Surgeon Scientist Training in Cardiac Diseases

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ABSTRACT The goal of this new T32 post-doctoral training grant is to prepare the next generation of exceptional surgeon- scientists to tackle the most pressing scientific questions in adult and pediatric cardiovascular diseases. Given the decline in the number of cardiovascular surgeons conducting research, there is a critical need to provide foundational research training for aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon-scientists to: (1) advance the rigor and specialty-specific context of cardiac surgical research and policy and (2) establish thought leaders who positively advance clinical care and outcomes within cardiac surgery. The goal of the Surgeon Scientist Training in Cardiac Diseases (SSTCD) is to provide cardiac surgery residents with training in basic, translational, and clinical/health services research to foster their development into independent surgeon-scientists. The University of Michigan (UM) is uniquely positioned to train promising surgeon-scientists in adult and pediatric cardiovascular disease research given its extramurally funded cardiac surgery basic, translational, and clinical/health services research laboratories; Frankel Cardiovascular Center and Congenital Heart Center; and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The SSTCD’s Director (Dr. Chen) and the two Associate-Directors (Drs. Ailawadi and Likosky) have ongoing funded laboratories examining various aspects of cardiovascular disease-related conditions across this translational research continuum. We will recruit surgeon-scientist trainees in the midst of their clinical residency, with each trainee choosing between a basic/translational research track or a clinical/ health services research track that meets their interests and training needs. Program oversight will be provided by a Steering Committee (for overall program function), individual trainee Mentoring Committees (similar to a thesis committee), and an Internal and External Advisory Board. The Program is composed of four areas: (1) A Mentor-Guided Research Experience - trainees will work on a broad range of basic/translational or clinical/health services research topics in a collaborative atmosphere; (2) Didactic Training – trainees will learn life and leadership skills, responsible conduct of research, epidemiology, and cardiovascular biology; (3) Academic Productivity – trainees will put their training into practice by participating in research seminar series, presentations at monthly research-in-progress series, an annual departmental “Resident Research Day”, presentations at national conferences, and peer-reviewed publications and; (4) Program Evaluation – our multi- faceted approach will ensure that our program meets the evolving needs of future trainees. We expect our new training program will lead to a cadre of exceptionally trained young surgeon-scientists who will pursue cutting- edge research to become mentors and leaders in the field.