Cardiothoracic surgery residency schedule, work hours, call responsibilities + benefits

Cardiothoracic residents take call from home for their assigned service and institution during the week and every other weekend for all services and institutions. While in-house call is not required, residents are responsible for covering emergency surgeries and managing care for critically ill patients.

Our program strictly follows the guidelines set by the Residency Review Committee and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education regarding resident work hours to ensure a balanced and safe training environment.

Each resident is supported to attend one national meeting per year at the Division’s expense, with additional meeting attendance supported for abstract or research presentations. While participation in clinical research projects is highly encouraged, it is not mandatory. Remuneration aligns with the standard levels for 6th and 7th post-graduate years at our institution.

Comprehensive hands-on training in cardiothoracic surgery with diverse clinical rotations + progressive responsibility

Our cardiothoracic surgery residency provides a comprehensive and hands-on training experience designed to prepare residents for independent practice. With a mix of high-volume clinical rotations and tailored educational opportunities, residents develop the skills and judgment needed to excel in all areas of cardiothoracic surgery. From complex heart operations to advanced thoracic procedures, the program offers diverse exposure combined with progressive responsibility and personalized mentorship.

Clinical opportunities

Clinical rotations may be tailored to individual resident interests and goals. Typically, residents spend 12 nonconsecutive months at Tufts Medical Center, gaining exposure to approximately 1,000 heart operations and 300 thoracic cases annually. The cardiac surgery service usually operates three rooms per day, while the thoracic surgery service runs one room daily. Recent resident case logs consistently exceed all American Board of Thoracic Surgery requirements.

Residents also complete a thoracic surgery rotation at the Lahey Clinic, located about 10 miles north of Boston. A congenital cardiac rotation at Boston Children’s Hospital is available for those interested. Additional rotations can be arranged based on resident preferences.

The clinical experience is designed to provide graded responsibility, with residents serving as chief of service at times. In this role, they lead patient rounds alongside physician assistants, general surgical residents, and medical students from Tufts University School of Medicine.

Cardiac surgery experience

Residents gain exposure to the full range of adult cardiac procedures, including complex coronary artery revascularization, valve repair and replacement, arrhythmia surgery, thoracic aortic surgery, advanced heart failure treatments, cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and minimally invasive techniques. Tufts Medical Center is nationally recognized as a top ten heart failure and transplant center.

Thoracic surgery experience

General thoracic surgery training includes a broad spectrum of routine and complex procedures. Residents gain experience with minimally invasive approaches such as VATS and robotic surgery, as well as pulmonary, tracheal, and chest wall resections. Training also covers benign and malignant esophageal surgeries.

Educational conferences and lectures

The program features dedicated small group conferences and lectures that reinforce clinical learning and promote active participation. Residents also participate in a city-wide mock oral exam preparation program to build confidence and sharpen decision-making skills. These educational activities complement clinical training and support each resident’s growth toward independent practice.

Resident-focused education philosophy

Our program emphasizes a resident-focused educational approach. We ensure each resident’s individual needs are met, with the goal of supporting their professional and personal ambitions throughout training.

Comprehensive cardiothoracic surgery residency training with personalized mentorship + high-volume clinical experience

The Tufts Medical Center Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program is an ACGME-accredited, two-year training program designed for individuals who have completed an ACGME-accredited or equivalent residency in surgery. The program maintains a small, selective cohort with three residents at any given time, admitting one or two residents each year. Resident education is a top priority, with faculty dedicated to personalized teaching and mentoring for every trainee.

Residents gain comprehensive exposure to adult cardiac, general thoracic and congenital cardiothoracic surgery. Training rotations take place at Tufts Medical Center, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, and Boston Children’s Hospital. As residents demonstrate competency, they earn progressive autonomy in clinical and surgical decision-making.

The clinical experience is complemented by a strong educational curriculum that includes weekly didactic conferences, surgical skills simulation sessions and mock oral examinations. Residents are expected to actively participate and prepare for all educational activities.

Our program’s goal is to train future leaders in cardiothoracic surgery. Graduates are fully prepared to enter independent practice in academic or community settings or to pursue further subspecialty training. Alumni have successfully launched careers throughout the United States.

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

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How to apply for the Tufts Medical Center psychiatry residency

Applications for the psychiatry residency program are submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), developed by the AAMC to securely transmit applications, letters of recommendation, dean’s letters, transcripts, and other supporting documents from applicants and medical schools to residency programs online.

Required application materials

• Completed ERAS application
• Medical school transcript
• Dean’s letter
• Three letters of reference
• Personal statement
• Applicant photo
• USMLE Step 1 results
• USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores (required before starting residency)

Additional information for international applicants

• International, Canadian, and osteopathic medical graduates should consult the ERAS website for specific application instructions.
• Tufts Medical Center sponsors J-1 visas.
• International medical graduates must be ECFMG certified before starting residency.

Other notes

• There is no cutoff date for how many years have passed since medical school graduation.
• While clinical experience in the United States is preferred, it is not required.
• For additional information, please also refer to the FREIDA AMA Residency and Fellowship Program Database

Psychiatry residents training for mental healthcare at Tufts Medical Center

Our psychiatry residents are the heart of Tufts Medical Center’s training program. They bring diverse backgrounds, strong dedication, and a passion for learning and compassionate care. Throughout their training, they receive expert mentorship, hands-on experience across multiple specialties, and opportunities to grow as clinicians, educators and leaders. We are proud to support their journey toward becoming skilled psychiatrists ready to meet the evolving needs of mental healthcare.

Training future psychiatrists at Tufts Medical Center in Boston

Our residency program thrives because of the dedication and expertise of our faculty, residents and staff. We are proud to have a diverse team of educators and clinicians committed to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Our attending psychiatrists bring a wealth of clinical experience across adult, child, geriatric, addiction and forensic psychiatry. They are passionate about teaching and mentoring residents to develop strong clinical skills, critical thinking and compassionate care.

Residents come from varied backgrounds and bring unique perspectives that enrich the program. We encourage collaboration, respect and professional growth at every stage of training.

Support staff, including social workers, nurse practitioners, psychologists and administrative teams, play an essential role in ensuring smooth patient care and resident education.

Together, our people create a vibrant community focused on excellence in psychiatric training and patient-centered care.