The goal of this four-week elective is to enable students to develop a proficiency in the approach to and perioperative management of advanced cardiac surgery with a major focus on cardiac disease, including coronary artery disease, aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease and thoracic aortic disease often encountered.

It is offered at the VA WNY Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) and the student will be placed on the cardiac surgery service and will work with all principal attendings.

This advanced internship is designed for a student who has developed a possible career interest in cardiac surgery. It is designed as a tutorial in the strategies of decision making and management of the cardiac surgery patient population. The course covers the preoperative assessment, intraoperative techniques and post-operative care of the diverse patient population cared for by the cardiac surgery service at VAWNYHS. The students will work closely with residents, fellows and attending staff. All are integrated into the health care team and serve as sub-interns.

All students are required to attend Department of Surgery grand rounds, M&M conferences, and any multidisciplinary conferences as assigned by the faculty which will include presentations. There is no in-house night call requirement or home call expected. Upon completion of this sub-internship, the student will have acquired a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic skills, as well as the cognitive knowledge to care for a broad range of patients and pathologies cared for by the cardiac surgery service at VAWNYHS. 

MS3 must obtain permission from the course coordinator before registering

Prerequisite: MS4 or MS3 with successful completion of SUR700 

Modules: A-K (per Dr. Li's availability)  Blocks: 3 & 4 (per Dr. Li's availability)

Number of students: 1

Course Director: Carlos Li, MD

Course Coordinator: Gayle Thomson