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Curriculum

Clinical Rotations

Adult Cardiac Surgery

The primary adult cardiac surgery experience is at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC). Our residents experience, and develop expertise in all aspects of cardiac surgery, including coronary revascularization, valvular heart disease, thoracic aortic disease and surgery for heart failure including heart transplantation, short-term and long-term mechanical circulatory support, and ECMO. There is a robust experience with off-pump coronary artery bypass and minimally-invasive cardiac surgery. Our residents rotate at two community cardiac centers, Mercy Jewish Hospital and the Christ Hospital. These sites provide exposure to a high-volume community cardiac surgery with faculty that are dedicated to resident education.  In addition, The Christ Hospital rotation provides a unique experience with a high volume of robotic cardiac procedures, including valve surgery and coronary revascularization. Additionally, residents gain experience with modern endovascular procedures including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and transcatheter mitral valve procedures.

General Thoracic Surgery

During the thoracic surgery rotation, residents are trained in all aspects of general thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology, including benign and malignant lung and esophageal diseases, airway diseases and mediastinal tumors. The general thoracic rotation has a focus on advanced minimally invasive techniques such as thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy for lung cancer, minimally-invasive esophagectomy, and robotic thoracic procedures. Residents are also trained in advanced airway and esophageal endoscopic procedures such as laser interventions, stent placement and management, and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS).

Congenital Heart Surgery

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) is a world leader in the management of congenital heart disease. Residents rotate on the congenital cardiac surgery service at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where they are an integral part of the team during preoperative planning, intraoperative surgical management and postoperative care of neonates, infants, children, teenagers and adults across the entire spectrum of congenital heart disease.  There are cutting edge programs for end-stage heart and lung failure, including heart and lung transplant programs and mechanical circulatory support programs. In partnership with the solid organ transplant program, heart/liver and heart/kidney transplants are performed in patients with extrathoracic multiorgan failure.

In collaboration with the Aerodigestive Center at Cincinnati Children’s, the division has the world’s most extensive experience with complex tracheal reconstruction in infants and children. Cincinnati Children’s consistently ranks among the top in the nation for cardiology and heart surgery as measured by U.S. News & World Report.

Rotation Schedule

PGY 1

General Thoracic Surgery UCMC 2 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery UCMC 1 month
General Surgery UCMC, VA, The Christ Hospital 4 months
Vascular Surgery UCMC 1 month
Surgical Oncology UCMC 1 month
Transplant Surgery UCMC 1 month
Surgical ICU UCMC 1 month
Pediatric Surgery Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 1 month
*vacation 2 2-week blocks   

PGY 2

General Thoracic Surgery UCMC 2 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery UCMC 2 months
General Surgery UCMC, VA, The Christ Hospital,
UC West Chester Hospital
5 months
Trauma Surgery UCMC 1 month
Cardiovascular Surgical ICU UCMC 1 month
Echocardiology & Interventional Cardiology UCMC 1 month
*vacation 2 2-week blocks   

PGY 3

General Thoracic Surgery UCMC 2 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery UCMC 1 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery The Christ Hospital 2 months
Vascular Surgery Christ Hospital 1 month
General Surgery UCMC, The Christ Hospital 4 months
Pediatric Surgery Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 1 month
Interventional pulmonary UCMC 1 month
*vacation 4 weeks (1-2 week blocks)   

PGY 4

General Thoracic Surgery UCMC 4 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery UCMC 4 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery The Christ Hospital 2 months
Congenital Cardiac Surgery Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 2 months
*vacation 4 1-week blocks   

PGY 5

General Thoracic Surgery UCMC 3 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery UCMC 4 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery Mercy Jewish Hospital 3 months
Congenital Cardiac Surgery Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 2 months
*vacation 4 1-week blocks   

PGY 6

General Thoracic Surgery UCMC 4 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery UCMC 3 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery Mercy Jewish Hospital 3 months
Adult Cardiac Surgery The Christ Hospital 2 months
*vacation 4 1-week blocks   

Robert M. Van Haren, MD MSPH
Thoracic Surgery Residency Director

Tonya Esterkamp
Thoracic Surgery Residency Coordinator
Phone: 513-584-1387
Email: esterktg@ucmail.uc.edu

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Department of
Surgery

University of Cincinnati
College of Medicine
231 Albert Sabin Way
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0558

Mail Location: 0558
Phone: 513-558-4748