The Traditional (Independent) Thoracic Surgery Residency

Our Thoracic Surgery residency program director is Dr. John Kern, and the associate directors are Dr. Curt Tribble and Dr. Linda Martin. The residency program at the University of Virginia consists of two continuous years of clinical training in adult cardiac, general thoracic, and pediatric cardiac surgery. All of the cardiothoracic surgical training is based at the University of Virginia Medical Center. At the completion of this clinical training, residents are eligible for certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. All UVA Thoracic Surgery residents have passed their ABTS examinations and are board-certified.

The residency program spans the continuum of care from pre-operative assessment, planning and executing cardiothoracic surgical operations, providing critical care, supervising post-operative recovery, and participating in post surgical discharge follow up. Residents are exposed to a multitude of new and innovative treatments such as minimally-invasive adult cardiac surgery, off-pump coronary cases, VATS lobectomies and segmentectomies, advanced laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, aortic stent grafts, ventricular assist devices, and percutaneous valve implantations.

The primary goal of our program is to produce cardiothoracic surgeons who are competitive for both premier academic and private practice jobs at the completion of their training. Our residents are exposed to a high volume of complex cases which ensures a stellar operative and clinical experience. Given the high volume of clinical work there is no time for any laboratory research, although clinical projects, papers, and presentations are strongly encouraged and supported.