MGH Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program
Apply Today
Call: 617-726-2107
Email: jmanu@mgb.org
Overview
The goal of the Cardiothoracic Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital is to prepare our trainees for independent practice in cardiothoracic surgery at the completion of the program, without the need for additional postgraduate fellowship training. Separate cardiac and thoracic tracks have been established within the program to allow for subspecialty emphasis in contemporary aspects of the field. Both conventional and 4+3 pathways are available.
Mass General has a long tradition of excellence in cardiothoracic surgery. Some highlights include:
- 11 graduates have served as presidents of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and eight have been presidents of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
- Edward D. Churchill and W. Gerald Austen led the Department of Surgery for 60 years.
- Over a 100 cardiothoracic surgeons have graduated from the program to date.
- More than 20 surgeons have become either chiefs of their divisions or chiefs of surgery.
- Two graduates have become CEOs of health care organizations.
- One graduate has become a majority leader in the United States Senate.
Cardiac and Thoracic as Separate Teaching Units
One of the many strengths of our program is the caliber of training offered in both general thoracic surgery and cardiac surgery. From the inception of sub-specialization within the Mass General Department of Surgery into divisions, cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery have stood as units with distinct faculty and development opportunities, and are both among the top units in their respective subspecialty.
While residents enter the training program defined by their track, all receive adequate exposure to the sister specialty and benefit from the caliber of that unit. Each division is supported by separate nursing units and occupies separate operating room space. At any given time, residents are assigned to one or the other service rather than both, affording them the ability to focus their attention in that area of specialty during the rotation.
Thoralf Sundt, III, MD, is the chief of Division of Cardiac Surgery and the associate program director of the Cardiothoracic Residency Program.
Yolonda Colson, MD, PhD is the chief of Division of Thoracic Surgery.
Residency Exposure
The cardiac surgery practice at Mass General is broad, providing residents with exposure to all aspects of the field including:
- Aortic surgery, the full spectrum from complex aortic root surgery—including valve sparing root repair to hybrid approaches—to complex disease in collaboration with vascular surgery. The Mass General Thoracic Aortic Center is the oldest such clinic in New England and is complemented by the Marfan Disease Clinic. The Mass General Heart Center is a regional referral center for treating acute aortic dissection.
- Complex valve surgery, ranging from complex endocarditis to minimally invasive approaches to valve repair, including robotic.
- Catheter-based approaches to treat of structural heart disease in close collaboration with our colleagues in interventional cardiology.
- Contemporary approaches to treat coronary artery disease occluding complex arterial grafting.
- Adult congenital heart disease—the large adult congenital heart disease practice at Mass General is supported by four dedicated cardiology staff and two surgeons.
- Arrhythmia surgery.
- Surgical treatment of end-stage disease—mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation and lung transplantation.
In thoracic surgery, residents experience the full gamut, including:
- Complex airway reconstruction including tracheal resection and reconstruction, carinal reconstruction and advanced endoscopic procedures.
- The full spectrum of surgical approaches including both open and minimally invasive/robotic surgery to treat esophageal cancer.
- Complex esophageal procedures including the use of alternative conduits and multiple revision surgery for benign disease.
- Mediastinal surgery with a focus on minimally invasive techniques.
- Complicated pulmonary surgery with a focus on parenchymal preserving procedures and bronchoplastic techniques.
- Advanced robotic surgery as applied to all facets of thoracic surgery.
Curriculum
The didactic curriculum is standardized for all residents and includes broad education in both cardiac and thoracic topics, as is required by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. However, clinical rotations are tailored to the resident’s subspecialty interest within cardiac or thoracic surgery.
For residents on the cardiac track, a total of six months is dedicated to thoracic surgery with the remaining time focused on contemporary intensive care and temporary mechanical circulatory support. The latter is organized into three-month rotations—three months will be focused on catheter-based approaches to treat structural heart disease, and three months will be spent at Boston Children's Hospital and focused on congenital heart disease. The cardiac surgical training experience is set in a preceptorship format and involves collaboration with each of the cardiac surgery attendings.
