The University of Michigan Congenital Heart Surgery Fellowship

Program Description

The University of Michigan Congenital Heart Surgery Fellowship is under the direction of Dr. Richard G. Ohye, Section Head of the Division of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery. The field of congenital heart surgery has been recently recognized by the ACGME as a separate subspecialty. The University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center (MCHC) has a long history of training congenital heart surgeons, and was one of the first programs to receive approval by the ACGME.

The MCHC is one of the highest volume centers in the United States. As such we are uniquely positioned to train the next generation of congenital heart surgeons. At C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, we perform approximately 500-600 open-heart operations, 900 total cases, 10,000 echocardiograms and 600 heart catheterizations each year. This volume allows the trainee to typically perform between 200-250 cases per year as surgeon. These cases include a wide variety of complex congenital open cardiac repairs, including Norwood operations and arterial switch operations. We also have an active cardiac cardiopulmonary transplantation and assist device program, in which the Fellow will participate.

Our Pediatric Cardiology colleagues are also closely involved in the training of the Fellow. We have a dedicated pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care unit (PCTU), an active cardiac catheterization lab, including a progressive hybrid program, a specialized cardiac MRI group, and a busy echocardiography service. The Fellow spends structured time on each of these services, enhancing their knowledge and experience.

Qualifications

Completed a Thoracic Surgical Residency in an ACGME-approved program
Commitment to an academic career in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Ability to obtain a Michigan Medical License

Fellowship Training Activities

Management and operative planning for the pre-operative patient
Performing operations as primary surgeon under the supervision of a faculty surgeon, or assisting the faculty surgeon
Management of post-operative PCTU and general care floor patients
Participation in various didactic conferences and Death and Complications conference
Support for attendance at a national meeting
Expectation to perform a clinical research project leading to a regional or national presentation

Board certification eligibility upon fellowship completion: Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Length of fellowship: 1 year
Number of fellowships available: 1

For detailed program information please go to the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery website.