Cardiothoracic Surgery

Pathway Director

Drexel Fourth Year Discipline Based Pathway System

• Pathways Overview
• Cardiothoracic Surgery Pathway Overview (Student Handbook)

Pathway Director's Advice On Commonly Asked Questions

Go to the Drexel Careers Development Center for information on residency planning, match results, FREIDA (lists of residency training programs across the country) and more.

Drexel and Clinical Site Residency Programs

• Allegheny General Hospital

Drexel Medical Student Interest Group

N/A

Specialty Description

A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative care, and critical care of patients with acquired and congenital pathologic conditions within the chest. Included are the surgical repair of heart lesions, and congenital and acquired conditions of the heart, including the pericardium, coronary arteries, valves, and myocardium. It also includes pathologic conditions of the lung, esophagus, and chest wall, abnormalities of the great vessels, tumors of the mediastinum, and diseases of the diaphragm and pericardium. Management of the airway and injuries of the chest are within the scope of the specialty. (Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.)

Time Requirement

See ACGME for current requirements: http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/home/home.asp
Residency training in thoracic surgery is six to eight years.

National Organizations

The national specialty organizations can provide medical students with excellent resources as well as updates on current activities within the field, conferences, and on-going research opportunities and research funding.

• American Association for Thoracic Surgery
• American Board of Thoracic Surgery
• American College of Chest Physicians
• Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Subspecialties

• Congenital Cardiac Surgery

Residency Application and Match Info*

*The number of applications and programs ranked will vary based on many factors.  Students should seek advice from their Pathway Advisor and/or the Career Development Center in conjunction with the data above.
**Data drawn from 2008 United States Graduates (USG) ERAS Statistics for Residency Specialties. 17Jun2009.
***National Resident Matching Program Characteristics of Matched Seniors, 2006-2008. 17Jun2009.

AAMC - Careers in Medicine

General Information: http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/pub_thoracicsurg.htm
(Log in for more helpful data to include: Personal Characteristics / Match data / Residency Requirements / Workforce Statistics / Compensation)

Specialty Specific Opportunities

For external research, volunteering, educational, and other opportunities check the Career Development Center's pages on Research and Community, Educational, and Externship Opportunities. Most of these opportunities are summer programs however some are available throughout the year.