Residents on the thoracic track will spend nine months dedicated to cardiac surgery with a focus on general thoracic, including three months in multispecialty and interdisciplinary care, and three to six months engaging in away rotations at institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital, Toronto General Hospital and more. All aspects of thoracic surgery are covered with a particular focus on robotic techniques. Residents actively participate in multidisciplinary care of thoracic surgery, including exposure to cutting-edge clinical trials in thoracic oncology.
Cardiothoracic Education Schedule
- Multidisciplinary Care of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patient
- Structural Heart Team Meeting
- Joint Cath/Cardiac Surgery Conference
- Cardiology Grand Rounds
- ECMO M&M
- Thoracic Aortic Center Rounds
- Cardiac M&M
- Thoracic M&M
- Surgical Grand Rounds
- Thoracic Surgery Didactic
- Cardiac Surgery Didactic
- Esophagectomy Preoperative Planning Conference
- Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Conference
- Gastroesophageal Multi-Conference
Didactics
Didactic conferences are held weekly, with 45 minutes dedicated to topics in general thoracic surgery and 45 minutes dedicated to topics in general cardiac surgery.
Example topics include:
- Adult congenital.
- Echocardiography.
- Esophageal perforation.
- Paraesophageal hernia.
- Principles of cardiopulmonary bypass.
- Stage one lung cancer.
Thoracic Track
Thoracic residents receive a rich clinical experience at Mass General. With an extraordinarily busy clinical service, the thoracic team provides a high volume of pulmonary, esophageal (both benign and malignant), mediastinal and tracheal procedures. The clinical and operative experience offers a referral base for complex procedures.
Residents are exposed to an array of clinical experience, and case-based learning is emphasized. We believe this is truly the best way for residents to learn. Didactic conferences are held weekly for residents to gain more exposure to thoracic surgery.
The Mass General Division of Thoracic Surgery includes attending physicians, advanced practice providers, data mangers and research nurses.
The goal of the program is to train thoracic residents in the full breadth of thoracic surgery including endoscopy, open and minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery and airway surgery. In addition, there is an opportunity for thoracic track residents to experience elective opportunities at other institutions.
Cardiac Track
The Mass General Division of Cardiac Surgery clinical service is supported by advanced practice providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) in the preoperative clinic and postoperative step-down unit. The Heart Center intensive care unit at Mass General is an open, multidisciplinary format that includes both surgical and medical patients. It is staffed 24/7 by surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists and other boarded intensivists as well as advanced practice staff. Residents are expected to play an active role in the care of cardiac surgical patients postoperatively. There are also data managers and research personnel to facilitate clinical research projects.
The goal of the cardiac track is to offer comprehensive training in cardiac surgery. Trainees on the cardiac track spend sufficient time dedicated to the general thoracic service, which is a major strength of the program. By getting experience in both clinical areas, trainees can exceed their case requirements in all areas, but more importantly become comfortable in and around the entire chest, anatomically and surgically. The Mass General and cardiac surgical service culture is one of collaboration and cooperation with associated services, such as cardiology and vascular surgery, which fosters trainees' growth more broadly in all areas.
Research
All surgeons in the cardiac surgery at Mass General participate in clinical research. In addition, there are two cardiac surgeons with active basic science laboratories:
- Joren C. Madsen, MD DPhil, co-directs the Center for Transplantation Sciences (CTS) and operates a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded laboratory focused on transplantation immunology and the induction of tolerance.
- Richard Pierson, MD, is a scientific director at the CTS and operates an NIH-funded laboratory focused on xenotransplantation.
- Serguei Melnitchouk, MD
- Antonia Kreso, MD
- Asishana Osho, MD
Similarly, all surgeons within the thoracic surgery division at Mass General participate in active clinical research, typically within their field of interest. Research papers are presented at national meetings by residents and fellows. Mass General is an active participant and a leader in the development of the General Thoracic Database in the STS under the leadership of Cameron Wright, MD.
