Cardiothoracic anesthesia fellows are trained in TEE with a formal lecture series, clinical teaching, weekly echo rounds, and use of a TEE simulator. Fellows are required to maintain logs of TEE exams performed and reviewed. The TEE experience and training provided will prepare fellows to take the National Board of Echocardiography Examination of Special Competence in Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (Advanced PTEeXAM®) and meet the requirements for Advanced PTEeXAM certification. Our cardiac anesthesia fellows are trained in assessment and reprogramming of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) throughout the program. Didactic lectures and hands-on experience with training software are used in addition to clinical teaching to develop expertise in device management.We invite applications for our ACGME-accredited one-year clinical fellowship in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. The focus of the fellowship includes developing expertise in clinical cardiac and thoracic anesthesiology, perioperative transesophageal (TEE) and transthoracic (TTE) echocardiography, electrophysiology, and research. Fellows gain extensive expertise with robotic cardiac surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacements, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, hybrid procedures, and electrophysiologic procedures. UCLA offers a unique clinical mix of patients including adults with acquired heart disease, heart and lung transplants, and an active assist device program. About 70 percent of cardiac surgery patients are adults, and 30 percent pediatric. Nearly half of the pediatric cases are younger than one year of age.
Fellowship includes four dedicated months in the cardiac operating room, four months on the echocardiography service (TTE and TEE), one month in the Cardiothoriacic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), two weeks on perfusion, two weeks on thoracic anesthesiology, two months of research, and one month of vacation. Fellows are expected to learn research methodology and study design, and often present at national meetings. Ongoing research opportunities in echocardiography (2D and 3D strain imaging; TTE), electrophysiology, and arrhythmia management are available. Didactic sessions include an extensive lecture series in TEE, weekly echocardiography rounds, monthly journal clubs, congenital cardiac anesthesiology conferences, and a research lecture series.
We currently offer four fellowship positions per year and utilize the SF Match.
For your convenience here is the SF Match home page: http://www.sfmatch.org
For additional information, please contact the Fellowship Coordinator, Lucine Torosian, either by phone at (310) 267-8653 or via email at [email protected].
See also: Application Process
Dr. Grewe and her husband, Christopher
Hometown: Portland, OR
Undergraduate: Pomona College, BA Chemistry
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Residency: Anesthesiology, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University
Fellowship: Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Why I chose UCLA: Because of the case complexity and high transplant volume, UCLA is one of the few institutions in the country with both excellent ICU and cardiac anesthesia programs. The attendings I met on my interview day were engaged and dynamic. I sensed a good culture and fast paced learning environment.
Dr. Kasey Grewe is on our combined Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship track. She completed her Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine fellowship training and is with us a second year for her Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship training. When not in the ICU or the OR, Dr. Grewe enjoys cycling, surfing, and cooking.
Dr. Smith
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergraduate: Ohio State University, BS Biology with Pre-Med Concentration, minor in Sociology
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Residency: Anesthesiology, UCSF School of Medicine
Why I chose UCLA: I chose UCLA to work with a group of outstanding team members to provide cutting edge, patient-centered clinical excellence in cardiothoracic anesthesia. After growing up in the Midwest, the weather is also a huge bonus!
Dr. Stewart Smith knew that he wanted to go into Anesthesiology by the time he finished the 7th Grade. He went on to complete 9 years of clinical research in anesthesiology at Ohio State. He also played division 1 football for The Ohio State Buckeyes. After walking on and earning a scholarship, he earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors at Linebacker under Urban Meyer. He has also pursued interests in entrepreneurship, mixed martial arts, and is an avid car enthusiast.
Dr. Tien and his wife, Audris
Hometown: Walnut, CA
Undergraduate: UCSD, BS Biochemistry & Cell Biology, minor in Psychology
Medical School: Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Residency: Anesthesiology, Stanford School of Medicine
Why I chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship for three main reasons: 1) the faculty, 2) the clinical and educational experience, and 3) the location. The faculty are incredibly smart, well-respected, and renowned experts in the subspecialty, but at the same time are down-to-earth, easy to work with, and passionate about teaching and mentorship. The fellowship experience is unique in that there is great balance all around – we split our time between supervising residents in the operating room, doing our own cases, and performing echocardiography in the operating room, cardiac cath lab, intensive care unit, and various other perioperative settings. There is also protected time each week dedicated to fellow lectures, journal clubs, and echo rounds to supplement this diverse clinical experience. And lastly, UCLA’s geographic location in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles is something that just can’t be beat! There is something to do for everyone.
Dr. Michael Tien was born and raised in Southern California and has lived in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Some of his hobbies include traveling (pre-COVID), improving his golfing skills, and trying out new restaurants. He is also enjoys watching and playing basketball and is a fan of the Lakers.
Dr. Wang
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Undergraduate: UC Berkeley, BS Bioengineering
Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
Residency: Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Why I chose UCLA: UCLA provides unparalleled care to its patients - everywhere you look, you are surrounded by clinicians who are the top experts in their field. To be able to train under these individuals is already an immense honor, but what I appreciate most is the kindness and compassion that the UCLA community cultivates. I wake up excited to come to work every day not only because UCLA has exceptional mentors who teach me how to take the best care of my patients, but also because I am able to do all of this alongside individuals who are not only my teammates, but also my friends. Working with this exceptional group of anesthesiologists, surgeons, cardiologists, PAs, NPs, perfusionists, nurses and techs makes even the most challenging days feel fulfilled and meaningful.
Dr. Libby Wang served as one of the Chief Residents during her Anesthesiology residency training at UCLA and is very excited to stay at UCLA for her fellowship training. Dr. Wang’s hobbies and interests include baking cookies, listening to podcasts, and scuba diving abroad (Bali is her favorite location!).
