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Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency

Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program

Train with leaders + operate with confidence while thriving in our cardiothoracic surgery residency program

Tufts Medical Center offers a highly selective, two-year Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program accredited by the ACGME. Designed for physicians who have completed an accredited general surgery residency, our program provides comprehensive training in adult cardiac and general thoracic surgery. With only one or two residents accepted each year, we ensure each trainee receives focused, personalized mentorship and hands-on experience.

Residents train across multiple high-volume sites, including Tufts Medical Center and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. The curriculum includes didactic lectures, surgical simulation and robust clinical exposure, ensuring our graduates exceed case minimums and are well-prepared for independent practice or further subspecialty training.

Our small cohort model fosters a strong sense of community, direct access to faculty, and a progressive path toward surgical autonomy. Graduates have gone on to build successful careers in both academic and community settings across the country.

Program highlights:

  • Two-year ACGME-accredited program
  • High case volume: ~1,000 adult cardiac and ~300 thoracic cases annually
  • Rotations at Tufts Medical Center, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and optional congenital surgery at Boston Children's Hospital
  • Weekly didactics, mock orals and surgical skills training
  • Individualized mentorship and career development support
Contact
user
Kristi Frank
Program Coordinator
Experience personalized training in a selective cardiothoracic surgery residency with high-volume surgical cases
1,000+
Annually
Heart surgeries
300+
Annually
Thoracic cases

During your residency, you’ll be mentored by a dedicated team of expert surgeons who support your growth every step of the way. They provide personalized guidance, help you take on increasing responsibility, and develop leadership skills that prepare you for a successful surgical career.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in a wide range of complex cardiac and thoracic procedures at Boston’s busiest surgical centers. This training builds your confidence, sharpens your technical skills, and teaches you to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

The program combines a rigorous clinical schedule with a comprehensive academic curriculum. Weekly lectures cover essential cardiothoracic surgery topics, while surgical simulations provide hands-on practice to sharpen your skills in a controlled environment. Regular mock oral exams help build your confidence and prepare you thoroughly for board certification, ensuring you’re ready to meet the demands of a surgical career.

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