Mass General Brigham Integrated Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship

Welcome from the Program Director

We appreciate your interest in the Mass General Brigham Fellowship in Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology!

Our fellowship program is built on a simple principle: to train exceptional perioperative physicians, bold thinkers, and future leaders in cardiothoracic anesthesiology through exposure to unparalleled clinical complexity, academic depth, and meaningful scholarly mentorship. By training with some of the nation’s leaders in cardiothoracic anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, our ACTA fellows benefit from the strengths of two distinct yet complementary programs within a unified curriculum.

Fellows graduate with extensive experience managing advanced cardiac surgical procedures, complex thoracic surgery, structural heart interventions, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiothoracic critical care. Equally importantly, they develop the clinical judgment, adaptability, communication, and leadership skills required to navigate high-stakes decisions in dynamic, multidisciplinary environments.

We are proud of the culture we have built: one grounded in clinical excellence, intellectual curiosity, mentorship and collaboration. We invite you to train with us and look forward to sharing our program with you.

Amit Bardia, MBBS, MPH
Program Director, MGB Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship
Mass General Brigham Department of Anesthesiology

Program Overview

The Mass General Brigham Fellowship in Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology is a 12-month, ACGME-accredited program designed to train anesthesiology fellows to excel as independent, highly skilled clinicians in high-acuity cardiothoracic environments. In addition to rigorous clinical training, fellows are immersed in research, scholarship, leadership development, and academic mentorship.

Fellows train in environments that span the full spectrum of cardiothoracic anesthesiology care, including:

• Complex open cardiac surgery (including MIDCAB surgery, double/triple valve surgeries, robotic cardiac surgery, endoscopic cardiac surgery, complex aortic surgery, adult congenital cardiac surgery, pulmonary thrombectomy, and more)
• Advanced structural heart interventions (including but not limited to TAVR, TEER, TMVR, TTVR)
• Mechanical circulatory support (ECMO, LVAD, RVAD, Impella)
• Heart and lung transplantation
• Pleurectomies, tracheal reconstruction, advanced thoracic lung resections, and more
• High-acuity cardiothoracic critical care

Across Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, fellows gain exposure to approximately 5,000 cardiothoracic surgical cases annually, in addition to high-volume thoracic transplant and mechanical circulatory support programs.

A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on progressive autonomy and clinical leadership. Fellows are mentored to move beyond technical proficiency to develop:

• Advanced clinical judgment in dynamic intraoperative environments
• Real-time decision-making informed by physiology and echocardiography
• High level communication with surgeons, perfusionists, and nurses in the OR suite
• Leadership skills spanning education, quality improvement, operations, and research.

Four Core Pillars of the Fellowship

1. High-Complexity Clinical Training
   Immersive exposure to diverse surgical practices across two major academic centers ensures breadth and depth of experience, including rare and high-acuity cases not routinely encountered in single-site programs.
2. Advanced Perioperative Imaging and Physiology
   Fellows develop expertise in 2D and 3D perioperative echocardiography and advanced hemodynamic management, functioning as intraoperative consultants who guide real-time surgical and anesthetic decision-making. In addition to intraoperative imaging, fellows have protected time to review prior studies with faculty experts in 2D and 3D echocardiography, reinforcing interpretation skills and clinical integration.
3. Structured Scholarship and Academic Development
   Through the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Research Program (ACARP), fellows receive protected research time, longitudinal mentorship, and infrastructure to support meaningful scholarly work, with a consistent proven record of national presentations, awards, and publication outcomes.
4. State-of-the-Art didactics
   The fellowship features a comprehensive, state-of-the-art didactic curriculum anchored by a weekly, protected 2-hour lecture series aligned with ACGME core content. Sessions are carefully curated to cover the full breadth of cardiothoracic anesthesiology and emphasize clinically relevant, high-yield topics. Teaching is delivered by nationally and internationally recognized experts, including anesthesiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, perfusionists, pulmonologists, and cardiologists. This multidisciplinary approach ensures fellows gain diverse perspectives and a deeper understanding of perioperative care across the entire cardiothoracic continuum.

