Though recent changes in medical education have actually limited exposure congenital cardiac surgery, we remain committed to fostering early and meaningful exposure to the field. Our EMPHASIS program enables medical students to enroll in an elective rotation in the pediatric cardiac program. These students observe and participate in open heart surgery, and also spend time with subspecialists in pediatric cardiac echocardiography, pediatric interventional cardiology, and the combined cardiology/cardiac surgery weekly conference.
Cardiothoracic residents, in their second year of training, spend three months as rotating residents on the pediatric cardiac surgery service at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. And subspecialty rotation is also available in the final year of residency. Residents participate in complex cardiac procedures on infants, children and adults with congenital heart defects. Training also focuses on pre- and post-operative care, ICU management and weekly conferences. Opportunities also exist in organizing, writing and submitting manuscripts for publication.
We also provide undergraduate students, high school students and international students opportunities for exposure to the field through rotations and programs, including the Young Scientist Training Program (YSTP).