The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery has a clear commitment to education through training programs for medical students, residents, fellows, physician assistant providers and other health sciences students. 

The medical clerkship has routinely been one of the highest rated within the Carver College of Medicine and the Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency is a highly respected, nationally-renowned program at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement in cardiothoracic surgery

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Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency

Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTS) offers a six-year integrated cardiothoracic surgical training program. Medical students apply directly to an integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency program. The objective of this training program is to provide a more comprehensive and rational total immersion into the diagnosis and management of all aspects of cardiovascular and thoracic diseases through multi-disciplinary training.

This program includes rotations in the follow specialty areas:

  • Interventional radiology
  • Interventional cardiology
  • Endovascular surgery
  • Oncology
  • Pulmonary disease
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Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship

The ACGME-accredited Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship is a highly respected, nationally-renowned program at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement in cardiothoracic surgery. We educate two residents per year in a two-year clinical program, with rotations in Adult Cardiac Surgery, General Thoracic Surgery, and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. Through close supervision, the surgical staff provides teaching at each level with a well-organized program and continually increasing responsibility. Our trainees are appropriately prepared for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery qualifying exams and graduates of this program are equipped to enter a specialized fellowship, private practice, or continue in an academic career.

Training Opportunities:

We offer two 4-week training programs for students to enhance medical careers.

A four-week sub-internship in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is available to University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine medical students. Students will participate in the diagnosis, preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of thoracic and cardiac patients. Students may concentrate their interest in either cardiac or thoracic surgery.

Students will assume the responsibility of an intern and will be responsible for diagnosis and management of patients on an inpatient service under close supervision of upper level residents and cardiothoracic surgery faculty members. Students will also be expected to attend all scheduled conferences in the department.

Physician Assistant (PA) students interested in cardiothoracic surgery can elect to complete a four-week rotation through the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Since PAs share responsibility for patient management after graduation, it is most important for them to develop skills in: 

  • Collecting historical and physical data from patients
  • Organizing and presenting this data to the supervising physician
  • Performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are common in cardiothoracic surgery

This rotation is scheduled through the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

CME Questions?

Learn more about continuing medical education opportunities through our CME office.