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Department of Surgery Department of Surgery
  1. Department of Surgery
  2. Divisions
  3. Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery
  4. Education

Cardiothoracic Surgery Training Programs

UC San Diego's Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery training programs are designed to train leaders in CT surgery. Our programs are directed by Patricia Thistlethwaite, M.D., Ph.D., a world authority in pulmonary hypertension research, and under the guidance of our chief, Michael Madani, M.D., an internationally-recognized expert in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE).

Mission Statement and Philosophy

The mission of the training program is to train cardiothoracic surgeons who provide compassionate, expert-level care to patients from all backgrounds in an engaging and benevolent environment.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI)

There is a strong commitment to DEI programs and initiatives at all levels of UC San Diego. Graduate Medical Education (GME) demonstrates this through grand rounds, journal clubs and teaching activities which are dedicated to topics that are widely relevant yet focused on salient and critical DEI issues.

At the university level, the Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence outlines three pillars for ensuring continued progress.

  1. Access and Success – Attract, retain, and support a diverse faculty, staff, and student body with the goal of reflecting California demographics and achieving institutional excellence at UC San Diego.
  2. Climate – Create and foster a positive and welcoming climate where we value, include, and support all at UC San Diego.
  3. Accountability – Ensure institutional accountability through UC San Diego departments and divisions.