Joint General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery Pathway

The Joint Residency Program, also known as the Fast-track 4+3 Pathway for Cardiothoracic Surgery Training, is an integration between the General Surgery and Cardiothoracic residency programs during the fourth and fifth years of general surgery residency and offers a unique and specialized training experience.

During this fast-track pathway, residents complete four years of general surgery training and three years of cardiothoracic surgery training for a combined seven years of training. Residents in the UHCMC General Surgery Residency may apply in their PGY3 year. Fast-track 4+3 residents complete a total of 12 months of cardiothoracic surgery rotations during their fourth and fifth clinical years of general surgery residency.

Fast-track 4+3 residents are eligible for board certification by both the American Board of Surgery (at the completion of their general surgery residency) as well as the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (at the completion of their thoracic surgery residency).