Series date: 
09/17/2025 - 8:00am CDT to 06/24/2026 - 9:00am CDT
Location

Please check the individual session for location or broadcast availability.  

Frequency

Weekly

Series Director

Alexander Schutz, MD

Target Audience
This activity is designed for cardiothoracic surgery residents, fellows, and faculty.
Needs Statement
Trainees and faculty require a curriculum that blends guideline-based instruction with hands-on learning and self-directed study. Evidence supports that self-study and presentation programs  significantly enhance Thoracic Surgery In-Training Examination (TSITE) scores compared to passive lecture formats. Moreover, independent reading and faculty-guided discussions are more effective than cardiac-specific didactic sessions alone. Learners also  need exposure to real-world case reviews and wet labs to reinforce procedural knowledge and decision-making. The series aims to review the benefits and pitfalls of cardiothoracic surgery and identify evidence-based trends in cardiothoracic surgical treatments  in the medical literature. The series will also incorporate milestone tracking and exam preparation strategies, including review of exam questions and guideline updates, to meet both educational and clinical competency goals. The format of each session will  allow trainees to review and ask for more details about real-time surgical practices, as well as in-service exams. Ultimately, the series is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of learners to improve cardiothoracic surgical practice and patient outcomes.
Educational Methods

Educational methods will include lectures, literature review, and panel discussion.

Objectives

At the conclusion of the sessions, the participants should be able to:

  • Identify and integrate the latest clinical guidelines, surgical techniques, and trends from the medical literature to enhance decision-making and patient care in cardiothoracic surgery.
  • Evaluate the benefits, limitations, and complications of various cardiothoracic procedures, including device-related issues, to improve clinical performance and patient safety.
  • Strengthen foundational knowledge and test-taking skills through structured review sessions, self-directed learning, and milestone tracking to improve performance on the Thoracic Surgery In-Training Examination (TSITE).
Evaluation

Participants may be asked to complete a session evaluation.

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Series Coordinator 
Ashli Hall
[email protected]
713-798-6078
Series location: 
Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza
Houston, TX 77030
United States
See map: Google Maps

Sessions

Session Date
TSITE Improvement: Cardiac Implantable Electric Devices 09/24/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CDT
Surgical Guidelines: The Esophagus 10/08/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CDT
TSITE Improvement: The Airway and the Trachea 10/15/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CDT
TSITE Improvement: The Chest Wall 10/22/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CDT
Surgical Guidelines: The Lungs 10/29/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CDT
STS Questions: The Lungs 11/12/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CST
TSITE Improvement: The Mediastinum 11/19/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CST
Congenital Heart Defects: Part I 12/10/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CST
Congenital Heart Defects: Part II 12/17/2025 - 8:00am to 9:00am CST