Pathway to cardiothoracic surgery: A primer for aspiring studentsCentral MessagePerspective
Adham Ahmed, BS,
John A. Treffalls, BS,
Cameron Best, MD,
Gianna J. Dafflisio, BS,
Samantha Xu, MPH,
Lena E. Trager, MD,
Sarin N. Paluri, BS,
Andrew Jones, BA,
George Olverson, IV, BS,
Aakash M. Shah, MD,
Austin L. Hingtgen, BA,
Samantha Colon, BS,
Jason J. Han, MD,
David Blitzer, MD,
Rohun Bhagat, MD,
Sara J. Pereira, MD,
Irbaz Hameed, MD
Affiliations
Adham Ahmed, BS
City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY
John A. Treffalls, BS
Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Tex
Cameron Best, MD
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
Gianna J. Dafflisio, BS
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pa
Samantha Xu, MPH
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
Lena E. Trager, MD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
Sarin N. Paluri, BS
Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Chicago, Ill
Andrew Jones, BA
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
George Olverson, IV, BS
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
Aakash M. Shah, MD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Tex
Austin L. Hingtgen, BA
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minn
Samantha Colon, BS
City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY
Jason J. Han, MD
Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa
David Blitzer, MD
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY
Rohun Bhagat, MD
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
Sara J. Pereira, MD
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
Irbaz Hameed, MD
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn; Address for reprints: Irbaz Hameed, MD, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, 20 York St, New Haven, CT 06511.
Objective: The pathway to cardiothoracic surgery is often obscure for premedical students and aspiring applicants and requires navigating various known and unknown obstacles. Recognizing the challenges encountered on the path to a career in cardiothoracic surgery in the United States, we present this guide for students interested in the field to maximize success in their premedical, preclinical, and preresidency years. Methods: This is a joint collaboration between the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association and the Thoracic Surgery Medical Student Association. Drawing from firsthand experiences and insights gathered from numerous student applicants and current surgical residents, a comprehensive guide was constructed for students from the point of undergraduate school to advanced training options, including super-fellowship training. Results: Several intricacies to cardiothoracic surgery career planning were discussed, including differences between traditional and integrated/fast-track pathways, college and medical school selection, networking, performing during clinical rotations, extracurricular and research activities, building mentorship relationships, and pursuing alternate career and advanced training opportunities. Conclusions: For premedical students and aspiring applicants, the road to cardiothoracic surgery requires meticulous planning, grit, and thoughtful dedication. This document consolidates firsthand insights and advice from numerous aspiring and matched applicants to serve as a comprehensive guide for students seeking a career in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.
