Excellence in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery requires many skills and attributes.
  • A large body of information must be assimilated.
  • A variety of clinical and technical skills must be perfected.
  • The ability to judge and adapt to new technology must be fostered.
  • The treatment of patients with respect and high moral standards must never be compromised.

The UMKC School of Medicine's Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Residency is located at the Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Hospital. It is designed to provide:

  • Comprehensive training and competency in all aspects of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.
  • Progressive responsibility and active involvement in the diagnosis, evaluation, operative intervention of patients.
  • Postoperative management of patients with thoracic, vascular, and cardiac disease.
  • Close personal supervision of each resident's progress
  • A mutual commitment between both the residents and the teaching faculty to attain these ends.

The residency accepts qualified applicants who have successfully completed an accredited program in general surgery.

One (1) resident is selected yearly for the program.

Successful completion of training leads to eligibility for the certifying examination of The American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
“Under the guidance of the faculty members,
the residents are provided progressive responsibility
for the diagnosis, evaluation, operative care and post operative
management of the patients within the entire spectrum of
general thoracic and cardiovascular disorders.”