Thoracic surgery fellowship

Surgeons working on a patientSpectrum Health and Michigan state university college of human medicine logo

The Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Thoracic Surgery Fellowship is committed to providing the best academic and clinical training program for our fellows. This two-year ACGME-accredited program prepares our physicians for certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. 

Corewell Health in West Michigan has the highest-volume cardiac surgery program in Michigan. To see our latest outcomes and quality data, download our 2023 heart, lung and vascular outcomes report. Fellows enjoy opportunities to learn in a state-of-the-art facility providing innovative cardiovascular care. From coronary artery bypass surgery to minimally invasive interventions and transplantation, our physicians and clinical teams are experienced in blending individualized patient plans with a dedication to quality outcomes.

From the Program Director

Thank you for considering the Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Thoracic Surgery Fellowship program.

Our passion is teaching, and the entire program is designed with the fellow in mind. Fellows will train at the largest medical center in West Michigan, which is affiliated with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. As a fellow in our program, you may pursue your passions in clinical and academic cardiac and general thoracic surgery.

Additionally, you will have research opportunities with exposure to innovative clinical and translational research studies on a national level.

Corewell Health in West Michigan is a nationally recognized, high-quality center that utilizes innovative surgical procedures and advanced techniques, reassuring patients they are receiving the best clinical care possible from some of the most experienced and skilled surgeons in the world. We have amongst the highest clinical volumes in the state of Michigan for LVAD, TAVR, lobectomies, and valvular and coronary surgery. Our tremendous procedural volumes enable our fellows to be exposed to complex adult and congenital cases ensuring an excellent operative experience and the ability to choose a career path in any of the disciplines of cardiac surgery.

We provide a dynamic conference series focusing on the educational needs of fellows, attending physicians, residents, medical students, and staff. Fellows can also be part of our quality improvement programs, internal and external lecture series with international experts, and cardiovascular-based journal clubs, along with participating in and leading educational conferences.

The goal of the cardiothoracic surgery faculty is to make your fellowship training the best in the country.

Sincerely,
Charles Willekes, MD
Program Director
Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

Education

Program aims

  • Ability to preform routine operations, common to cardiac and thoracic surgery independently 
  • Have the experience to perform more complex cardiac and thoracic surgery cases
  • Competent and comfortable managing patients in all phases of care
  • Continue to develop in professionalism and leadership at the local and national level
  • Research exposure in the filed of cardiothoracic surgery

Clinical environment

Corewell Health in West Michigan offers a wide breadth of cardiology, cardiothoracic and vascular services. Through Spectrum Health’s partnership with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, fellows are surrounded by an academic environment including residents and medical students. The approach to patient care if often through multidisciplinary, collaborative team approach. Weekly Heart Team meetings allow our clinicians to come together to formalize individual treatment plans for complex cardiac cases. We believe this improves our cardiac surgical outcomes and helps maintain our 3-star rating designating Corewell Health in West Michigan Cardiac Surgery as a center of excellence. 

Our thoracic surgery department benefits from the same approach as a multidisciplinary team evaluates lung cancer patients each week with a team of radiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists and surgeons deciding on the best care for each patient. With two dedicated DaVinci robotic machines for cardiothoracic surgery, over 85% of our lobectomies are preformed robotically and a rising number of esophagectomies. 

As a nationally recognized health care system, Corewell Health in West Michigan provides high-quality clinical care to thousands of patients each year. Here are some of our clinical volumes from calendar year 2023:

Cardiothoracic Surgery Volumes2023
Cardiac Surgery
Total Cardiac Surgeries (includes structural heart, LVAD, heart transplant1,601
Isolated CABG552
Aorta Procedures134
Mitral Valve Procedures159
Thoracic Surgery
Total Thoracic Surgery255
Lobectomies147 (93% robotic)
VAD/Txp
Heart Transplant13
LVAD29
Lung Transplant45
Structural Heart
TAVR398


Curriculum

The curriculum of the cardiothoracic surgery fellowship training program is designed to meet the goals delineated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and prepares our physicians for certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. The 24-month core curriculum gives exposure to the essential rotations in cardiothoracic surgery.

Sample rotation

Fellows participate in various outpatient clinics a half day per week. The below rotation schedule is our current two year schedule. There is opportunity to vary the rotations based on different interests or professional goals.

First year

  • Thoracic Surgery: 3 blocks
  • Cardiac Surgery: 6 blocks
  • CT CCU: 1 block
  • Cardiac TAVR: 1 block
  • Pediatric/congenital heart: 2 blocks

Second year

  • Thoracic Surgery: 3 blocks
  • Cardiac Surgery: 10 blocks

Didactics

Education has been a long-standing mission of thoracic surgery fellowship. The faculty have constructed a dedicated lecture series designed for fellows addressing basic management of all aspects of cardiology, specifically geared towards fellows during their first few months of training. In addition, the faculty has a list of conferences throughout the year that fellows, attendings and staff are expected to attend.

Research

Clinical research is a part of our key strategic vision at Corewell Health in West Michigan and cardiothoracic has an active research portfolio that focuses on industry clinical trials, pre-clinical animal studies and investigator-initiated studies. We have a large cardiovascular research department which provides support to our physicians, and includes research nurses, coordinators, assistants, statisticians, budget negotiations and financial analysis and Q&A. The Heart and Vascular Institute works in collaboration with numerous institutions across the globe, including the Magdi Yacoub Institute, Van Andel Research Institute, Corewell Health Research Institute, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University and the DeVos Cardiovascular Research Program.

