Surgery

Education

Training tomorrow’s leaders in thoracic surgery

At UCLA, the Division of Thoracic Surgery offers exceptional training grounded in academic rigor, hands-on experience, and groundbreaking research. Our programs prepare future surgeons to lead with skill, innovation, and compassion—whether in academic medicine or clinical practice.

General surgery residency

Residents interested in thoracic surgery benefit from world-class clinical exposure and collaborative research opportunities within one of the nation’s top academic medical centers.

Cardiac and thoracic research areas

Residents engage in high-impact research focused on:

  • Adult, congenital, and transplant cardiac disease
  • National clinical trials in thoracic oncology
  • Electrophysiology, including minimally invasive stellate ganglionectomy
  • Extracorporeal life support (ECLS/ECMO)
  • Innovation and device development (Bluetooth-enabled monitoring tools, ventilator-splitting systems, 3D-printed cardiac models, and other miniaturized cardiopulmonary technologies)
  • Health services and policy research

Thoracic surgery rotations

Residents complete rotations on the thoracic surgery service at UCLA, gaining experience in minimally invasive, robotic, and open procedures. These rotations emphasize evidence-based practice, technical excellence, and multidisciplinary care.

Thoracic surgery fellowship

The ACGME-accredited Thoracic Surgery Fellowship at UCLA is a two-year program designed to prepare fellows for leadership in both academic and community practice settings.

Surgical rotations

  • Cardiac surgery at UCLA – 6 months/year
  • Thoracic surgery at UCLA – 3 months/year
  • Cardiac and thoracic surgery at the West LA VA – 3 months/year

Surgical case volume and operative experience

Each fellow participates in over 2,000 annual cases, including:

  • Adult cardiac and thoracic surgeries
  • Congenital heart procedures
  • Robotic mitral valve repairs
  • Heart and lung transplants
  • Mechanical circulatory support devices

Fellows also attend weekly Morbidity and Mortality conferences and interdisciplinary teaching sessions. Upon completion, fellows are board-eligible for thoracic surgery certification through the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS).