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Typical Schedule

The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery offers one position in its thoracic surgery integrated residency each year. In addition to training at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and UI Stead Family Children's Hospital, each resident will also spend time at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (walking distance).

Thoracic residents work side-by-side in the clinic, OR, in research and other duties with each faculty member, Advance Practice Providers (APPs), and fellow physicians. This work is in an environment consistent with proper patient care, educational needs, and adhering to the program requirements.

A sample training program is listed below. During some general surgery rotations, there will time spent at off-site locations for high-volume general surgery experiences. This schedule is only an example: there may be variations throughout each year.

PGY-1

Specialty

Number of Blocks
VA General Surgery 1
Cardiac Cath/ECHO 1
Bronchoscopy/GI 1
Vascular Surgery  1
CVICU 2
Emergency General Surgery  1
Night Float 1
Minimally Invasive Surgery 1
Transplant 1
Pediatric Surgery 1
General Thoracic Surgery 1
Trauma Surgery  1

PGY-2

Specialty Number of Blocks
Adult Cardiac Surgery  2
General Thoracic Surgery  1
Mason City General Surgery 1
Pediatric Surgery 1
Emergency General Surgery  2
Vascular Surgery 2
Night Float 1
CVICU 2
Minimally Invasive Surgery 1

PGY-3

Specialty Number of Blocks
Adult Cardiac Surgery  3
General Thoracic Surgery  4
Pediatric Cardiac Surgery 1
Transplant 2
Vascular Surgery 1
Night Float 1
Emergency General Surgery 1

PGY-4, PGY-5 & PGY-6

Number of Blocks Per Specialty Varies by Year
General Thoracic Surgery 
Adult Cardiac Surgery 
Pediatric Cardiac Surgery