Web Address
Accepting applications in the 2026-2027 application cycle
Yes
Survey Received
Program start dates
August
Participates in ERAS®
Yes
Special Features
Training in Cardiac and Thoracic surgery has a had long tradition at Vanderbilt. From the 1930s to the present, Vanderbilt has been a pioneering and proudly academic medical center. At its center is the notion that we are building modern cardiothoracic surgery, and fundamental to this is training residents. As you explore training at Vanderbilt, we hope you recognize our broad clinical experience, world-class faculty and ultimately a unique preparation for the future.
Total Program Size
2
2
2
Program best described as
University-based
Requires previous GME
Yes
If Yes, indicate the required number of years of previous GME
5
Participates in the Main Match of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)
Yes
Participates in the Advanced or Fellowship Match of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)
No
Interviews conducted last year for first year positions
21
Interview period 2026-2027
-
Applicants may interview remotely via video conferencing
No
Osteopathic Recognition
No
Visa Status
J-1 visa sponsorship through ECFMG
Part-time Paid Physicians
0
Part-time Paid Non-Physician
0
Avg. hrs/wk on duty during first year (including patient care, all call, night float, research, conferences, etc)
80
Maximum consecutive hours on duty during first year (excluding beeper call)
28
Average number of 24-hour off duty periods per week during first year
1.00
Program allows moonlighting (beyond GY1)
No
Night float system
No
Avg hours/week of scheduled structured didactic activities
5
Training at hospital outpatient clinics during 1st year
15
Training during 1st year in ambulatory non-hospital community-based settings, e.g., physician offices, community clinics
999
Offers additional training or educational experience beyond accredited length
No
Special Tracks
Other
Resident/Fellow Evaluations
Portfolio system
Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
Program Evaluation
Aggregate resident Milestone achievements
Graduates’ board certification pass rates
Performance-based assessment scores (e.g. OSCE, patient or computer simulations)
Policy prohibits hiring smokers/users of nicotine products
No
Major medical insurance for residents
Resident Shares Cost
Major medical insurance for dependents
Resident Shares Cost
Major medical insurance for domestic partners
Resident Shares Cost
Outpatient mental health insurance
Resident Shares Cost
Inpatient mental health insurance
Resident Shares Cost
Group life insurance
Resident Shares Cost
Dental insurance
Resident Shares Cost
Disability insurance
Resident Shares Cost
Disability insurance for occupationally-acquired HIV
Fully Paid by Institution
Maximum number of paid days for family/medical leave
12
Maximum number of unpaid days for family/medical leave
84
Primary teaching site
Research rotation
Not available
Research rotation duration
0
Resident participates during first year
No
Program ID
4604731089
Beeper or Home Call
17
17
17
Program Director
First Name
Tarek
Last Name
Absi
Degrees
MD
Address
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dept of Cardiac Surgery
5025 Medical Center East 121521st Ave S
Nashville, TN 37232-0001
United States
Phone
Email Address
Geolocation
POINT (-86.80107 36.142344)
Person to contact for more information about the program
First Name
Bailee
Middle Name
Nicole
Last Name
Fisher
Address
Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr
Sect of Surgical Sciences 4th Fl
Medical Center North
Nashville, TN 37232-4682
United States
Phone
Email Address
Geolocation
POINT (-86.801426 36.143988)
Salary paid by a non-profit institution
Yes
% USMD
100.00
% IMG
0.00
% DO
0.00
% Female
33.30
% Male
66.70
Total Physician
19
Total Non Physician
24
Percentage of full-time paid female physician faculty
10.50
Ratio of full-time equivalent paid faculty to positions
3.20
Call Schedule
| Frequency | Duration | Weeks/Months | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 0 | ||
| Year | 0 | ||
| Year | 0 |
Graduate year statistics
| Salary | Paid Vacation | Sick Leave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Year 2 | |||
| Year 3 | |||
| Year 4 | |||
| Year 5 | |||
| Year 6 | $87,769 | 15 | 12 |
| Year 7 | $90,841 | 15 | 12 |
| Year 8 | $94,021 | 15 | 12 |
| Year 9 | $97,311 | 15 | 12 |
| Year 10 | $100,717 | 15 | 12 |
Total Positions
6
Participates in San Francisco match
No
Participates in another matching program
No
Program Offers
On-site child care
Free parking
On-call meal allowance
iPads, tablets, etc., or technology allowance
Placement assistance upon completion of program into practice, fellowship or academia
PGY1 applicants to this program must have graduated from medical school within the past number of years
10
Medical education gap
Clinical experience only in the US
August Start Date
1
Not applicable
0
Applicants must have passed Step 1 to be considered
No
Applicants must have passed Step 2 to be considered
No
DO applicants must have passed Level 1 to be considered
No
DO applicants must have passed Level 2 to be considered
No
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Information on the program's leave policies
https://www.vumc.org/cardiacsurgerydept/residency-education
First Year Positions
2
Residency CAS
Off
Applicant Interview Format
In person
Required Letters Min
3
Letter from a department chair
Off
Letter(s) from someone within the specialty (e.g., faculty, attending)
On
Required supplemental information
Off
Military Match
Off
SAU/AU Match (i.e., Urology Match)
Off
U.S. MD Applicants must have passed USMLE Step 1 to be considered
On
U.S. MD Applicants must have passed USMLE Step 2 to be considered
On
IMG Applicants Must have Passed USMLE Step 1 to be considered
On
IMG Applicants Must have Passed USMLE Step 2 to be considered
On
U.S. DO Applicants must have passed COMLEX Level 1 to be considered
On
U.S. DO Applicants must have passed COMLEX Level 2 to be considered
On
U.S. DO Applicants must have passed USMLE Step 1 to be considered
On
U.S. DO Applicants must have passed USMLE Step 2 to be considered
On
Central Application
Off
Application service release date
True
Specialty Universal Dates
Off
Open House
On
Second Look
On
Does not offer open house or second look
Off
Program Director
On
Physician preceptor at an away rotation
Off
Other letters
Off
Categorical positions
Off
Primary Care Positions
Off
Preliminary Positions
Off
PGY1 Air Force Positions
Off
PGY1 Army positions
Off
PGY1 Navy positions
Off
PGY1 Service Agnostic positions
Off
Advanced positions
Off
Reserved positions
Off
PGY-2 Air force positions
Off
PGY-2 Army positions
Off
PGY-2 Navy positions
Off
PGY-2 Service agnostic positions
Off
Are USMLE questions required or not
On
None, direct to program
Off
No PGM Match
Off
PGY-1 positions reserved for entering residents
Off