The clinical environment at the Morrissey Family Heart & Vascular Institute is designed to support a high-volume, full-service cardiothoracic practice. The program performs approximately 600 combined cases per year and operates within a dedicated surgical infrastructure that includes advanced technology, robust APP support, and an integrated cardiac care continuum from diagnosis through rehabilitation.
The program operates out of St. Joseph's Medical Center's main surgical suite, which includes six operating rooms. Two are dedicated cardiovascular surgery suites, and one is a hybrid OR shared with the cardiac catheterization lab. The outpatient surgery center, located on campus and connected to the main hospital by a covered breezeway, provides additional OR capacity and is walkable from the surgical wing.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Main OR Suites | 6 total; 2 dedicated CV surgery suites |
| Hybrid OR | 1; shared with Cath Lab |
| Outpatient Surgery Center | On campus, breezeway access; managed by USPI |
| Robotic Systems | Da Vinci Xi and Da Vinci DV5 |
| Block Time | Half-day blocks via IQ scheduling system |
| Anesthesia | Contracted through Somnia |
| EMR | Oracle Cerner |
The program's primary focus is cardiac surgery, with access to thoracic and vascular cases available based on the candidate's training and interests. Advanced valve procedures are an active component of the program.
Cardiac surgery services include:
Additional scope available:
Cardiothoracic APPs are embedded in the program and provide first assist in the OR and post-operative coverage. Physicians are also supported by service line leads who maintain preference cards, coordinate instrument needs with scheduling, and communicate proactively with the surgical team ahead of each case.
Clinical support structure:
Call is structured as a 1:3 rotation and is compensated as part of the overall package. Clinic days are typically two days per week at the Dignity Health Medical Group multi-specialty clinic, located directly across from the hospital. The remainder of the physician's time is split between the main hospital ORs and the outpatient surgery center.
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Call Rotation | 1:3 |
| Clinic Days | ~2 days per week |
| Clinic Location | DHMF multi-specialty clinic, adjacent to SJMC campus |
| OR Scheduling System | IQ |
| Block Time | One half-day block assigned at onboarding; additional blocks based on volume |
St. Joseph's Medical Center has an active clinical research department and participates in cardiac trials both nationally and internationally. The hospital operates residency and fellowship programs across multiple specialties, and there is institutional interest in developing a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship program. Candidates with academic or teaching interests are well positioned within this environment.