Residency & Fellowship Programs

Our Programs

Michigan Medicine Frankel Cardiovascular Center

Frankel Cardiovascular Center (CVC)

Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency

The integrated program, led by Dr. Andrew Chang and Dr. Karen Kim, is geared toward medical students who know they wish to become cardiothoracic surgeons. Instead of first completing general surgery training and then beginning a separate residency in cardiothoracic surgery, doctors enter a cardiothoracic residency directly out of medical school.

This six-year program includes a variety of rotations in the early years, including general surgery, critical care, cardiac imaging, and other relevant surgical and non-surgical specialties. It has become the educational standard for thoracic surgical residency training.

Traditional Thoracic Surgery Residency

The traditional two-year thoracic surgery program, led by Dr. Andrew Chang, is offered for those who have completed either a general or vascular surgery residency. It provides two years of cardiac and thoracic surgery training following general surgery.

Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship

The University of Michigan Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship, led by Dr. Jennifer Romano, is one of 13 programs in the country approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The graduates are eligible for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery Congenital Cardiac Surgery certification process.

The fellowship is one year in duration and follows completion of either an integrated thoracic surgery residency or cardiothoracic surgery fellowship. The residency encompasses surgical training for congenital cardiac surgery along with the full spectrum of perioperative care.

How to Apply

The six-year Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency program and the two-year traditional Thoracic Surgery Residency program are participants in the Electronic Residency Application Service [ERAS]. Please refer to the ERAS website to complete your application for our residency programs.

Contact Us

Please contact the Surgery Education Office if you have any questions about the application process.

Salary & Benefits

The University of Michigan offers highly competitive salaries and tremendous benefits to our residents and fellows. An overview of salary, benefits and employment eligibility is available on the GME Office website.

Learn More about trainee salary and benefits →

Excellence in Cardiothoracic Training

When you decide to become a resident at the University of Michigan Department of Cardiac Surgery, you join a culture of education. Because of the expertise found in every discipline, Michigan is considered one of the very best places to train.

Clinical Care: Trainees are exposed to a wealth of clinical pathology and are able to learn from premiere faculty recruited nationally and internationally who have deep expertise in all branches of cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. Residents are active participants in operations and become proficient in every aspect of the surgical process, from diagnosis to techniques required for surgery, as well as follow up clinical care.
Surgical Facilities: Trainees practice at premiere facilities, rotating between the Veterans Hospital, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, the Cardiovascular Center and the University Hospital. The Frankel Cardiovascular Center is a 350,000 square-foot facility that showcases our innovative approach to cardiovascular clinical care and research, including a 1,200-square-foot hybrid operating suite for multidisciplinary procedures and a cardiovascular research center.
Research: Residents and fellows experience the full scope of working in an institution that performs cutting edge research in cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. Trainees are directly involved in key studies, as well as clinical trials. Cardiac surgery residents routinely publish in prestigious academic journals and have presented at national and international meetings.
Support: We have a pool of support dedicated to providing residents with the research skills they need to succeed at Michigan and beyond. A full-time biostatician is on staff and residents have access to a rich database. Residents and fellows have the opportunity to practice their presentations to a faculty audience before heading to a national stage. A monthly Research in Progress seminar series allows both residents and faculty to present their ideas to their peers for feedback as well.

Our Alumni

Our residents leave the Department of Cardiac Surgery well prepared to make a difference in the world of cardiac medicine. Michigan Cardiac Surgery alumni form a network of some of the most prestigious, highly regarded cardiac surgeons anywhere, from Michigan Medicine to institutions across the world.