Program Overview

Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program

The Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency program at the University of Utah is designed to provide a comprehensive education in cardiothoracic surgery. The program aims to produce outstanding cardiothoracic surgeons by combining an intensive experience in cardiac and thoracic surgery with carefully selected experiences in general surgery and related disciplines.

Program Description

The first three years of the curriculum are designed to provide a broad training with a graduated level of responsibility and patient complexity. The program includes clinical rotations in Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Foregut and Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Cardio-Vascular Intensive Care, and Cardiac Anesthesia.

Program Structure

The program has a structured path from foundational surgical training to advanced cardiac and thoracic procedures. Early years focus on core surgical skills, clinical rotations, and critical care, while a dedicated academic enrichment period offers research and advanced degree opportunities. Senior residents take on leadership roles, performing complex heart, lung, and vascular surgeries.

PGY Structure

• PGY-1: The resident is expected to learn and practice the basic concepts of preoperative and postoperative care, learn to identify and care for critically ill patients, and develop competence in basic surgical skills.
• PGY-2: In the second year, the resident is expected to gain increased responsibility in preoperative and postoperative care, especially in diagnostic work-up and developing treatment plans.
• PGY-3: In the third year, the resident will begin to function at a more senior level, with continued responsibility in preoperative and postoperative care, and increasing responsibility in the operative setting.
• Professional Development/Academic Enrichment (2 years): After the first three clinical years, the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident will do 2 Professional Development/Personal Academic Enrichment years. The academic enrichment experience is designed to provide residents with a great deal of flexibility to pursue scholarly academic experience.
• PGY-4: The resident continues to gain experience with open and minimally invasive thoracic and esophageal disease, and more complex open and endovascular surgery.
• PGY-5: In the fifth clinical year, the resident will function at the senior level, with continued levels of increasing operative expectations.
• PGY-6: In the sixth year, the resident will function as the chief resident on adult cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery.

Salary, Benefits, and Expenses

• Vacation/Meeting Time Off: Three weeks of vacation per year, meeting time provided on an individual basis in the first year for TSDA Boot Camp or equivalent, meeting time provided to attend a major conference such as STS or AATS in the second year, and meeting time provided for research presentations at conferences.
• Meetings and Conferences: The program includes various meetings and conferences, such as the Lung Transplant Selection Meeting, Aortic Conference, and Thoracic Treatment Planning Conference.

Application Information

• Eligibility Requirements: An applicant must meet one of the following qualifications to be eligible for appointment to an ACGME-accredited program.
• Application Requirements: Submit your application through the universal application ERAS System, personal statement, letters of recommendation, medical student performance evaluation, medical school transcript, ECFMG status report, photograph, and USMLE and/or COMLEX-USA transcripts.
• Application Process: The Universal Thoracic Application is available on the NRMP website.

Program Faculty

• Program Director: Sara Pereira, MD
• Associate Program Director: Douglas Smego, MD
• Administration Manager: Elise Collins

Facilities

• University of Utah Hospital
• Huntsman Cancer Hospital
• Salt Lake City VA Medical Center
• Primary Children's Hospital
• Intermountain Medical Center

Related Links

• Graduate Medical Education
• National Residency Matching Program
• Surgery Department
• School of Medicine