Teaching opportunities + clinician-educator development in cardiothoracic anesthesiology

Teaching is a vital part of the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center. Fellows actively contribute to the academic growth of residents, medical students and other learners while developing their own skills as clinician-educators.

Fellows supervise and teach anesthesiology residents, medical students and sometimes nurse anesthesia trainees (SRNAs) during perioperative care. Although fellows primarily manage their own anesthetics, about 25 to 30 percent of their time is devoted to teaching in the operating room and intensive care unit.

To support the transition from learner to teacher, fellows participate in:

• Faculty-led mentorship focused on teaching strategies and learner engagement
• Workshops and feedback sessions to enhance communication, supervision and evaluation skills
• Opportunities to lead educational sessions such as journal clubs, morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences and departmental didactics

Fellows receive ongoing feedback on their teaching performance and are encouraged to reflect and refine their approach throughout the year. This focus on academic leadership ensures graduates leave well-prepared to provide excellent patient care and inspire the next generation of anesthesiologists.

Research training + scholarly opportunities in adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology

While the fellowship focuses primarily on advanced clinical skills, research and scholarly activity play a vital role in the training experience. Fellows are encouraged to pursue academic projects aligned with their interests, supported by structured mentorship and access to institutional resources.

Incoming fellows are invited to connect with Dr. Frederick Cobey before the program starts to discuss research ideas and opportunities. Throughout the year, fellows are expected to engage in scholarly work and present their findings at national conferences such as the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA), the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS), and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE).

Primary training sites + hospital affiliations for cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellows

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship is primarily based at Tufts Medical Center, a 415-bed tertiary care academic hospital located in downtown Boston. Tufts Medical Center offers a high-volume, complex clinical environment that supports comprehensive training in adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology.

In addition, fellows complete a one-month thoracic surgery rotation at the West Roxbury VA Medical Center, part of the VA Boston Healthcare System. This site provides exposure to a diverse veteran patient population and additional experience in thoracic anesthesiology and minimally invasive procedures.

These affiliations broaden clinical training and prepare fellows to manage a wide range of cardiothoracic cases across different healthcare settings.

Cardiothoracic anesthesiology lectures, conferences + leadership training

A strong academic foundation is central to the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center. Our fellows take part in a structured calendar of educational sessions, interdisciplinary meetings and leadership opportunities that deepen knowledge and prepare them for complex, high-acuity care.

Weekly and monthly conferences cover a wide range of clinical and academic topics in cardiac and thoracic anesthesia, echocardiography and perioperative medicine. Core sessions include:

• Cardiac Anesthesia Lecture Series
• Anesthesiology Grand Rounds
• ECMO Morbidity & Mortality and Case Reviews
• Structural Heart Team Meetings
• Boston Combined Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Echo Dinner

Fellows also take on leadership roles through scholarly presentations and teaching. They lead:

• Journal Club (every other month)
• Morbidity & Mortality case reviews (every other month)
• Two department-wide presentations focused on topics within critical care medicine

These opportunities help fellows grow as educators, collaborators and future leaders in the field.

Rotations + hands-on cardiothoracic anesthesiology training in Boston

The Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center is a 12-month, ACGME-accredited program based at our flagship academic hospital in downtown Boston. Fellows rotate through a well-balanced schedule that provides deep experience in cardiac, thoracic and critical care anesthesiology while supporting personalized career development.

The core rotation structure includes:

• Cardiac surgery – 6 months
• Thoracic surgery – 1 month
• Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) – 1 month
• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) – 1 month
• Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) – 1 month
• Electives – 2 months

Electives are highly customizable and can include advanced heart failure, perfusion, additional TEE/TTE training, or dedicated research time. Fellows work closely with program leadership to select rotations that align with their goals—whether they’re pursuing academic medicine, private practice or subspecialty training.

This structure promotes both progressive independence and multidisciplinary collaboration. Fellows actively lead perioperative care for high-risk cardiac patients and gain a comprehensive skill set in advanced cardiothoracic anesthesiology.

What clinical training do fellows receive in cardiothoracic anesthesiology?

Fellows in the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center receive immersive, hands-on training with consistent one-on-one faculty supervision. Clinical responsibilities are structured to support progressive autonomy, building both technical expertise and clinical confidence throughout the year.

From day one, fellows lead multidisciplinary rounds, deliver direct care, and perform high-level procedures. They also help supervise and teach residents and medical students, gaining valuable experience in education and teamwork.

Fellows work closely with cardiac surgery, heart failure and intensive care teams, building the clinical judgment needed for real-time, high-acuity decision-making. Over 12 months, fellows develop the skills to manage complex cardiac patients across a wide range of procedures—from routine adult cardiac surgeries to ventricular assist devices, structural heart interventions, thoracic cases and heart transplants.

Tufts Medical Center is among the most active heart transplant centers in New England, with nationally recognized programs in heart failure and mechanical circulatory support. Fellows benefit from a high-volume, high-complexity case mix that prepares them to confidently practice in both academic and private settings.

Tailored curriculum + high-acuity cardiac case experience in a structured fellowship year

Fellows in the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center follow a carefully structured curriculum that builds both technical and clinical expertise. The training year includes dedicated rotations in cardiac operating rooms, cardiothoracic intensive care, electrophysiology, structural heart and echocardiography. Fellows care for high-acuity adult patients with advanced heart disease, gaining experience with heart failure, mechanical circulatory support and complex reoperative surgery.

The educational curriculum includes weekly didactics, case-based conferences, multidisciplinary rounds and board review sessions. Echocardiography training is a core component, with time set aside for both TEE and TTE interpretation, image acquisition and exam prep. Fellows work toward Advanced TEE certification and are supported through structured review sessions and access to expert mentors.

Fellows take graded calls with 24/7 faculty backup and are encouraged to grow into independent consultants throughout the year. A balance of autonomy and guidance helps build leadership, communication and decision-making skills in and out of the OR.

Elective time allows fellows to tailor the experience to their goals, with options for additional training in perfusion, heart failure, research or other academic interests.