Preceptor: Travis Geraci, MD (Kimmel Pavilion), Jorge M. Balaguer, MD (Bellevue)
Contact: Doris Revilla, Doris.Revilla@NYULangone.org
Telephone: 212-263-7427

Prerequisites: None

Who should enroll in this elective?

Students who are considering Cardiothoracic Surgery as a career

Students who are entering an allied field, such as General Surgery, Cardiology, Pulmonology or Anesthesiology

Students who are simply interested in this clinical area

Clinical sites

Tisch/Kimmel Hospital, Bellevue Hospital

Description

This is an introductory 2-week elective that seeks to build on knowledge about the care of patients with cardiothoracic disease, and experiences gained in the pre-clerkship and clerkship years. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the core principles, foundational knowledge, and essential skills relevant to the specialty through encounters with a diverse range of cases reflective of this specialty.

There is an opportunity to focus on cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, or combine both. On the cardiac service, students will gain experience through exposure to all areas of adult cardiac surgery including surgical revascularization, valve repair and replacement surgery, minimally invasive cardia surgery, VAD and transplant, aortic surgery, surgical myectomy and acute mechanical circulatory support. On the thoracic service, students will gain experience through exposure to adult benign and malignant thoracic surgery, including robotic anatomic lung resection (lobectomy, segmentectomy), thymectomy, esophagectomy, thoracic outlet decompression, chest wall surgery, and endoscopic procedures.

In addition to an incredible operative experience, students will round on his/her patients in Kimmel Pavilion. Here, they will learn critical care management of cardiothoracic surgery patients, and in doing so, learn valuable critical thinking skills that will help them manage patients. In addition to the technical aspects of the operations, students will learn the pathology and pathophysiology of the condition they are trying to treat. Clinical research projects are available for student participation.

Objectives of the Elective

By the end of this elective, through daily contact with patients and didactics, you will:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of the field of cardiothoracic surgery, building on your pre-clerkship and clerkship experiences, through a broad exposure to cardiovascular diseases
2. Expand your skills in inpatient and outpatient workup and management of patients with cardiovascular diseases
3. Learn about specialty-specific history and physical exams as well as the indications for, and complications of specialty-specific procedures
4. Gain knowledge regarding treatment modalities used to treat cardiovascular diseases
5. Gain insight into the interdisciplinary nature of this specialty and how our clinicians interact with other medical disciplines to provide comprehensive patient care
6. Explore the option of cardiovascular surgery as a career choice

Key Responsibilities of the Student While on Elective

By enrolling in this elective, you have agreed to:

1. Participate in at least 35 contact hours of education each week
2. Provide communication of any excused absences to the Office of Student Affairs (excused absence form) and to the elective coordinator, in a timely fashion
3. Arrive in a timely fashion to all locations to which you are assigned
4. Round on your patients daily and participate in daily morning rounds and patient care with residents and attendings. By doing so, you will learn all aspects of post-op care and identify complications
5. Present to the operating room knowing the patient’s history and pathology, the planned operation and potential complications
6. Scrub and assist in the operating room daily
7. Assist in the evaluation of patients as a consultant, both on the wards, and in the emergency department
8. Attend all didactics and conferences provided for trainees, as outlined below

Key Responsibilities of the preceptor/residents/faculty while you are on Elective

By accepting your enrollment in this elective, the department has agreed to:

1. Clearly communicate their expectations of you
2. Maintain a supportive clinical learning environment
3. Ensure that you have access to a broad case mix and clinical experience
4. Provide the education necessary for you to gain an understanding of the patients and pathology reflective of this specialty
5. Provide feedback on your clinical skills

Didactic program

• CT Surgery Department core curriculum conference
• Morbidity & Mortality monthly departmental conference
• Pediatrics Congenital Conference
• Weekly student conference
• CT surgery department core curriculum conference
• Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor B aortic conference

Monthly Conferences:

• Aortic Conference - combined Vascular Surgery & Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Cardiogenic Shock Conference
• Heart Team Conference
• Morbidity and Mortality Conference
• Wet Labs

Weekly schedule

Week 1

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
7:00AM: CT Surgery Department core curriculum conference 4:00PM: Pediatrics Congenital Conference	2:00PM: Weekly student conference	7:00AM: CT Surgery Department core curriculum conference		7:00AM: Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board Aortic Conference

Week 2

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
7:00AM: CT Surgery Department core curriculum conference or Morbidity & Mortality departmental conference (4th Monday of the month) 4:00PM: Pediatrics Congenital Conference	2:00PM: Weekly student conference	7:00AM: CT Surgery Department core curriculum conference		7:00AM: Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board Aortic Conference

Method Of Evaluation

Students are evaluated by the faculty, including the course preceptor and the chief resident(s). Written evaluations will be provided to students as well as an end-of-rotation review with the course preceptor. Evaluations will be based on observations in the OR and on time taking care of patients with the surgical team.

Scheduling Information

Duration: 2 Weeks

Months Offered: All year

Student point of contact before start of elective: Doris Revilla, Doris.Revilla@NYULangone.org

On day 1, students report to: Travis Geraci, MD at our weekly morning conference

Students per elective block: 2