Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship

The Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship at Children's National Hospital is a three-year training program (two years with one optional year) that is accepting two fellows. Ideal fellows will have an interest in developing a clinical and academic career specializing in neonatal and infant cardiac surgery, pediatric heart transplantation and ventricular assist devices.

During training, responsibilities will include delivering clinical excellence in and outside of the operating room, providing exemplary patient and family experiences, contributing to collaborative work culture and providing innovative care through research, clinical studies and trials. Fellows will have the option for an additional year of training if they have completed at least two years of previous related training and potentially acquire a faculty position at the Heart and Lung Center.

This is a great opportunity for fellows who are interested in training for pediatric cardiac surgery at Children’s National. U.S. News & World Report ranks Children's National among the top pediatric hospitals in the nation and one of the best hospitals for cardiology and cardiac surgery. In addition, our comprehensive training program has produced several leaders in the field of pediatric cardiac surgery.

How to Apply

Candidates that are interested in the Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship should email a letter of interest and their current curriculum vitae to Manan Desai, MD, director of VAD and Heart Transplant at Children's National.

Contact Information

To Apply to the Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship or for additional questions please contact Manan Desai, MD.

Call 202-476-1414 Email Manan Desai, MD

Explore Our Program

The Congenital Cardiac Surgery Fellowship provides training in all facets of congenital cardiac surgery. Learning is principally in the operating room, with didactic teaching sessions with all members of the attending surgical staff. In addition. fellows will provide support to the nurse practitioners who manage patients on the cardiac ward.

Clinical responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Inpatient and outpatient care in cardiac surgery service
Rounding in the ICU and other inpatient units
Thoracic organ procurement
Assistance with thoracic transplants and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and a wide variety of cardiothoracic and vascular surgical procedures

Fellows will participate in the management of patients in cardiovascular surgery service and thoracic transplant service in the ICU, other inpatient units and clinic. Fellows will be able to perform pediatric cardiac surgery procedures under the supervision of experienced cardiac surgeons in the field according to the fellowship education curriculum and depending on the division chief’s discretion. The goal of the mentors is to ensure that fellows progress surgically and academically during their tenure. Fellows will have in-house call /ECMO cannulation coverage.

Requirements for fellowship candidacy include:

Must have an MD or equivalent degree, completed medical school in the U.S. or Canada or be ECFMG certified if an international medical graduate. Preference will be given to applicants who have passed all three steps of USMLE.
Successful completion of a certified cardiothoracic surgical training program and/or pediatric cardiac fellowship.
Must be successfully able to obtain a District of Columbia unrestricted medical license prior to starting fellowship training.
BC/BE of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or equivalent (preferred).

Foreign applicants must have completed their national certification in cardiothoracic surgery and possess ECFMG certification. Preference will be given to applicants who have passed all three steps of USMLE.