Program Highlights at a Glance

• Integrated cardiothoracic anesthesiology training across MGH and BWH
• ≥2500 cardiac surgical cases annually
• ≥4000 thoracic surgical cases annually
• ≥ 350 TEE studies per fellow
• Dedicated exposure to ECMO and all other forms of mechanical circulatory support
• Adult congenital cardiac surgery exposure through the formal BWH-Boston Children’s Hospital collaboration
• Longitudinal protected research time through the ACARP research program
• Structured, protected didactics and multidisciplinary education
• Special skills programs: ICD/pacemaker programming course, spinal drain placement under real-time fluoroscopic guidance, SVC cannula placement for bypass amongst others.

Curriculum and Clinical Experience

Overall Educational Goals

The fellowship is designed to develop exceptional clinicians prepared for leadership roles in both academic and private practice cardiothoracic anesthesiology. Training is structured around all ACGME Core Competencies, including patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.

Fellows also participate in a daily, protected echocardiography review curriculum aligned with National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) standards.

Core Rotations

Cardiac Operating Room

The Cardiac Operating Room experience serves as the cornerstone of the fellowship, providing immersive exposure to high-acuity, complex cardiac care at both Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Fellows manage a broad spectrum of cases including coronary revascularization, advanced valve and aortic surgery, structural heart interventions, heart and lung transplantation, and procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, circulatory arrest, and mechanical circulatory support.

Training emphasizes progressive autonomy, with fellows evolving into intraoperative leaders responsible for case planning, real-time decision-making, and multidisciplinary coordination. By the completion of the rotation, fellows function as confident perioperative consultants, integrating advanced physiology, echocardiography, and hemodynamic management to guide surgical and anesthetic care.

Advanced Clinical Cardiac Imaging and Operations Rotation

This dedicated rotation develops fellows into experts in transesophageal echocardiography as a real-time diagnostic and perioperative decision-support tool. Fellows gain extensive experience in image acquisition, interpretation, and clinical integration, while working closely with faculty experts in advanced cardiac imaging. Through both hands-on experience and structured review, fellows refine their ability to translate echocardiographic findings into actionable intraoperative decisions and graduate prepared to function as independent echocardiography consultants.

Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

The Cardiothoracic ICU rotation provides high-intensity exposure to the postoperative management of complex cardiac and thoracic patients. Fellows develop expertise in advanced hemodynamic management, cardiogenic and vasoplegic shock, mechanical circulatory support, and multiorgan dysfunction within a multidisciplinary critical care environment. This rotation emphasizes leadership, longitudinal decision-making, and the ability to manage critically ill patients across the continuum of care.

Thoracic Anesthesia

The Thoracic Anesthesia rotation expands fellows’ expertise in the perioperative management of complex pulmonary and esophageal disease. Fellows gain proficiency in complex one-lung ventilation, advanced airway management, and intraoperative respiratory physiology while caring for patients undergoing a broad range of thoracic procedures. This experience strengthens fellows’ ability to manage challenging ventilation scenarios and complements the broader cardiothoracic anesthesiology training experience.

Electives:

Elective rotations allow fellows to individualize training based on their academic and professional interests.  Opportunities include research, advanced cardiac imaging for interventional procedures, electrophysiology, perfusion, among many other options. Fellows are encouraged to design individualized learning experiences within ACGME educational guidelines, with all core competencies reinforced throughout the elective

Didactics & Education

Our fellowship offers a comprehensive, fully protected educational curriculum designed to complement clinical training and accelerate the development of consultant-level expertise. Didactics are intentionally integrated with clinical experience and aligned with ACGME competencies, emphasizing real-world decision-making, patient safety, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Fellows participate in a diverse portfolio of longitudinal, case-based, and interactive learning experiences, with consistent exposure to faculty across anesthesiology, cardiology, cardiac surgery, and critical care.

Evaluation & Feedback

The fellowship employs a robust, high-frequency evaluation framework designed to support progressive autonomy and ensure readiness for independent practice. Feedback is embedded within daily clinical work through a structured online platform, where fellows and faculty complete evaluations following clinical encounters. This approach provides real-time, specific, and actionable feedback on clinical performance, decision-making, communication, and teaching.

