Integrated (I-6) Thoracic Surgery Residency
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Virginia sponsors our nationally recognized academic training program for Cardiothoracic Surgery. The Thoracic Surgery Program has trained generations of thoracic surgeons since its founding in 1955 by William H. Muller Jr., MD. Since that time, faculty members of the Division have continued the commitment to excellence in preparing physicians for careers in academic cardiothoracic surgery. UVA’s tradition of excellence is exemplified by the multiple graduates who hold academic leadership positions in cardiac surgery across the nation and in prominent academic societies.
The Integrated Thoracic Surgery Residency program at the University of Virginia, established in January 2011, is designed for residents entering directly from medical school for training in cardiothoracic surgery. Upon completion of the program, residents will be eligible for certification by The American Board of Thoracic Surgery. There is one position each year designated for the I-6 program.
What Makes UVA Special?
Full Integration into UVA’s Renowned General Surgery Training Program
- The same core and chief rotations offered at UVA Medical Center and affiliated training sites
- Opportunities for collaboration with general surgery residents and faculty
Advanced Robotic Surgery Training
- Cadaveric training in robotic mitral, coronary, aortic and thoracic procedures
- Full participation in robotic cases throughout general surgery
- Regular cardiac surgery simulation using lifelike models
- Full participation in robotic cardiac and thoracic procedures
Faculty Engagement in Resident Didactics
- Weekly board preparation and formal mock oral board examinations
- Faculty-led case discussions outside the clinical setting
Research and Scientific Training
- Participation in Research Boot Camp, led by NIH-supported scientists
- Rotations through a variety of laboratories and research programs, allowing residents to identify and select mentors
- Participation in the highly innovative Surgical Scientist Training Program, of which UVA is a founding institution
Robotic Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery
UVA’s advanced robotic cardiac and thoracic surgery program exposes residents to the latest techniques while preparing them to perform the full spectrum of conventional and emerging surgical therapies. I-6 residents receive the same foundational surgery training as UVA general surgery residents, complemented by one of the nation’s leading robotic simulation curricula.
Residents participate in regular robotic simulations using lifelike valve tissue in the operating room, as well as cadaver-based robotic cardiac surgery training, a distinctive feature of our program. This immersive preparation equips residents to participate fully in clinical robotic cardiac procedures, including:
- Patient Selection and Work-up
- Emergency Simulation
- Port Placement
- Robotic Coronary Surgery
- Cardiotomy
- Aortic, Mitral, and Tricuspid Valve Repair and Replacement
- Advanced Peripheral Cannulation and Aortic Occlusion Techniques
The Academic Development Years
The University of Virginia offers numerous opportunities for residents to participate in outcomes, translational, and basic science research. Through our NIH-funded T32 training grant, residents can dedicate protected time to advancing the field of cardiothoracic surgery through a variety of research projects. Our faculty’s research activities include:
- NIH Funded Translational Research
- Device Development
- Clinical Outcomes
- Industry-Sponsored Research and Clinical Trials
We aim to develop the nation’s leading academic surgeon-scientists involved in trials, leadership, device development, education, and bench science. This training begins early in residency with research bootcamps and dedicated research rotations, pairing each resident with a faculty mentor ahead of a dedicated two year research block, taken between the second and third clinical years. UVA is also a founding participant in the highly innovative Surgical Scientist Training Program.
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research Lab
For over two decades, our Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research Lab has been investigating lung injury as it pertains to ischemia and reperfusion, during lung transplantation, and during cardiopulmonary bypass. Under the direction of Dr. Zequan Yang, the lab also investigates therapeutic hypothermia, vagus nerve activation, and splenic involvement in MI and sepsis. The laboratory’s work includes research using porcine lung transplant models.
Ibrahim Laboratory
I-6 trainees joining the Ibrahim Laboratory will work at the intersection of cardiac surgery, human myocardial biology, bioengineering and translational therapeutics. Projects may use living human myocardial slices, advanced imaging, gene transfer and molecular approaches to investigate how mechanical load remodels cardiomyocyte membrane architecture and contributes to heart failure. Additional opportunities include evaluating novel gene-therapy and lipid-nanoparticle platforms, studying myocardial remodeling before and after cardiac surgery, and translating laboratory discoveries toward clinically relevant therapies.
Trainees will be encouraged to develop a focused, hypothesis-driven project with the potential to generate presentations, publications and future grant applications. The laboratory is particularly suited to residents interested in becoming academic cardiac surgeons and surgeon-scientists, providing close mentorship in experimental design, scientific writing and the development of an independent research program.
We invite you to explore our comprehensive list of faculty-led Research Programs and Laboratories.
The Innovation Center
The Department of Surgery at UVA developed a Surgical Innovation Center in 2016. Since then, we have developed, disclosed, and patented dozens of medical devices and concepts. The Innovation Center is a partnership between our department and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Darden School of Business, and UVA’s License and Ventures Group. UVA cardiac surgeons have been leading these efforts with several devices in development.
CTSN
UVA is a core member of the NIH Cardiothoracic Surgical Tials network which has been responsible for many of the most important clinical trials in modern cardiothoracic surgery. Integration with the trials team offers plentiful opportunities for engagement in these trials. A resident-focused research grant supports resident led projects with partner institutions, educational conferences and more.
VCSQI
The Virginia Cardiac Services Initiative collates clinical data across the spectrum of cardiac surgery and cardiology across the state and affords residents access to unique datasets from which hypothesis generating or state specific data may be compiled. This has resulted in innumerable research projects and presentations.
Industry partnerships
UVA partners with industry on a number of fronts and acts as a conduit for industry supported trials, device development and more.
Clinical Curriculum
Our primary focus is on the operative experience of the residents, with early and increasing autonomy for the residents as they gain experience in the preoperative, perioperative and postoperative management of our cardiothoracic surgical patients.
Residents within the integrated program rotate through a variety of services geared toward developing autonomous cardiothoracic surgeons. Through a strong relationship with both General Surgery and Vascular Surgery, our residents develop the necessary technical skills and clinical knowledge applicable to managing patients with surgical thoracic and cardiovascular disease.
*General surgery rotations include areas such as colorectal surgery, emergency general surgery, minimally invasive, bariatric and foregut surgery, and transplant surgery.
Current I-6 Residents
I-6 Program Graduates: Where Are They Now?
| Graduation Year | Name | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Evan Rotar, MD | Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, OH |
| 2025 | Erik Scott, MD | Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare; Faculty at Florida State College of Medicine |
| 2024 | Jolian Dahl, MD | Kaiser Permanente |
| 2023 | Jared Beller, MD | Cardiothoracic Surgery Faculty, University of Virginia |
| 2022 | Sarah Clark, MD | Private Practice, Providence International Heart Institute of Montana |
| 2021 | Robert Hawkins, MD, MSc | Cardiothoracic Surgery Faculty, University of Michigan |
| 2020 | Emily Downs, MD | Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship, University of Colorado University of Colorado Congenital Cardiac Surgery Faculty |
| 2019 | Cindy Choate, MD | Cardiothoracic Surgery Faculty, Virginia Tech-Carilion Clinic |
| 2018 | Kenan Yount, MD, MBA | Cardiothoracic Surgery Faculty, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville FL |
University of Virginia Graduate Medical Education Office
The University of Virginia has an outstanding office of Graduate Medical Education with robust resources, programs and initiatives including a leading Housestaff Community Development Initiative. Learn more here about GME support and advocacy during your training at UVA.
Application Info
Applications to our program are accepted through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS AAMC).