Thoracic Surgery Fellowship
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$8.6M
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663
About the Fellowship
Following completion of the two-year program, the fellow is expected to have achieved a broad base of knowledge and skills concerning the preoperative, operative, and post operative care of the cardiothoracic surgery patient. The fellow is expected to be proficient and knowledgeable in the indications and the technical skills to perform procedures requiring traditional open and catheter-based technology. The fellow is expected to demonstrate the ability to critique personal practice outcomes and to apply self-directed life-long learning in the practice of Thoracic Surgery.
Our Team
Message from the Program Director
Welcome, I am delighted you are interested in our program. I am Ross Reul, Program Director for the Houston Methodist Hospital Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX. We have developed an incredible training program in one of the premier cardiovascular centers in the world. Our trainees will benefit from the long academic tradition of the House of DeBakey and in this program you will be trained and mentored by faculty with extensive experience, diverse experience and a profound passion for teaching. Fellows will also rotate at the Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin with Dr. Charles Fraser and his team for their focused congenital heart surgery training.
The Houston Methodist Hospital Thoracic Surgery program is a two-year program and we accept one fellow each year. As the largest hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital provides a high volume and immensely diverse patient population that provides surgical residents the experience needed to become great cardiothoracic surgeons.
We are focused on providing you an environment of inquiry, state of the art facilities and care, up to date clinical exposure and a faculty mentor to guide research interest and productivity during your training. Above all else, the faculty and the department are dedicated to your professional success – the completion of your fellowship is just the first step in a shared journey of growth and mentorship. We hope to have the privilege of joining you along this journey.
I look forward to visiting with you.
Sincerely,
Ross Reul,
Program Director, Thoracic Surgery Fellowship
Cardiac Surgery
The adult cardiac surgery faculty has vast experience in teaching and diverse, specialized expertise in coronary revascularization, valve repair and replacement, complex aorta surgery and TEVAR, arrhythmia surgery, cardiac tumors and autotransplantation, cardiac and thoracic transplantation, ventricular assist devices and ECMO, adult congenital surgery, minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery, TAVR, and TMVR.
Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac Surgery
Allison Family Distinguished Chair of Cardiovascular Research
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center
Surgical Director, Heart Transplantation Program
Associate Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support
Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academic Institute
Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center
General Thoracic Surgery
Division of Thoracic Surgery has three general thoracic surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive thoracic surgical procedures. We treat patients with surgical disease involving the chest wall, diaphragm, esophagus, lung, pleura, mediastinum, and airway. We operate in the new state of the art Walter Tower OR. There are two operating rooms that are dedicated to general thoracic surgery. Most of our cases involve use of the Da Vinci Xi robot. We have access to two robots every day with one of the rooms having a dual console that enhances the learning of the use of robots in thoracic surgical cases. We have a well-established curriculum to teach robot-assisted surgery. All the general surgery chiefs in the past three years have obtained the robot certification by rotating on our service. There are general surgery residents who rotate on the service. Typically, we have three general residents whose goal is to learn both cognitive and technical aspects of thoracic surgery. To accomplish that mission, we have physician extenders in the inpatient and outpatient side of the service. We have one physician assistant on the inpatient side and two nurse practitioners on the outpatient side along with two medical assistants and an executive administrative assistant. We enhance the cognitive aspects of thoracic surgery with learning from patients seen in the clinic, rounds, weekly division conference, thoracic tumor board, suspicious lung nodule conference, general surgery M&M, general surgery grand rounds, Thoracic lecture series, and GI conference. Lastly, we have added a video-based learning program that has enhanced the operative experience for general surgery residents. Residents have the access to narrated operations performed by thoracic surgeons which highlight the major aspects of an operation. Thus, a resident can be better prepared for the case and start to operate from the very first case. The video also allows for a review of the cases performed by the residents to better understand how to improve for the next case. We have an innovative state of the art training program for thoracic surgery fellows.
Congenital Heart Surgery (Dell Children's Medical Center)
The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease is led by Charles D. Fraser, Jr., MD, one of the country’s leading pediatric heart surgeons. The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease was created as a collaboration between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas. This exclusive partnership with Dell Medical School allows us to expand the care we provide to children in Central Texas, and support research for pediatric cardiovascular conditions.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Professor, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care
Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care
Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dell Children's Regional Heart Center
Eligibility and Application
Thank you for your interest in the Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program at Houston Methodist.
Application Process
Fellowship applications and required documentation must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Application Requirements
Applicants must have graduated from a five-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited General Surgery residency program and be eligible for examination by the American Board of Surgery.
The documentation listed below must be submitted with the application:
- Official medical school transcript and diploma in original language and in English (copied and notarized, stating that it is a true copy of the original)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement <li">Curriculum vitae
- USMLE/COMLEX scores
- Valid ECFMG certificate/J-1 visa (if applicable)
- American Board of Surgery-in-Training (ABSITE) exams scores </li">
Houston Methodist is committed to improving the health of our patients, employees, and communities around us. As a health care provider, it’s our responsibility to promote a healthier environment for our employees.
Responsibility
- Drug and Tobacco Screening- Job seekers will be tested for nicotine and drug usage during the post-offer physical. If a job seeker tests positive for nicotine use, including nicotine gum and patches, the offer will be rescinded, and individuals will be given the opportunity to participate in a free Houston Methodist-provided tobacco cessation program. Job seekers wishing to reapply after testing positive for nicotine may do so 90 days after the date the initial offer was rescinded. If the job seeker tests positive for drug use, the offer will be rescinded. Job seekers wishing to reapply after the drug screening is positive may do so one year after the date the initial offer was rescinded.