A defining feature of the program is its bidirectional evaluation model, in which fellows also assess attending supervision, teaching effectiveness, and the overall learning environment. This structure promotes transparency, accountability, and a culture of continuous program improvement.

Fellows receive individualized mentorship advice through regular one-on-one meetings with faculty mentors and quarterly reviews with the Program Director.  These meetings integrate longitudinal performance trends, procedural experience, and career development goals. Additional feedback from residents and the multidisciplinary team provides a comprehensive, 360-degree assessment of each fellow’s growth as both a clinician and educator.

Progress is further reviewed by a Clinical Competency Committee, through structured, data-driven milestone assessments designed to milestone achievement and provide targeted guidance when needed.

By the completion of training, fellows demonstrate not only technical expertise, but also the confidence, clinical judgment, communication skills, and leadership required for independent practice in cardiothoracic anesthesiology.

What Makes Our Program Unique

Innovative and exceptional learning

• Porcine heart dissection
• Advanced pacemaker programming
• Fluoroscopic spinal drain placement

ACARP

• Protected research time in additional to structured mentorship

Expertise in MCS and Echocardiography

• High volume ECMO, VADs and Impella exposure
• Daily ECHO review in addition to intraoperative echogardiography

Integrated Training

• Two world renowned institutions under one umbrella

Complex Clinical Case Exposure

• Diverse cardio-thoracic surgical and cath. lab-based cases including over 150 heart/lung transplants

Our Alumni

Where Our Graduates Go

The Mass General Brigham Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship is committed to preparing fellows for successful and impactful careers as national leaders, educators, researchers, and innovators across a broad spectrum of practice settings.

Graduates of the program have pursued:

• Faculty leadership positions including chair positions at leading academic medical centers.
• Leadership roles within cardiothoracic anesthesia divisions and perioperative programs
• Senior positions in high-performing private practice groups
• Careers in medical education, curriculum development, and simulation
• Research pathways with sustained scholarly output and extramural funding
• Active participation and leadership in national and international professional societies
• Prominent roles within the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA), including service as President(s).

Alumni Testimonials

At this stage in training, you’ve already invested a lot of time into becoming good at what you do, so you start to notice whether a program is actually giving something back. I felt that here. Case by case, patient by patient, there was a clear sense of growth, and a lot of that came from how patient and generous the faculty were with their time and trust.
- Mike Yamakawa MD Class of 2025

The training was demanding in the best way: it pushed me to become more independent, more precise, and more comfortable managing uncertainty in high-stakes environments. Beyond the operating room, the fellowship strengthened my identity as an academic anesthesiologist through opportunities to teach, participate in scholarly work, engage in multidisciplinary care, and learn from leaders across cardiac surgery, cardiology, critical care, perfusion, and nursing. The fellowship not only prepared me for the next stage of my career, but also shaped the kind of physician, educator, and colleague I hope to be.
- Jay Saggu MD, DMD Class of 2025

One of the defining strengths of the training experience was the exceptional case complexity paired with progressive autonomy in the OR. The breadth of pathology—from advanced valve and aortic surgery to transplant and mechanical circulatory support—provided outstanding clinical exposure, while faculty struck an ideal balance between supervision and independence. Just as impactful was the opportunity to work alongside world-class anesthesiologists, surgeons, residents, nurses, and perfusionists in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment that fostered both clinical growth and camaraderie.
- Ryan Dodge III  MD, Class of 2023

My experience during my fellowship at MGH has been the single most transformative experience of my training as an anesthesiologist. Most importantly, the open and positive culture I encountered within the OR showed me the true value of great communication for patient outcome, and gifted me long-lasting friendships.
Most valuable assets for the training:

• Numerous complex surgery/echo exposure.
• Organized and frequent didactics.
• Presentation opportunities.
• Pacer and ICD programming.