Cardiovascular Simulation Center

Corewell Health in West Michigan opened a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art dedicated cardiovascular simulation center in July 2017. The simulation center will train and educate future physician leaders and staff by utilizing innovative simulation, applied experiential learning, and hands-on technology to improve patient safety and outcomes. By providing medical education in a supportive, controlled environment, clinicians master key competencies and skills with zero risk to patients. The Corewell Health Cardiovascular Simulation Center features:

Monitor room to view fellows, residents and staff
Simulation Center conference rooms
  • 2,700 square feet, with a flexible design for education, training and outreach
  • A simulation operating room to support complex procedures allowing fellows to practice multidisciplinary patient care transitions
  • An operating room procedural monitor room that allows the viewing of fellows, residents and staff, and controlling high-fidelity simulation
  • Technology equipment linked for two-way communication between the hybrid and simulation OR
  • A flexible conference space for didactics and training, hosting outside partners
  • Viewing into the hybrid and simulation operating room utilizing information system equipment
  • A flexible wet lab space for smaller simulation equipment and potential for “wet tissue” training
  • A dedicated study space for residents and fellows to use throughout their training
Study space for residents and fellows to use

Application requirements

All applications need to be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service. Please be advised of the following:

  • Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program, or an RCPSC-accredited or CFPC-accredited residency program located in Canada.
  • All applicants must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 status

For more information on our program, contact Christine Richey, program coordinator.

Salary and benefits

Corewell Health in West Michigan provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.

Explore West Michigan

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Food: Release your inner foodie exploring one of the top food cities in the US.

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Outdoors: With trails, lakes and more, there is so much of West Michigan to explore.

Sustainability: Located along the shore of Lake Michigan, West Michigan has many initiatives to protect our natural resources.

Resources
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Identities matter and so do you! Our residency and fellowship programs offer social activities, wellness programs and a diversity council to foster respect, personal health and community.

Program Director

Charles Willekes, MD
Charles Willekes, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics - Madison
  • Residency: Atlantic Health Hospital - Morristown
Charles Willekes, MD
Charles Willekes, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics - Madison
  • Residency: Atlantic Health Hospital - Morristown

Associate Program Directors

Geoffrey Lam, MD
Geoffrey Lam, MD

Thoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: New York University
  • Residency: Emory University
Stephane Leung, MD
Stephane Leung, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania
    • Northwestern University
  • Residency: McGill University
Geoffrey Lam, MD
Geoffrey Lam, MD

Thoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: New York University
  • Residency: Emory University
Stephane Leung, MD
Stephane Leung, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania
    • Northwestern University
  • Residency: McGill University

Core Faculty

Justin Fanning, MD
Justin Fanning, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Residency: University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
    • Geisinger Medical Center
Jordan Groskurth, MD
Jordan Groskurth, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

  • Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Fellowship: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
  • Residency: University of Kansas
Marcus Haw, MD
Marcus Haw, MD

Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery

  • Residency: Hospital for Sick Children/Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
    • Hammersmith Hospital - London
    • Southampton General Hospital
    • University Hospital of Coventry
    • Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Birmingham
    • Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
    • Woodend Hospital
    • Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary
Bob Hooker, MD
Bob Hooker, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

  • Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Fellowship:
    • Vascular Surgery, Stanford University
    • Cardiothoracic, Stanford University
  • Residency: University of Chicago Hospitals
Justin Fanning, MD
Justin Fanning, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Residency: University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
    • Geisinger Medical Center
Jordan Groskurth, MD
Jordan Groskurth, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

  • Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Fellowship: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
  • Residency: University of Kansas
Marcus Haw, MD
Marcus Haw, MD

Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery

  • Residency: Hospital for Sick Children/Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
    • Hammersmith Hospital - London
    • Southampton General Hospital
    • University Hospital of Coventry
    • Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Birmingham
    • Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
    • Woodend Hospital
    • Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary
Bob Hooker, MD
Bob Hooker, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

  • Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Fellowship:
    • Vascular Surgery, Stanford University
    • Cardiothoracic, Stanford University
  • Residency: University of Chicago Hospitals
Edward Murphy, MD
Edward Murphy, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: University of Louisville
  • Residency: Fletcher Allen Health Care
John Paris III, MD
John Paris III, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: Indiana University
  • Residency: Indiana University
David Ranney, MD
David Ranney, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: Duke University
  • Residency: Duke University
Tomasz Timek, MD, PhD
Tomasz Timek, MD, PhD

Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Fellowship: Stanford Hospital and Clinics
  • Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    • Stanford Hospital and Clinics

PGY 6

Chance Benner, MD
Chance Benner, MD

General Surgery: UPMC Medical Education—Harrisburg

Chance Benner, MD
Chance Benner, MD

General Surgery: UPMC Medical Education—Harrisburg

PGY 7

Stephen Thorp, MD
Stephen Thorp, MD

General Surgery: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University

Stephen Thorp, MD
Stephen Thorp, MD

General Surgery: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University

Ready to Apply?

We participate in the National Resident Matching Program and use the Electronic Residency Application Service.