Dear colleagues and prospective residents,

Welcome to Rush University Medical Center and the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Residency Training Program. We are very excited about the innovative programs and training opportunities here at Rush with the evolution of our minimally invasive thoracic surgery program. As you may be aware, Dr. Michael Liptay and Dr. Anthony Kim joined the department with expertise in minimally invasive thoracic surgical procedures and this is having an extraordinary impact on our training program. We now have a thoracic and a cardiac track. Dr. Liptay is recognized as one of the most highly accomplished and busiest thoracic surgeons in the Chicago area specializing in minimally invasive approaches to the management of thoracic disease. Our thoracic surgical program continues to lead the region with Dr. Anthony Kim and Dr. William Warren who also provide extraordinary comprehensive thoracic surgical care in association with L. Penfield Faber, MD, Professor Emeritus, making Rush one of the premier thoracic surgery centers in the Midwest.

As a resident, you will be involved in exciting clinical programs including minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques such as video assisted lobectomy, an active mechanical circulatory support program and heart transplantation program utilizing the latest innovative mechanical support technologies including the VentraAssist Left Ventricular Assist Device, HeartMate II® Left Ventricular Assist Device and the CardioWest Total Artificial Heart. Each of these programs positions the Department of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery as a leader in the field and among the most well-developed, comprehensive, academic training programs in the region. We look forward to introducing you to this very exciting clinical and academic environment in the near future.

Sincerely,

Robert S. D. Higgins, MD, MSHA
The Mary and John Bent Professor and Chair
Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
Rush University Medical Center