- Pamela Benavidez MD, Class of 2024

From the specialized structural heart cases learning from the experts who work closely with our interventional colleagues from Watchman’s to Triclips, you truly gain a special skill set not available at many other institutions.
- Sarah Boden MD, PharmD - BWH ACTA Class of 2025

Wellness, Recreation, and Life in Boston

Fellow Wellness

The program is deeply committed to fostering a supportive, collegial, and sustainable training environment where fellows can thrive both professionally and personally. Recognizing the intensity of cardiothoracic training, the fellowship emphasizes wellness through structured support, meaningful mentorship, and practical resources that promote work-life balance and resilience.

Fellows benefit from a strong culture of connection and accessibility, including:

• Biannual wellness breakfasts with program leadership
• Mentor-sponsored dinners and informal gatherings
• Cab and rideshare vouchers following overnight call shifts
• Structured backup coverage during illness or emergencies
• Access to comprehensive Mass General Brigham wellness resources and counseling services

Protected educational time, approachable faculty, and a collaborative clinical environment further reinforce a culture where fellows feel supported, valued, and empowered throughout training.

Living in Boston

Boston is consistently ranked among the best cities in the country for quality of life, cultural vibrancy, and access to outdoor activities. As a fellow training in the heart of the city, you will enjoy:

• World-class dining, arts, music, and sports (Go Red Sox, Bruins, Revolution and Celtics!)
• Exceptional access to outdoor recreation — hiking, biking, skiing, boating, rock climbing, running, and more.  The ski mountains of New England and beaches of Cape Cod are all within reach
• A diverse, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating community
• Excellent public transportation connecting MGH (Beacon Hill area), BWH (Longwood Medical Area), and surrounding neighborhoods
• Competitive housing options — see the MGB GME Housing Resources page for guidance: Lease Guarantee Resources and Housing

Benefits, Salary, and Program Policy

Benefits

Fellows receive a comprehensive benefits package through Mass General Brigham, including:

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and disability insurance
• Professional liability (malpractice) coverage
• Reimbursement for board exams and conference registration fees
• Access to the MGB learning management system and ABA Anesthesia Toolbox
• Wellness and mental health support services
• Institutional library and research resources

Additional details regarding employee benefits and eligibility are available through the MGB GME Office.

Salary

Fellows are compensated at the PGY-5 level through the Mass General Brigham Graduate Medical Education Office. The starting salary for a PGY-5 in 2025 is $102,466. Salary scales are updated annually; please refer to FREIDA (the AMA fellowship and residency database) for the most current figures.

Policies & Contracts

All fellow policies, including trainee contracts, duty hour policies, leave policies, and moonlighting provisions, are governed by the Mass General Brigham Office of Graduate Medical Education. Click here (Resources for Current Trainees) to learn more about the governing policies. You may also email us to request more details.

How to Apply

Fellowship Application

The MGB Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship participates in the SF Match.

Our SF Match Program ID: SF Match ID PR04783

Applications are submitted through the SF Match Central Application Service (CAS).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy all Mass General Brigham GME institutional eligibility requirements.

Medical School Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Graduate of an LCME-accredited medical school, or
• Graduate of an AOA-accredited medical school, or
• Successful completion of applicable USMLE requirements for clinical trainees (see MGB USMLE completion policy)

Residency Training

Completion (or near-completion at time of application) of an ACGME-accredited anesthesiology residency

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit a complete application through the SF Match Central Application Service (CAS), including:

• Completed SF Match CAS Application
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Medical school transcript and medical diploma
• USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 (or COMLEX equivalent) transcripts
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (one from the residency Program Director or Chief of Service)
• ECFMG certificate (for international medical graduates, if applicable)

Visa Sponsorship

Mass General Brigham sponsors both H-1B and J-1 visas for eligible applicants. For questions regarding visa sponsorship, please contact the MGB Office for Global Professionals and Scholars at 857-282-8211, or visit the MGB International Resources page.

Meet the Team

Program Leadership

Amit Bardia, MBBS, MPH
Program Director, MGB Integrated Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship
abardia@mgb.org

Program Administration

Tina Toland, MHA
Fellowship Program Manager
ttoland@mgb.org