We are leading in research and have the current research labs:
- James Allan, MD, senior investigator, co-head, CTS
- Michael Lanuti, MD, thoracic oncology
- Chistina Constantino, MD
- Uma Sachdeva, MD, PhD, esophageal cancer research
- Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD, clinical trials and outcomes research
To apply to the program, visit the ERAS website.
All applications for our cardiothoracic surgery residency program must be submitted through ERAS. Programs participating in ERAS may only accept those application materials sent electronically through ERAS. We will not accept any additional supporting documents by mail.
Contact Information
- Asishana Osho, MD, Program Director Email: asishana.osho@mgh.harvard.edu
- Jennifer Manu, Residency Program Manager Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Cox 630, Boston, MA 02114 Phone: 617-726-2107 Email: jmanu@mgb.org
Follow our residents on X @mghctsurgery
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Meet The Teams
- Asishana Osho, MD Program Director; Division of Thoracic Surgery
- Christina Costantino, MD Associate Program Director; Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School / Cardiac Surgeon
- Jennifer Manu Cardiothoracic Residency Program Manager
- Jordan Bloom, MD, MPH Surgical Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Quality Director, MGB Cardiac Surgery Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
- David D'Alessandro, MD Surgical Director, Heart Transplantation and Ventricular Assist Devices Member of Faculty, Harvard Medical School
- Motahar Hosseini, MD
- Arminder Jassar, MBBS Co-Director, MGH Thoracic Aortic Center Director of Quality and Safety for Cardiac Surgery Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard medical School
- Antonia Kreso, MD Cardiothoracic Surgeon
- Nathaniel Langer, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School Surgical Director, Structural Heart Disease Surgical Director, Lung Transplantation
- Serguei Melnitchouk, MD Cardiac Surgeon Co-Director, Heart Valve Program
- Eriberto Michel, MD
- Asishana Osho, MD Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School / Cardiac Surgeon
- Thor Sundt, MD Chief, Division of Cardiac Surgery Director, Corrigan Minehan Heart Center Co-director, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program
- David Michael Shahian, MD
- Richard Pierson, MD
- David Miranda, MD
- James Allan, MD Chief, Thoracic Surgery, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Assoc. Chief, Thoracic Surgery; Salem Hospital Co-Director, Cardiothoracic Transplantation Lab, MGH/HMS Center for Transplantation Sciences
- Hugh Auchincloss, MD, MPH Associate Program Director, MGH Surgical Residency Program
- Yolonda Colson, MD, PhD Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery Hermes C. Grillo Professor of Surgery
- Christina Costantino, MD
- Dean Donahue, MD Director of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Program, Division of Thoracic Surgery Assistant Team Physician for the New England Patriots Consultant for the Boston Bruins, and Boston Red Sox
- Paul Furlow, MD, PhD
- Michael Lanuti, MD Director, Thoracic Oncology, Division of Thoracic Surgery Associate Professor Harvard Medical School
- Christopher Morse, MD Co-Director Gastroesophageal Surgery Program
- Nikhil Panda, MD
- Uma Sachdeva, MD, PhD Thoracic Surgery Department of Surgery
- Cam Wright, MD Visiting Surgeon, MGH Mathisen Family Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School Director of Quality in Surgery, MGH
- Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD Thoracic Surgery Department of Surgery
Meet Our Alumni
2024
- Christina Costantino - Mass General, Thoracic
- Travis Hull – Providence Heart Institute, Cardiothoracic Surgery Center – Spokane, Cardiac
