Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia

The Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College offers two ACGME accredited Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship position(s) starting in July of each year. During fellowship training the fellow will develop confidence in the anesthetic management of adults for cardiothoracic surgery and patients with significant cardiovascular and systemic comorbidity. We expect they will develop comfort in the preoperative evaluation and postoperative intensive care of these patients, become facile with intraoperative TEE for diagnosis and management of cardiac surgery, to plan and execute scholarly projects with ease, and hone their skills in the provision of compassionate care for their patients.

Our Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship focuses on the multidisciplinary approach with close ties to Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, and Critical Care. Inpatient services are provided at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Center City Campus. The Department of Anesthesiology annually provides services for 650 cardiac procedures, 300 thoracic procedures, and 150 major vascular procedures. Case mix includes a wide variety of cardiac, structural heart, thoracic, and major vascular surgery.

Fellows will demonstrate knowledge of how cardiothoracic diseases affect the administration of anesthesia and critical care services to adult cardiothoracic patients.  Fellows will be able to competently perform all medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures considered essential for perioperative care of cardiothoracic patients.  Fellows are expected to develop skills and habits to be able to systematically analyze practice using quality improvement methods and implement changes with the goal of practice improvement.  Fellows will demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.  Fellows will demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.  Fellows will demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to effectively integrate other resources in the health system to provide optimal health care.

Fellows complete thirteen 4-week rotations across the cardiovascular service line with emphasis on the perioperative management of cardiovascular disease. In addition to nine dedicated rotations in the cardiac operating rooms, optional electives include: Cardiac Cath Lab, Transthoracic Echo, Transfusion Medicine, Critical Care, Perfusion, Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology, Heart Failure Medicine and Research.

Didactic program includes weekly lectures on advanced topics in Cardiovascular Anesthesiology, Combined Cardiovascular Service Line Case Conference, Anesthesiology Grand Rounds and Cardiac Surgery Morbidity and Mortality Conference. Fellows are provided funding and support to attend National and International meetings.

The Division of Cardiac Anesthesiology currently participates in both funded and unfunded investigator-initiated research.  Opportunities for internal grant funding exist.  Fellows are expected to participate in 2 scholarly activity projects and 1 quality improvement initiative.  Fellows are provided funding and support to attend National and International meetings.