Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship Program

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A twelve-month clinical fellowship in cardiac anesthesia is offered within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) / St. Boniface General Hospital Cardiac Sciences Program. This is a University of Manitoba affiliated program, administered through the Department of Anesthesia. With a caseload of approximately 1300 adult cardiac surgical procedures per year, consisting of all major open heart procedures (including ventricular assist devices) with the exclusion of cardiac transplantation, fellows are exposed to a broad range of cardiac surgical and anesthetic procedures, including extensive experience with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

The clinical core curriculum allows for some flexibility, but generally includes rotations consisting of:

  1. A minimum of 30 weeks of clinical Cardiac Anesthesia
  2. A minimum of 6 weeks of dedicated echocardiography (including 4 weeks in the Cardiology echo lab and 2 weeks in the operating room)
  3. 2 weeks of cardiology in the cath lab
  4. 1 week of clinical perfusion experience
  5. 4 to 8 weeks of post-cardiac surgery critical care
  6. 4 weeks of thoracic anesthesia
  7. 1 week paid conference leave
  8. 4 weeks of vacation time

In addition to the clinical experience (including TEE in every case) and one-on-one instruction that fellows receive in the operating room, a formal didactic program also exists with one dedicated academic day per week to allow lectures and other self-directed learning on key topics in Cardiac Anesthesia. In addition, a separate seminar series involving all Cardiac Sciences Program fellows (Cardiac Anesthesia, Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Critical Care) has also been established. Weekly journal clubs/rounds review pertinent literature in the Cardiac Sciences field, and this includes combined sessions with Cardiac Surgery.

Successful applicants will also experience a high level of training in perioperative echocardiography to successfully prepare them for the National Board of Echocardiography Perioperative Transesophageal Examination (PTEeXAM).

There are currently fourteen Cardiac Anesthesiologists on staff with advanced echo training. The intraoperative echo system is state of the art with digital workstations in every cardiac operating room. Separate rotations in the cardiology echo lab are also available. Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in a “wet lab” to review cardiac anatomy with a specific focus on valvular repair.

Research opportunities are available in the basic sciences and in ongoing clinical studies within the Cardiac Sciences Program.

Salary is competitive and requires only minimal participation in any non-cardiac cases. Participation in cardiac anesthesia call (from home) is mandatory.

Interested individuals should send their curriculum vitae and three reference letters to:

Fellowship Program Director: Mullein Thorleifson, MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba
Department of Anesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

St. Boniface General Hospital
L2035-409 Tache Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6

E-mail: mthorleifson@sbgh.mb.ca

Tel: 204-237-2580