- Philicia Moonsamy – Cedars-Sinai, Thoracic
2025
- Magaret Connolly – Brigham and Women’s, Cardiac
- David Miranda – Mass General, Cardiac
- Nikhil Panda – Mass General, Thoracic
- Jordan Secor – Congenital Fellowship
2023
- Andrea Axtell, MD, MPH University of Wisconsin, Thoracic
- Antonia Kreso, MD, PhD Mass General, Cardiac
- Brittany Potz, MD Cleveland Clinic, Congenital Fellowship
- Adam Paine, MD MaineHealth, Cardiac
- Fernando Ramirez Del Val, MD, MPH Houston Methodist, Cardiac
2022
- Paul Furlow Mass General, Thoracic
- Jarrod Predina Penn Medicine, Thoracic
- S. Ali Rabi Mass General, Cardiac
2021
- Jordan Bloom Mass General, Cardiac
- Michael Onwugbufor Kaiser Permanente, Thoracic
- Asishana Osho Mass General, Cardiac
2020
- Andrew Baldwin Hawaii Pacific Health, Cardiac
- John Trahanas Vanderbilt, Cardiac
- Luis Tapias Mayo Clinic, General Thoracic
2019
- Lucia Madariaga University of Chicago, General Thoracic
- Uma Sachdeva Mass General, General Thoracic
- PJ Spencer Westchester Medical Center, Cardiac
2018
- Amy Fiedler University of Wisconsin, Cardiac
- Leo Tapias Baylor/Dallas, General Thoracic
- Brett Broussard Banner Health/AZ, General Thoracic
2017
- Hugh AuchinclossMass General, General Thoracic
- Michael Kwon Children’s Hospital,Congenital Fellowship
- Eric Fein Children’s Hospital, Congenital Fellowship
2016
- David Greenhouse Emory, Children’s Healthcare, Congenital Fellowship
- Natalie Lui Stanford University, General Thoracic
- Smita Sihag Memorial Sloan Kettering, General Thoracic
2016
- David Greenhouse Emory, Children’s Healthcare, Congenital Fellowship
- Natalie Lui Stanford University, General Thoracic
- Smita Sihag Memorial Sloan Kettering, General Thoracic
2015
- Joshua Goldberg Westchester Medical Center, Cardiac
- Paresh Mane St. Peters Health Partners, General Thoracic
- Matthew Fox University of Louisville, General Thoracic
2014
- Tae Song University of Chicago, Cardiac
- Cameron Stock UMass Memorial Hospital, General Thoracic
- Tim Millington Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical, General Thoracic
2013
- Justin Blasberg Yale New Haven Hospital, General Thoracic
- Karl Limmer Sharp Memorial Hospital, Private Practice
- Harald Ott Mass General, General Thoracic
2012
- Christopher Mutrie Baptist Memorial Group, Private Practice
- Eitan Podgaetz University of Minnesota, General Thoracic
- Salil Shah Thomas Jefferson University, Cardiac
2011
- John Craig Baptist Memorial Group, Private Practice
- Daniel Raz City of Hope Medical Center, General Thoracic
- Samuel Kim University of Arizona, General Thoracic
2010
- Pierre De Delva University of Mississippi, General Thoracic, Chief
- Vincent Daniel Ohio State University, General Thoracic
- Allen Cheng University of Rochester, Fellowship
2009
- Joshua Baker Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Cardiac, Private Practice
- Ashok Muniappan Mass General, General Thoracic
- Nathaniel Evans Thomas Jefferson University, General Thoracic
2008
- Michael Coello Beaumont Hospital, General Thoracic, Private Practice
- Moishe Liberman, chief University of Montreal, General Thoracic
- Ajit Kurien Tharakan, chief University of Missouri, Cardiac
2007
- Nathan R. Bates Orange Park Medical Center, Private Practice
- Douglas J. Minnich University of Alabama, General Thoracic
- Robert E. Merritt, chief Ohio State, General Thoracic
2006
- Scott Cowan Thomas Jefferson University, General Thoracic
- Steven Fiser Richmond, Virginia, Cardiac, Private Practice
- Christopher MorseMass General, General Thoracic
2005
- Modassir Choudhry Passport Capital, Venture Capitalist
- Glenn Egrie University of California, San Francisco, Cardiac
- Todd Weiser White Plains, NY, Thoracic, Private Practice
2004
- Frederick Chen, chief Tufts Medical Center, Cardiac
- Francis Fynn-Thompson Boston Children's Hospital, Congenital Cardiac
- Robert Shen Mayo Clinic, General Thoracic
2003
- James Caccitolo University of Texas, Cardiothoracic
- David Helma (retired) Cardiac
- Michael LanutiMass General, General Thoracic
2002
- Zane Hammoud, chief Henry Ford Hospital, General Thoracic
- Edwin McGee Loyola Medicine, Cardiac
- Bassem Mora University of Chicago, Congenital Cardiac
2001
- Simon Ashiku Kaiser Permanente, Private Practice
- Mark Blucher St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, Private Practice
- Michael Reed Penn State University, General Thoracic
2000
- Jennifer Walker, chief University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Cardiac
1999
- Ralph de la Torre, chief and CEO Steward Healthcare
- Arvind Agnihotri, chief St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Cardiac
1998
- James AllanMass General, General Thoracic
- Emile Bacha, chief Columbia University, Congenital Cardiac
- Frank Fazzalari University of Michigan, Cardiac
1997
- Raymond Lee Jacksonville, Florida, Private Practice
- Thomas MacGillivray, chief Baylor Methodist, Cardiac
- Joseph Shrager, chief Stanford University, General Thoracic
1996
- Dean DonahueMass General, General Thoracic
- Chiwon Hahn Richmond, Virginia, Private Practice
- John Mitchell, chief University of Colorado, General Thoracic
1995
- Ralph Bueno, chief Brigham and Women’s Hospital, General Thoracic
- Brian Duncan Cleveland Clinic, Congenital
1994
- Gregory Hirsch, chief University of Halifax, Cardiac
- Mark Mostovych Jacksonville, Florida, Private Practice
1993
- Derek Muehrcke St. Augustine, Florida, Private Practice
1992
- Joren Madsen Mass General, Cardiac Research
- Robin Pierson University of Maryland, Cardiac
1991
- Joseph Newton Norfolk, Virginia, Private Practice
- Douglas Wood, chief and Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) president University of Washington, General Thoracic
1990
- Robert Zurcher Columbia, South Carolina, Private Practice
- Mark Allen, chief and STS president Mayo Clinic, General Thoracic
1989
- David Torchiana Mass General
- Ralph Warren (In Memoriam)
1988
- John Wain, chief St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, General Thoracic
- Cameron WrightMass General, General Thoracic
1987
- Richard Heitmiller, chief Union Hospital, General Thoracic
- Leland Siwek Spokane, Washington, Private Practice
1985
- Gus Vlahakes Mass General, Cardiac
- William Frist, senator Nashville, Tennessee, Cardiac
1983
- Marshall Jacobs (retired) Congenital Cardiac
- Mark Katlic, chief Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, General Thoracic
1982
- Eric Hanson Sterling Heights, Michigan, Private Practice
- Douglas Mathisen (retired) Mass General, General Thoracic
1981
- Wayne Derkac (retired) Norfolk, Virginia, Private Practice
- Steven Guyton Oregon Health & Science University, Cardiac
1980
- Mark Hochberg New York University, Vice Chairman of Surgery for Education
- William Coleman (retired) Spokane, WA, Private Practice
1979
- Robert Guyton, chief and STS president Emory University, Cardiac
- Robert Thurer Haemonetics Corporation, Medical Director, Blood Management Solution
1978
- James Kirklin, chief University Alabama, Cardiac
- Robert Lowe Hartford, Connecticut, Private Practice
1977
- Bruce Lytle (retired chief) Cleveland Clinic, Cardiac
- Samuel Selinger (retired)
1976
- Frederick Levine (In Memoriam) Cardiac, Private Practice
- Alan Higenberg (In Memoriam)
1975
- Cary Akins (retired) Mass General, Cardiac
1974
- Ronald Abel (In Memoriam) Cardiac
1973
- Willis Williams (retired) Emory University, Congenital Cardiac
1972
- M. Terry McEnany Snowmass Village, Wisconsin, Private Practice
1971
- Douglas Behrendt (retired chief) University of Iowa, Cardiac
How to reach us
Apply Today
Call: 617-726-2107
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