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Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship Program

The Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship provides an outstanding broad-based education in cardiothoracic surgery, including the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and general thoracic disease, and the value of our specialty in the interdisciplinary approach to patient care.

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery group photo.

Message from the Program Director

Paul Linsky, MDThe Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship encompasses both medical and surgical approaches to cardiothoracic diseases. The training program involves rotations at the three affiliated hospitals: Froedtert Hospital, Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, and Children’s Wisconsin. We are dedicated to our fellows’ success and professional fulfillment and believe in helping each fellow achieve his or her fullest potential.


Paul Linsky, MD

 

 

About Our Program

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Program Highlights
  • Annual surgical volumes
    • > 1000 adult and congenital cardiovascular procedures
    • 600 general thoracic procedures, including > 40 esophagectomies
  • Robust thoracic robotic program
  • Two new hybrid cardiovascular surgical suites
  • Weekly conferences
  • Busy heart failure program including ECMO, VAD, transplantation
  • Full APP staffing for clinic and inpatient coverage
  • Department of Surgery Newsletters
Program Details

The MCW Cardiothoracic Fellowship is a 24-month ACGME accredited program (listed as Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program) focusing on the complete evaluation and treatment of all aspects of cardiothoracic disease. This fellowship is a well-structured, mentored program that will involve a diversified experience, including all aspects of general thoracic surgery (including robotic surgery), adult cardiac surgery (aortic surgery, coronary bypass, valvular heart disease including TAVR, mitral valve repair and TMVR), mechanical circulatory support (VAD and ECMO), and congenital cardiothoracic surgery.

The clinical programs of our division are broken up into three traditional categories: Adult Cardiac Surgery, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, and General Thoracic Surgery. Some overlap of faculty exists among the three subspecialties, but they tend to function autonomously. Our goal is to educate and train future academic and clinical leaders in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

This is a formal educational program in the art and science of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

  • Clinical teaching occurs daily in the OR, Clinics, & Surgical Wards
  • Academic Conferences are held weekly, as well as M&M and tumor board conferences
  • The faculty is comprised of 12 Full-time board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeons
  • Fellows attend regional and national conferences
Application Information

Eligibility Criteria

  • To be eligible to enter the fellowship, candidates must have successfully completed five years of an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency program and be eligible for examination by the American Board of Surgery
  • Completion of training in one of the following programs
    • ACGME-accredited residency program
    • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited or College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)-accredited residency program located in Canada.
    • AOA-approved residency program.

Application Process

Applications are accepted only through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) hosted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)

MCWAH Thoracic Surgery ERAS Program ID: 4605600102

Applications should include:

  1. CV
  2. Three letters of recommendation
  3. USMLE Scores
  4. Medical School Transcripts
  5. Personal Statement
  6. Photo

Applicants chosen for interview will be notified by the program coordinator via email.

Meet the Faculty

Learn more about the Faculty of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Cardiothoracic Surgery Faculty

Congenital Heart Surgery Faculty

Fellowship

Current:

Austin Rogers, MD
2022-2024
Austin Rogers, MD

Britton Donato, MD, MPH
2023-2025
Britton Donato, MD, MPH

Future:
2024-2026
Marjan Alimi, MD

Previous:
2021-2023
Joshua Melamed, MD
Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Mount Sinai, South Nassau - Oceanside, New York

I-6 Integrated Cardiothoracic Residency 2011-2017

Ghulum Murtaza – Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin, now Cardiac Surgery, St. Mary’s Madison

Moritz Wyler Von Ballmoos – Advanced fellowship at Duke, now Cardiac Surgery at Methodist in Houston

Mohammed Algahim – Advanced fellowship at Duke and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Pediatric & Congenital Cardiac Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center

Carlos Encarnacion – Completed fellowship at Maryland, now Cardiac Surgery at Houston Heart

Elizabeth Colwell – Completed fellowship at Stanford, now Thoracic Surgery at Aurora in Milwaukee

Bart Imelski – Completing fellowship at Northwestern, Thoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic Fellowship Program 2006-2008

Elizabeth Butler – PIMA Heart and Vascular, Tucson, AZ

Rammohan Marla – Cancer Treatment of America, Phoenix, AZ


Benefits

The Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals and the Department of Surgery provide extensive benefits.

Contract and Health Benefits
All Medical College of Wisconsin fellows’ contract and benefits are provided by the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH).

  • Vacation
    Each fellow receives 15 days of vacation per year.
  • CME Conference Time
    Each fellow receives 5 days to attend CME conference(s) per year.
  • Educational Conferences
    Protected time is given one morning per week for didactics.
  • Educational Funds
    Department funds designated for fellowship education can be used towards the purchase of educational materials, expenses for educational conferences, and equipment that supports the education process, such as lead and loupes.
  • Parking
    Complimentary parking is offered at all locations.
  • Meals
    On-call meals are provided.
  • Lab Coats
    Lab coats and laundry service are provided to all fellows.
Campus Life

Medical College of Wisconsin

Why become a fellow at MCW

As a major academic medical center, and the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area, the Medical College of Wisconsin is a distinguished leader in the advanced training of physicians, researchers, pharmacists and health professionals. Together with its top-tier partner institutions, the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals (MCWAH) puts you at the forefront of advancement that’s improving the vitality of society.

Milwaukee Campus

Housing Information

Our Team

David Johnstone, MD

David W. Johnstone, MD
Associate Director

Rebecca Teller

Rebecca Teller
Education Program Coordinator III

Shirley Geurtsen

Shirley Geurtsen
Program Coordinator

Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 955-6904
sgeurtse@mcw.edu

 

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