Academic Program/Rotations

The non-accredited fellow is assigned exclusively to the cardiac surgical service at Hahnemann Hospital. The fellow is a member of the cardiac surgical team which consists of two ACGME-accredited trainees and a general surgery resident. Each member of the team plays an important role in the care of the patients. The patient-care duties and operative duties are shared by all members of the team, under the direction of the chief resident of the service.

Conferences

Conferences are held twice a week, and serve as a forum to discuss topics related to cardiothoracic surgery. Most of the conferences are presented by the residents and fellows, with the attendings present to guide the discussion and provide important input.

TEACHING CONFERENCE

Teaching conferences are held on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. and Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Each lecture focuses on an area in cardiothoracic surgery and they are usually given by the residents and fellows on the service. Topics rotate such that the entire curriculum is covered each year. Lectures are occasionally given by either the cardiac surgery faculty or attendings from other services on their areas of expertise.

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY

A morbidity and mortality conference is presented by the chief resident monthly in lieu of the regular teaching conference. This conference is used to discuss the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of complications seen in cardiothoracic surgery.

COMBINED CARDIOLOGY/CT SURGERY CONFERENCE

Monthly combined conferences are held with the Division of Cardiology. Conferences consist of case presentations followed by a brief discussion of pertinent clinical issues.

Evaluations

FELLOWSHIP EVALUATION SYSTEM

Each fellow is evaluated by members of the faculty twice yearly. The evaluations are reviewed with the fellow in a meeting with the Program Director.

ROTATION EVALUATION SYSTEM

Fellows evaluate each rotation anonymously. The information is reviewed by the Program Director, Chairman of the Department, and at the faculty meetings in order to make changes in the training program that enhance the learning experience.

IN-SERVICE EXAMINATION

Fellows may take the yearly in-service examination. Scores are reviewed with each fellow in order to identify areas of potential concern such that the educational program can be modified to maximize the learning potential.