An essential component of an outstanding program is a focus on the education and professional development of new surgeons. We believe that training new surgeons is critical to ensure quality physicians care for future generations. New surgeons bring new ideas and knowledge allowing us to continually improve the care that is provided to our patients. At SCI Thoracic Surgery, we provide teaching and experience to a Thoracic and Foregut Fellow (a qualified surgeon wanting to further specialize) and to Swedish’s General Surgery Residency Program (physicians in all stages of training).
SCI Thoracic Surgery has established a unique and exceptional one year fellowship in thoracic surgery. The roots of the fellowship lie in the esophageal research promoted by Dr. Lucius Hill, the surgical innovator who devised the Hill Repair to treat medically resistant gastroesophageal reflux disease. Over the years the fellowship has expanded from being primarily focused on research in esophageal physiology to a well-rounded thoracic training program whose goal is to prepare surgeons to critically evaluate and confidently treat both benign and malignant conditions of the esophagus and pulmonary system.
A fellow in the Swedish Thoracic Program is exposed to a broad range of pathology in the thorax including: primary and secondary cancers of the lung, mesothelioma, mediastinal and chest wall lesions, esophageal cancer, severe acid reflux disease, hiatal hernia and esophageal motility disorders. Ours is a tertiary care institution which provides an ideal blend of ‘bread and butter” cases as well as complex management dilemmas to adequately prepare our fellow to be a technically competent, mature surgeon. Our focus on minimally invasive surgical technique further complements the strengths of the program and reflects our commitment to being leaders and innovators in the field of thoracic surgery. Graduates will be comfortable performing flexible and rigid bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, managing airway obstruction, performing open pneumonectomy, open and thoracoscopic lobectomy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a variety of anti-reflux operations, and esophagectomy, with a significant amount of training in the thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approaches to each.
Engaging in clinical research is a valuable component of the educational process. Ample opportunity is provided for research projects, and the fellow is expected to initiate and complete a project with the hope of publication and presentation at a regional or national meeting.
Training is tailored to each fellow based on prior experience and structured to meet that individual’s professional goals. Our program is ideal for the surgeon who has completed:
Qualified, interested candidates who have completed a minimum of a five year surgical training program are encouraged to contact Dr. Brian Louie at (206) 215-6800 for further information.
The Swedish Medical Center General Surgery Residency Training Program, based on the medical center’s First Hill campus near downtown Seattle, Washington, was established in 1958. The program is dedicated to quality surgical education in a private hospital setting, emphasizing a close collegial relationship between attending surgeon and resident. The program offers broad clinical experience in the diverse areas of general surgery as well as wide exposure to multiple surgical subspecialties.
All of the thoracic surgeons participate as faculty in the General Surgery Training Program. Senior residents participate on our service for a total of 3 months during their third and fourth years. The resident is an integral part of our service. They are encouraged to evaluate patients both in the hospital and in the clinic setting. Patients may encounter our resident team member during all phases of their care: from the clinic meeting, during the operation, in the hospital and during the post-operative visits.
For more information call Elana Ross at (206) 215-4251 or Bruce Carman at (206) 386-2123 Email: Elana.Ross@Swedish.org and Bruce.Carman@Swedish.org.