- Background Check - Prior to employment start date, job seekers must complete a criminal background check.
Interview Selection Process
- All information must be submitted prior to an application being reviewed.
- Interviews are by invitation only. If you have been selected, we will contact you via e-mail.
2025 In-Person Interview Dates:
January 31, 2025
March 7, 2025
A Meet & Greet will take place the evening before each interview date.
FAQS
Who can apply?
We only accept applications from U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents. Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) are eligible only if he/she: 1) Is a U.S. Permanent Resident (holds a green card); 2) Holds a valid and current ECFMG certificate. ECFMG certificate MUST be valid as of the start date of the program. For foreign nationals who are medical graduates of LCME accredited schools in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, copies of the diploma will suffice in lieu of an ECFMG certificate; 3) Qualifies for a Texas Full Medical License and 4) Taken and passed appropriate medical licensure examinations; i.e. NBME, FLEX, LMCC, MCCQE, or USMLE/ COMLEX.
When can I apply?
We are currently accepting one to candidate each year, with selection taking place one year in advance of program start. The application deadline for the AY 2024-2025 program is, December 8, 2023. Although we have a specific deadline for each application cycle, inquiries are accepted throughout the year. It is your responsibility, as the applicant, to make sure that your application is complete at time of submission.
Does the HMH thoracic surgery Fellowship Program participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Match?
Yes. All applicants should register with NRMP and adhere to the NRMP schedule of dates regarding interviews, rank submission, and position offers. The 2021 NRMP match opens on January 27, 2021 and Match Day is May 12, 2021. Contact NRMP at 202-862-6077 or visit their website for additional information.
Can I apply if I am a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) candidate instead of a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) candidate?
Yes, we accept D.O. candidate applicants.
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UT Health
Undergraduate: University of Texas
Medical School: Universita Vita-Salute San Raffaele Facolta di Medicine e Chirurgia Italy
Undergraduate: Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
Our Alumni
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2024 |
2023 Y. Atticus He, MD Current Location: Houston Methodist Hospital |
Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on the ACGME milestones, with additional goals that are outlined by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. All teaching is based on the core competencies set out by the ACGME.
The weekly Interactive Core Curriculum conference is a comprehensive review of the foundation of adult cardiac, general thoracic, and congenital heart surgery topics organized in the Thoracic Surgical Curriculum (TSC) of the TSDA designed to assist in preparation for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. The e-learning platform includes textbook readings and journal articles, case presentations, videos and benchmarked quizzes with weekly reading assignments based on the TSC format. The teaching sessions are fully interactive and designed to optimize the fellow’s fund of knowledge with board-type scenarios and questions.
The bimonthly Clinical Case Review Conference is an interactive discussion session to review and emphasize learning opportunities provided by recent clinical experience. Recent surgical cases or non-surgical consults are detailed including workup, differential diagnoses, indications for procedures, clinical options, evidence-based expected outcomes and possible complications, technical details of operations, postoperative management and potential or actual complications, long-term outcomes, and follow-up recommendations.
Fellows will actively participate in Cardiac and Thoracic Morbidity and Mortality conferences, Thoracic Tumor Board, and Cardiovascular Grand Rounds. Fellows will also participate in several bimonthly or monthly multidisciplinary conferences including Structural Heart, Complex Valve, Ischemic Heart, Complex Aorta, Adult Congenital, Suspicious Tumor Nodule, and GI Conferences. A monthly Research Productivity Conference reviews the progress and direction of all departmental research activities to facilitate and encourage ongoing projects and ideas from origination through completion.
Houston Methodist Hospital holds a Cardiovascular Fellows’ Boot Camp each year for incoming fellows in Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, and Cardiac Anesthesiology. This multidisciplinary program provides expert-led lectures on the fundamentals of cardiovascular disease and management complemented by hands-on training by faculty using cadavers, animals, and simulators. It has been described as “an amusement park for surgeons”.
All of our curriculum content is organized into topics to cover all the objectives in the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
- Patient care and technical skills
- Medical knowledge
- Practice-based learning and improvement
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Professionalism
- System-based practice
Rotation Schedule
|
Fellowship Year |
Rotations |
Length of Rotation |
|
Year 1 |
General Thoracic |
4 Months |
| Year 1 | Adult Cardiac | 4 Months |
| Year 1 | Cardiac Transplant | 1 Month |
|
Year 1 |
Structural Heart |
1 Month |
| Year 1 | Congenital Heart |
2 Months Off Site, Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, TX |
| Year 2 | General Thoracic | 2 Months |
| Year 2 | Adult Cardiac | 6 Months |
| Year 2 | Heart Failure |
1 Month |
| Year 2 | Elective Cardiac Surgery | 3 Months |
Get In Touch
Program Contact
6550 Fannin St., Smith Tower 1401
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.9314
Email: thoracicsurgeryfellowship@houstonmethodist.org
Sandra Vale
6550 Fannin St., Smith Tower 1401
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713.441.9319
Program Director
Program Director
6550 Fannin St., Smith Tower 1401
Houston, TX 77030
Email: rmreul@houstonmethodist.org
Min P. Kim, MD
Associate Program Director
6550 Fannin St., Smith Tower 1601
Houston, TX 77030
Email: mpkim@houstonmethodist.org
Upcoming Academic Events
Grand rounds, tumor boards, regularly scheduled series and case presentations are offered in multiple clinical disciplines and Houston Methodist locations.
Fundamentals of Responsible Conduct of Research
Houston Methodist Research Institute
Feb 24 @ 11AM
See Details
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Grand Rounds conducted in 2023Donate to Houston Methodist
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