Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency
This two-year training program in cardiothoracic surgery is fully approved for one resident per year. The faculty includes four full-time cardiothoracic surgeons based at the University Medical Center. The residency is based at the University Medical Center (including the Batson Hospital for Children) and the Jackson VA Hospital (located adjacent to the Medical Center campus). Residents gain experience in myocardial revascularization (both on- and off-pump), transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR), heart valve surgery (including mitral valve repair), thoracic aortic surgery cardiac transplantation, arrhythmia surgery, surgery for heart failure, and complex congenital cardiac surgery. The general thoracic surgery experience includes all aspects of pulmonary, mediastinal, and esophageal surgery, including the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and endoscopy. There is also ample opportunity to be involved in the outpatient care of the patients before and after operation.
The residency is organized into rotations in general thoracic surgery (at the University Medical Center and the VA Medical Center) and cardiac surgery (at the University Medical Center). Clinical and basic research opportunities are available to the interested residents in cardiothoracic surgery. We participate in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) national database for both quality improvement activities and for clinical research. There is a monthly clinical research meeting for discussion of potential and ongoing projects.
Conferences include: Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinical Conference (each Monday), Citywide Cardiology Conference (monthly), Morbidity and Mortality Conference (monthly), Journal Club (monthly), Pediatric Cath Conference (each Friday), SESATS review/board preparation (monthly), and General Surgery Grand Rounds (weekly). Residents take the American Board of Thoracic Surgery In-Service examination each spring.
Giorgio M. Aru, M.D., Program Director, Residency Program in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Jackson VA Medical Center, Surgical Director of the Heart Transplant Program
Lawrence L. Creswell, M.D., Associate Professor
Walter Merrill, M.D., Professor and Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice-chair of the Department of Surgery for Surgical Education
Curt Tribble, M.D., Professor