupes may be provided by program

View the rotation schedule for the Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program.

American Board of Thoracic Surgery requires a minimum number of cases for each fellow.  The information below compares these requirements to the average number of cases handled by MD Anderson fellows across the last 3 years.

Cardiac Track Fellows

• Valvular Heart Disease (Min = 50)
  • Average performed = 70
    
    
• Myocardial Revascularization (Min = 80)
  • Average performed = 107
    
    
• Aortic Procedures (Min = 10)
  • Average performed = 38
    
    
• Subtotal Adult Cardiac Experience (Min = 195)
  • Average performed = 311
     
• Lung Major Anatomic (Min = 30)
  • Average performed: 64
     
• Lung Major VATS/Robotic (Min = 5)
  • Average performed: 18
     
• Chest Wall and Diaphragm (Min = 3)
  • Average performed: 20
     
• Esophagectomy (Min = 10)
  • Average performed: 16
     
• Subtotal Adult General Thoracic (Min = 90)
  • Average performed: 182
    

Thoracic Track Fellows

• Lung Major Anatomic (Min = 50)
  • Average performed = 114
    
    
• Lung Major VATS/Robotic Anatomic (Min = 25)
  • Average performed = 39
    
    
• Chest Wall and Diaphragm (Min = 10)
  • Average performed = 33
    
    
• Mediastinum (Min = 10)
  • Average performed = 26
    
    
• Esophagectomy (Min = 20)
  • Average performed = 33
    
    
• Subtotal Adult General Thoracic (Min = 190)
  • Average performed = 335
     
• Valvular Heart Disease (Min 30)
  • Average performed: 53
     
• Myocardial Revascularization (Min = 35)
  • Average performed: 74
     
• Aortic Procedures (Min = 5)
  • Average performed: 31
     
• Subtotal Adult Cardiac Experience (Min = 90)
  • Average performed: 240

View a photo gallery of our current fellows.

General Thoracic Surgery Track 

Scott Atay, M.D.
2015-2017
Keck Hospital of University of Southern California

Eric Sceusi, M.D.
2014-2016
Piedmont Hospital

Jonathan Spicer, M.D.
2013-2015
McGill University

Rajeev Dhupar, M.D.
2012-2014
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian

Boris Sepesi, M.D.
2011-2013
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Jennifer Marks, M.D.
2010-2012
Health One The Medical Center of Aurora

Min P. Kim, M.D.
2008-2010
The Methodist Hospital

Ashish Patel, M.D.
2006-2008
Kaiser Oakland Medical Center

Sai Yendamuri, M.D.
2005-2007
Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Luis J. Herrera, M.D.
2004-2006
Orlando Health

Linda W. Martin, M.D.
2002-2004
University of Virginia Health System

Wayne Hofstetter, M.D.
2000-2002
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Eric M. Toloza, M.D., Ph.D.
1998-2000
Moffitt Cancer Center

Ara A. Vaporciyan, M.D.
1996-1998
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Stephen G. Swisher, M.D.
1994-1996
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Paul T. Morris, M.D.
1992-1994
Queen's Medical Center

All candidates must have completed a five-year ACGME accredited general surgery residency training program and be eligible for the American Board of Surgery. Successful candidates are selected through the National Resident Matching Program after applications are reviewed and virtual interviews are conducted in Houston.

• Apply through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP #1004460F0-General Thoracic, NRMP #1004460F1-Cardiovascular, AMA #460-48-13-121)
  
  
• Applications and required documents listed below must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)
  
  
• International graduates, contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). MD Anderson requires international medical graduates to meet requirements for an institutional permit as outlined by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and have the necessary documents for a J-1 visa.

Required documents

• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty members
• USMLE board scores
• American Board of Surgery in-training (ABSITE) exams (all years)
• Medical school transcript in its original language, as well as in English (copied and notarized, stating that it is a true copy of the original)
• ECFMG certificate (copied and notarized; approximately four to six weeks processing)

Completed applications must be submitted by January 8.

Applicants considered for the fellowship will be invited for an in-person interview, providing an opportunity to virtually visit the institution and meet with the thoracic surgery faculty and fellows/residents.

The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery department conducts two formal interview sessions each year on Saturdays. Each applicant will be interviewed by faculty members and will have an opportunity to chat with the current residents and learn about the various affiliated hospitals.

 TBD

The Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery 4 + 3 Training Program is a collaboration between MD Anderson and the UT-Houston Health Science Center. The program provides a balanced education in the treatment of cardiovascular, esophageal, pulmonary and other thoracic diseases. 

Dara Keener, Assoc Program Manager, can be reached by email @ dskeener@mdanderson.org or phone at 713-792-7664.

Interested individuals may inquire with Dr. Mara Antonoff at mbantonoff@mdanderson.org.  

What:

• Alternative, fast-track pathway to CT training (ACGME approved)
• Collaborative effort from UT MD Anderson Thoracic Surgery and
  UT Health McGovern Medical School General Surgery training program

Why:

• Training focus in area of subsequent specialization
• Early acceptance to CT training program before traditional match

Who:

• Positions available ONLY for current UT categorical general surgery residents

When:

• Apply in the summer 2 year prior to expected clinical PGY-4 year
• Interviews in the fall
• Accepted applicants will begin some CT training in PGY-4
  

More details for the Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery 4 + 3 Training Program
-    After Selection

• Trainees in the program will complete normal general surgery rotation during the 3rd year of clinical training
• Altered schedule for PGY-4 and PGY-5
              -    6 months of general surgery rotations + 6 months of CT-oriented
                     (cardiac, thoracic, vascular, foregut, etc) rotations each year
  

-    Rotations permissible for final 2 years are specified by the ABS and ABTS level allowing graduateds to sit for both
      General Surgery and Thoracic Surgery Boiards

-     A spot will be reserved for accepted 4/3 trainees within the MD Anderson Match (i.e. this position replaces our standard matched position) 

Complementary Clinical Research Fellowship
-    Allows trainees to participate in clinical or potentially translational research during their lab time, while simultaneously enrolled in Masters Program
-    Great option for those interested in the 4/3 track but not a requirement
-    We encourage early inquireds for the Research Fellowship;
       interviews are held in fall of PGY-2 year

Mara Antonoff, Program Director of Education; mbantonoff@mdanderson.org

Dara Keener, Assoc Program Manager; dskeener@mdanderson.org