Stephen Bailey, M.D., Program Co-Director
Length of program: 2 years
Number of positions: 4 (2 at each level)
The Department of Thoracic and CardioVascular Surgery since the early 1950's Allegheny General has sponsored highly regarded ACGME accredited training opportunities in cardiothoracic surgery. The program offers a rich case mix of adult cardiac and general thoracic patients drawn from a network of affiliated clinical sites serving Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The Department of CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery comprises Divisions dedicated to Cardiac Surgery, General Thoracic Surgery and Vascular Surgery.
In the past 15 years the Allegheny General Division of Cardiac Surgery has performed an average of 1,000 open heart procedures per year. The Division has expertise in all types of adult cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass and cardiac valve repair and replacement. The Division is the region's most experienced center for surgical treatment of acute and chronic thoracic aortic disease and thoracic aortic trauma. Minimally invasive endovascular aortic repair is offered by a unique multidisciplinary team comprising cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. The cardiac arrhythmia service provides standard and minimally invasive approaches to the treatment of atrial fibrillation, including the state-of-the-art “mini-maze” procedure.As leading partners in the Allegheny General Heart Failure Service, Division surgeons perform heart transplantation and direct the mechanical heart assist program. Innovative surgical therapies for heart failure, including left ventricular reduction surgery are also offered.
In western Pennsylvania, non-cardiac thoracic disease is a particularly prominent health-care problem. The Division of General Thoracic Surgery, through the Allegheny Center for Lung and Thoracic Disease, provides comprehensive and innovative diagnosis, treatment and surgery specifically directed to benign and malignant diseases of the lungs, esophagus and mediastinum. Seasoned clinicians using the latest techniques and technologies offer the best possible care and convenience for patients and families confronting cancer. Access to a full range of ACOSOG protocols and other innovative clinical trials is provided in collaboration with the Allegheny Cancer Center.General thoracic surgery specialists now perform over 800 major procedures each year, more than half employing minimally invasive techniques. In addition to curative and palliative procedures for thoracic malignancies, the Division has long-term expertise in thoracic surgery for benign conditions including gastroesophageal reflux, hyperhidrosis and thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.
The Division of Vascular Surgery at Allegheny General performs more than 1200 major surgical procedures each year for all types of peripheral vascular diseases including abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid stenosis, peripheral arterial disease and venous disorders. The Division is a regional leader in the use of endovascular techniques for aortic aneurysm, carotid stenosis and lower extremity arterial disease. The Division also specializes in the treatment of venous disorders and has expertise in radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins. Staffed by board certified vascular surgeons, the Division is an invaluable resource for thoracic surgery residents. The Division is not a formal participant in thoracic surgery training, however, residents are encouraged to use the service to gain exposure to this important allied field.
The McGinnis Cardiovascular Institute at Allegheny General Hospital
The market for cardiovascular services is changing and Allegheny General is responding.
In December 2005 Allegheny General Hospital and the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery officially dedicated the phase I completion of The Mcginnis Cardiovascular Institute at Allegheny General Hospital. Located on the grounds of the hospital, the "CVI" is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to research, diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular disease. This critically important initiative has been endowed by a federal seed grant and the generosity of regional business leaders. The CVI is designed to operate as a unifying structure for delivery of exceptional patient-centered care and state-of-the-art clinical research. Initial centers will focus on:
· Valvular heart disease
· Congestive heart failure
· Management of atrial fibrillation
· Vascular disease
· Thoracic disease
The CVI is currently serving as an outstanding venue for recruiting some of the nation's finest physicians and researchers to join the legacy of the highly regarded and experienced Allegheny team.
The Thoracic Residency Program
Under the direction of George J. Magovern, Jr., MD, the Allegheny thoracic surgery residency program comprises 2 years of clinical training. Pediatric cardiac surgery training is provided by the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh under the direction of Dr. Victor Morell.
The Allegheny thoracic surgery residency program is noted for the collegial teaching environment engendered by the faculty. The program is coordinated by George Magovern, Jr. MD with the assistance of Robert Keenan, MD and Stephen Bailey, MD. The faculty currently includes 8 board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons;residents are rotated among all of the cardiothoracic faculty to provide a broad range of experience and teaching styles. The faculty and staff of the program are committed to offering a high quality educational environment and receive strong support in this effort from the Allegheny General leadership. Amenities for the residents include a shared office for the two junior residents and a private office for each senior resident. Each resident is provided with a computer and standard office software. Two weeks of vacation and attendance at one national conference are provided annually, with an additional week off during the December holidays. Clinical services are supported by a staff of physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Senior residents serve as the first line of supervision for the cardiothoracic services, functioning as "junior attending surgeons" under the guidance of the faculty. Senior residents take no in-house call. In-house call is provided by the junior cardiothoracic residents and by general surgery residents rotating on the cardiothoracic services. In addition, Allegheny cardiology residents with credentials in ICU care cover in-house call for two nights each week.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Information Systems
The residency program is complemented by coordinated cardiothoracic surgery and general thoracic surgery databases. These databases provide the information and analyses necessary to support the clinical research and administrative functions of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Central to these services are comprehensive, clinical databases. The databases detail surgical procedures, pre- and post-operative morbidity, and outcome data for patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Allegheny General Hospital. The databases also provide a record of staff and resident activities in the operating room and, more important, are the primary source for the timely review of morbidity and mortality. These reports are prepared by the designated residents, working in concert with the cardiothoracic surgery registry staff.
Residents are encouraged to use these databases for clinical reviews and investigations. David Dean, M.D., Director of Cardiac Surgery Research advises residents on all aspects of project development, analysis and manuscript preparation.
Information for Applicants
Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory performance in an ACGME accredited general surgery program and may be required to be board eligible in general surgery. The program participates in ERAS and encourages all applicants to apply using this service and the universal thoracic surgery application form. Four weekday interview sessions are scheduled each year between February and April and comprise a welcome reception with the faculty and current residents, interviews with the program directors, tours of the facilities and lunch with all available staff.
Cardiothoracic Surgery NRMP Hospital Code # 1648460F0
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact program staff at 412-359-5026 or
412-359-4713 with any questions about the program or application process.For any questions regarding the Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program, please contact our Office at (412) 359-4713 or by e-mail at ctsurg@wpahs.org.
Back to Top
