Ochsner has a long history of performing surgery and training residents in Louisiana. After Hurricane Katrina the Thoracic Residency was voluntarily closed; however, the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Department of Surgery at Ochsner are now extremely pleased and proud to again make Thoracic Surgery training a part of our institution and available in Louisiana.

Ochsner Health is one of the largest fully integrated independent academic health care delivery systems in the nation, having 500,000 unique patients and greater than one million clinic visits annually. Ochsner owns and operates a 459-bed tertiary and quaternary teaching hospital, Ochsner Medical Center, which is the site of our Thoracic Surgery.

This is currently a traditional two year training program available to individuals who have completed five years of accredited training in General Surgery. Our residents receive extensive and comprehensive exposure and training in all aspects of cardiac, thoracic and congenital surgery.

Program Scope

The discipline of Thoracic Surgery continues to change and evolve. At Ochsner our residents have the opportunity to pursue excellent training in all aspects of this broad discipline and may choose to concentrate in either cardiac or thoracic surgery during their two years. We encourage trainees to choose the track that suits them and are able to accommodate changes in their curriculum as they matriculate. The program is designed as a complete operative experience with emphasis on clinical academics and study to prepare trainees for the examination for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery Certificate.