Fellowship Opportunities

Updated as of: September 9, 2011

THORACIC FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION
 

The Swedish Thoracic Surgery (www.swedishthoracicsurgery.com) group offers a one-year advanced non-cardiac thoracic surgery clinical fellowship.

The Swedish Medical Center and Cancer Institute Thoracic Fellowship is a comprehensive training program in advanced non-cardiac thoracic surgery. The service is staffed by 5 attendings:  4 surgeons and one interventional pulmonologist who devote a 100% of their practice to general thoracic surgery, resulting in high volume and considerable academic pursuit. As their backgrounds in training and experience are varied, there is rich exposure to multiple problem-solving approaches and concepts. In addition, the practice includes considerable thoracic oncology, including esophageal and gastric malignancy, and the fellowship coexists with an advanced minimally invasive foregut fellowship. Because of these strengths, the fellow gains a broad range of skill sets in the evaluation, management, and technical solutions to common and complex general thoracic surgical diseases. Annually, we are performing approximately 130 EBUS, 90 rigid airway endoscopies and associated interventions, 90 open anatomic lung resections, 65 MIS lobectomies (VATS or robotic), 20 robotic thymectomies, 20 robotic mediastinal tumors , 35 esophagectomies and 15 extrapleural pneumonectomies.

While minimally invasive surgical approaches including robotics are used extensively, the emphasis is on a thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and/or oncology of disease processes, proper utilization of diagnostic modalities, decision-making regarding surgical interventions, proper surgical technique –either open or MIS - and postoperative management of complex patients. Advanced bronchoscopic experience in endobronchial ultrasound, CT navigational bronchoscopy, and rigid bronchoscopy with management of obstruction and other complex airway diseases leads to additional proficiency and versatility.

Academically the fellow is responsible for participating in 6 journal clubs and 3-6 resident education conferences per year, as well as monthly morbidity and mortality conference and weekly radiology rounds. At least one significant research project must be substantially completed during the year, though typically authorship in more than one paper results from the year. Time and funding are provided for 1 educational conference per year.

The work environment is excellent and confined to one facility with state of the art equipment and a good support structure that minimizes busy work. The fellow shares the service with a third-or fourth-year surgery resident. Two nurse practitioners help support clinical care. The office is on-campus and its staff is available to the fellow.

Interested candidates should send inquiries to: Dr Ralph Aye, Swedish Thoracic Surgery Clinic,1101 Madison, Suite 850, Seattle, WA 98104, or by Email at: ralph.aye@swedish.org