Thoracic Surgery Fellowship
Carolinas Medical Center’s Thoracic Surgery Fellowship is an ACGME accredited 2-year program, dedicated to producing exceptional clinicians both in and out of the operating room, as well as educating the next generation of leaders in Cardiothoracic surgery.
Our cardiac surgery program has earned prestigious three-star ratings from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) a cumulative 45 times, demonstrating consistent quality and placing our program in the top 10-15% in the United States and Canada.
Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute is the region’s most comprehensive and experienced cardiovascular institute, top 10 in heart transplants nationwide, and a leader in robotic surgery. Our locations include Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health Cabarrus, and Atrium Health Pineville, named among IBM Watson’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals for 4 years in a row.
Message from our Program Director
|
At the Carolinas Medical Center and Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, we are proud to offer a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship that reflects our unwavering commitment to world-class quality, education, innovation, and research - delivered in partnership with Wake Forest University School of Medicine and supported by the extensive resources of Atrium Health. Our distinguished faculty are leaders across the full spectrum of cardiothoracic surgery - including general thoracic, congenital cardiac, and acquired cardiac - with expertise in advanced techniques such as robotics, mechanical circulatory support, cardiac transplantation, and comprehensive perioperative care. Further, we recognize that every fellow’s journey is unique, which is why our program is designed with flexibility and personalization at its core, ensuring that your training aligns with your individual goals while preparing you to excel as a future leader in the field.
- Kevin Lobdell, MD |
|
Training
|
Training will primarily take place at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, level 1 trauma center, regional aortic care center, and the largest research hospital in the region. The facility features 874 beds, 32 operating rooms, and 14 adult/10 pediatric dedicated cardiothoracic intensive care beds managed by board certified intensivists.
|
 |
 |
Atrium Health Pineville is a 307-bed major healthcare hub named among IBM Watson’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals for 4 years in a row, providing a higher level of care than any other hospital in the area. This location will offer fellows exposure to a private practice model. |
|
Atrium Health Cabarrus is a regional 457 bed, not-for-profit medical center located in Concord, NC. The facility offers a variety of practice models including community-based practice, performing general cardiac surgeries. |
 |
Faculty/Meet the Faculty
 |
Kevin W. Lobdell, MD
Education |
 |
John R. Frederick, MD
Education |
 |
Jeffrey Hagen, MD |
 |
Shuddhadeb Ray, MD, MPHS |
 |
Thomas S. Maxey, MD Education
|
 |
Michael Roach, MD |
 |
Larry Watts, MD |
 |
Christopher Cicci, MD |
 |
Robert P. Davis, MD, PhD Accolades/Certifications
|
 |
Bradley LeNoir, MD, MBA |
 |
David R. Hobson, MD |
 |
Eric Skipper, MD |
 |
Sabin Joseph Bozso, MD, PhD Education
|
 |
Mark E. Roeser, MD |
 |
Mark B. Mitchell, MD
|
Program Curriculum
The program will have one resident per year with rotations through all three clinical disciplines in the first year of training to include general thoracic, adult cardiac, and congenital cardiac surgery. The curriculum is divided into three possible tracks; Cardiothoracic, Cardiac, and General Thoracic. The curricula will provide weighted experiences towards the specialty of the applicant’s choice. |
|
Clinical
Residents will be exposed to the full breath of cardiac and thoracic procedures at the highest complexity and will be intimately involved in all aspects of patient care. This includes pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative settings. Under the supervision of faculty members, residents will have responsibility for the total care of the patient, including pre-operative evaluations and timing of interventions. |
|
Clinical Exposure (including but not limited to)
- Complex congenital cardiac surgery
- Complex aortic surgery
- Acute aortic dissection interventions
- Heart transplantation
- ECMO
- Ventricular assist device implantation
- Minimally invasive valve and coronary artery bypass grafting procedures
- Investigational and commercially approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures
- Catheter-based mitral interventions
- Arrhythmia surgery
- Robotic assisted thoracic and foregut procedures
- Advanced bronchoscopy and foregut endoscopy
Collaboration
|
Residents will collaborate with other clinicals teams describing patient presentation and procedure in detail to include any complications and the projected postoperative course. Residents will participate in morning rounds with the attending surgeon and ICU team allowing continuous assessment and feedback. As residents become more experienced, they will be given more autonomy in this group setting. Residents will participate in weekly conferences dictated by their current rotation that are designed to be interactive with input from faculty and residents.
|
 |
Application Requirements
The Thoracic Surgery fellowship is a two-year program with the admission of 1 fellow per year.
All applicants must have completed a general surgery program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Applications are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Our program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Application Materials
- Completed at least three years of an ACGME (AOA, RCPSC, or CFPC) accredited residency program by start date
- Completed application through ERAS
- Three letters of recommendation, including one from the Residency Training Director
- USMLE and/or COMLEX transcripts/scores
- Official ECFMG Status Reports for all international medical graduates
- USA Citizenship, Permanent Resident Status, or J1
- Medical school transcripts
- Medical school Dean's letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement
Thank you for your interest in the Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Susan Kullstam.
Unique Educational Opportunities
The Pearl – IRCAD & Wake Forest School of Medicine Charlotte
|
IRCAD North America is one of only nine state-of-the-art international hubs for world-class surgical training and research, with its home and partnership located with Atrium Health Charlotte. Wake Forest School of Medicine Charlotte offers academic resources and exposure to both our fellows and faculty. |
 |
|
|
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Advanced Care Facility
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Advanced Care Facility will be a new state-of-the-art tower expansion to the hospital that will further expand patient care within the region. |
Expanding Global Heart Care Through Innovation and Partnership
Atrium Health’s International Medical Outreach program, in partnership with the Heineman-Robicsek Foundation, is advancing cardiovascular care in underserved regions by empowering local providers through training, technology, and collaboration. Through the Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, Atrium Health has helped establish cardiac surgery programs across Central America—an initiative originally led by Dr. Francis Robicsek. The team has supported the first heart transplant in Costa Rica and continues to make monthly trips to Belize, where they help operate the country’s only cardiac surgery program.