Program Overview

Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship

The University of Utah’s Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA) Fellowship offers advanced training in high-acuity cardiothoracic care. This one-year, ACGME-accredited program is designed for anesthesiologists who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency and are seeking deep clinical exposure and academic development in cardiac and thoracic anesthesia.

Program Overview

The University of Utah’s Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA) Fellowship offers robust exposure to high-complexity cases and advanced imaging. Fellows provide care in 800–1,000 cases annually at the University Hospital and Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, including:

• Heart and lung transplants
• Ventricular assist device (VAD) placement
• Total artificial heart
• Major aortic surgeries
• Valve-sparing and minimally invasive valve procedures
• Structural heart interventions (TAVR, MitraClip)
• ECMO and catheter-based procedures

Specialized Training & Academic Opportunities

In addition to high-volume clinical exposure, our fellowship offers advanced training opportunities in echocardiography and pediatric cardiac anesthesia—plus a well-structured rotation schedule that prepares fellows for independent practice.

Rotations

• Rotation | Duration
  • Cardiac Anesthesia | 6-7 months
  • Thoracic Anesthesia | 1 month
  • Cardiac Surgical ICU | 1 month
  • Echocardiography Lab | 1 month
  • Pediatric Care Elective | 1 month
  • Perfusion, EP, Cath Lab | 2 weeks each

Echocardiography

Fellows spend one month in the only anesthesia-directed, full-service echo lab in the U.S., gaining hands-on experience in:

• Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
• Outpatient transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
• Echocardiographic stress testing

Our faculty includes 12 ASE Level 3-trained echocardiographers.

Pediatric Cardiac Elective

In partnership with Primary Children’s Hospital, fellows have the option to complete a one-month pediatric cardiac anesthesia elective for additional exposure to congenital cardiac cases.

Dual Fellowship Track

For those interested in both ACTA and advanced echocardiographic training, we offer a dual fellowship track:

• Year 1: Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACGME-accredited)
• Year 2: Perioperative Echocardiography (non-ACGME)

Program Details

Quick Facts

• Program Length | 1 Year
• Start Date | July 1
• Accreditation | ACGME
• Positions Available | 2
• Application Window | SF Match Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Timetable
• Eligibility | Completion of ACGME Anesthesiology Residency

Application Timeline

• November 3, 2025 | Applicant Registration Opens
• March-April 2026 | Interviews
• June 4, 2026 @ 12PM | Match Deadline
• June 18, 2026 @ 12PM | Match Results

Leadership & Faculty

Leadership

• James Lee, MD, Cardiothoracic Fellowship Director
• Patrick Upchurch, MD, Cardiothoracic Associate Fellowship Director

Faculty

• Christian Guay, MD, MS
• Bryce Hill, MD, MPH
• Simon Martin, MD
• Candice Montzingo, MD
• Daniel Pulsipher, MD
• Andrew Scott, MD
• Warner Smith, MD

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide fellows with a comprehensive education in adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology, including clinical training, didactic lectures, and research opportunities. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is designed to prepare fellows for certification by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA).