Advanced Heart and Lung Transplantation, MCS & ECMO Fellowship Program (NON-ACGME)

Advanced Heart and Lung Transplantation, MCS & ECMO Fellowship Program (NON-ACGME)

UCSF Lung Transplant Program 

At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), formal training in cardiothoracic surgery began in 1968. Our cardiothoracic faculty are world-renowned experts specializing in treating the diseases of the heart, lung, esophagus, mechanical circulatory support, and heart & lung transplantation.

The UCSF Lung transplant program was established in 1991. Since then the program has performed close to 1000 lung transplants. In 2023, our program achieved an extraordinary milestone by successfully completing 95 lung transplants, an unprecedented feat that underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing transplantation endeavors. This significant accomplishment not only cements our standing as a frontrunner in the field of lung transplantation but also garners recognition on both national and regional levels.

For the second consecutive year, we are delighted to announce our top-ranking position in California and the West Coast, as well as securing the top spot for UNOS regions 5 & 6, comprising 11 prestigious lung transplant centers across the Western Hemisphere. At the national level, UCSF proudly maintains the 5th position, a testament to our consistent delivery of exceptional patient outcomes and our unwavering dedication to setting a benchmark of excellence unmatched across the nation.

UCSF Heart Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support Program 

The UCSF Heart Transplant Program has performed more than 400 transplants since its first transplant in March 1989. With a distinguished history spanning over three decades, our experience has recently led to significant growth, achieving an impressive milestone of 80 heart transplants per year. As the 8th largest program by volume in the nation, we maintain an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional short and long-term outcomes for our patients.

At the core of our success is our dedication to advancing transplantation science. We prioritize the utilization of Donation after Cardiopulmonary Determination of Death (DCD) organs, a practice proven to yield superior short-term outcomes, ensuring optimal results for our patients.

Furthermore, we lead the way in minimally invasive Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation, distinguishing ourselves as the sole center in California routinely performing this procedure. With shorter hospital stays, earlier mobilization, reduced pain, and decreased risk of right-sided heart dysfunction, our minimally invasive LVAD implantation technique represents a significant advancement in patient care.

Our adoption of cutting-edge donor preservation technologies, notably the Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System and the TransMedics Organ Care System (OCS), enables us to transport hearts over longer distances with remarkable efficacy, further enhancing our ability to serve patients in need.

We are also a leading center for Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) in Northern California, offering a multidisciplinary approach and expertise in various FDA-approved devices. We implant 30-40 durable devices annually, making us a premier choice for short-term bridging, long-term support, or destination therapy.

At UCSF, we're not just performing transplants; we're revolutionizing the field. Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in heart and lung transplantation. We are committed to delivering the highest standard of care and improving the lives of the community.

The Advanced Heart and Lung Transplantation, Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Fellowship Program, a 1-2 year non-ACGME accredited program dedicated to providing training in all aspects of heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, lung transplantation and ECMO. We are looking to recruit up to two fellows each year.

As part of our high-volume heart and lung transplant program, the fellowship provides advanced training in transplantation and experience in comprehensive multi-disciplinary management of heart and lung transplant patients, including the surgical management of transplant candidate and recipient, indications, deployment and maintenance of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, will develop competence in heart and lung transplant surgery, donor evaluation and selection for DBD and DCD transplants, organ recovery including machine perfusion modalities and use of Transmedics and Ex-Vivo devices as well as normothermic regional perfusion techniques.  Participation in clinical outcomes research is highly encouraged. 

CA Medical Licensure Requirements:

CA Physician's and Surgeon's License 
Medical Board of California Application for a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License Information & Checklist
Special Programs 2113-Certificate of Registration 
CA Medical Board SP 2113 Application.pdf

Salary and Benefits: Selected individuals will receive a 1-year appointment as a clinical instructor in cardiothoracic surgery and a competitive salary, health benefits, and vacation package. 

Application Requirement: 
1. Applicants must meet licensure requirements for the State of California 
2. Letter of interest
3. Curriculum vitae
4. 3 Reference letters
5. USMLE 1,2,3
6. ECFMG status
7. Current Visa status

All interested applicants should contact Mari Collings, Education Program Administrator, and Matilda Lee, HR& Operations Analyst.

All fellows will be expected to follow the UCSF Ethical Standards & the Code of Conduct & Principles of Community & Pride Values & UCSF DEI initiatives.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, and community services have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.