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Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship

Welcome to the UMMC cardiothoracic surgery fellowship program at UMMC and thank you for your interest. Our two-year training program is fully ACGME-accredited and approved for one fellow per year. See the application information for specific information about the application process.

The faculty currently includes three full-time adult cardiac surgeons, two general thoracic surgeons, two congenital heart surgeons and one cardiothoracic intensivist based at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The fellowship program is based at UMMC (including Children's of Mississippi) and G.V. "Sonny" VA Hospital (located adjacent to the Medical Center campus).

Our current fellows and recent graduates gain experience in myocardial revascularization (both on- and off-pump), heart valve surgery (including mitral valve repair), thoracic aortic surgery, arrhythmia surgery, surgery for heart failure, cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and congenital cardiac surgery. The general thoracic surgery experience includes all aspects of pulmonary, mediastinal, and esophageal surgery, including the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), robotic thoracic surgery, and endoscopy, including a wide array of stenting procedures. There is also ample opportunity to be involved in the outpatient care of the patients before and after operation. There is a monthly cardiothoracic team meeting for discussion of all aspects of patient care on the cardiothoracic service.

The program is organized into rotations in general thoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and congenital heart surgery at UMMC, VA Medical Center, and St. Dominic's Hospital. Clinical research opportunities are available to interested participants. We participate in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons national database for both quality improvement activities and clinical research.

Our didactic conference schedule includes:

• Joint Council on Thoracic Surgical Education clinical conferences (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
• Citywide cardiology conference (monthly)
• Morbidity and mortality conference (monthly)
• Pediatric cath conference (Fridays)
• General surgery grand rounds (weekly)
• Cardiology conferences (Wednesdays and Fridays)
• Thoracic Oncology Tumor Board (Tuesdays)

Fellows take the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association in-service examination each spring.

When space allows, entering fellows are sent to the STS Boot Camp in August.

Pierre de Delva, MD
Program Director
Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship

For more information

• Cathy Humphrey, Education Administrator