About the High School Student Stanford Summer Internship

Overview

The Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center's Stanford Summer Internship is designed to educate high school students considering careers in science and medicine in cardiothoracic surgical anatomy and physiology as well as surgical techniques that will be utilized in pre-medical and medical training.

The program is an intensive course that will provide knowledge of and exposure to basic and advanced cardiothoracic surgery and technical skills (e.g., knot tying, dissection, suturing, coronary artery bypass graft, and cardiac valve replacement). Lectures and laboratory sessions are conducted and supervised by Stanford University faculty, surgical residents, and staff.

Throughout this course, the emphasis is placed on interactive learning to achieve the following goals:

  1. Understand principles of cardiac and thoracic diseases and surgery
  2. Provide hands-on practice of fundamental surgical skills
  3. Practice key cardiothoracic surgical techniques

Teaching Format

Students attend lectures from 9 am to 12 noon (PST), Monday through Friday. The scope of the lectures ranges from basic cardiothoracic anatomy and physiology to clinical cardiothoracic surgery, including valve surgery, coronary bypass surgery, thoracic aortic surgery, congenital heart surgery, heart transplantation, and lung surgery.

Technical skills sessions are conducted from 1 pm to 4 pm (PST), Monday through Friday. We will provide you with instruments, supplies, and simulation models to be used during the skills sessions. The skills sessions are interactive with skills demonstration by the instructor along with feedback to the students regarding their performance.

Curriculum Details

This course schedule serves as a framework for Programs 1 and 2.
Changes will be made to adapt to student needs, instructors, and/or available resources.
Daily attendance for the full term is required.

Weeks 1 and 2

Curriculum & Outcomes

Orientation

Introduction to Cardiac Surgery:

- Overview of cardiac surgery specialties

- Career paths and opportunities

- Ethical considerations in cardiac surgery

Introduction to Thoracic Surgery:

- Overview of thoracic surgery specialties

- Career paths and opportunities

- Ethical considerations in thoracic surgery

Core Curriculum

Biology and Physiology

Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology:

- Anatomy of the heart and major vessels

- Cardiac physiology

Thoracic Anatomy and Physiology:

- Anatomy of the lungs, mediastinum, and chest wall

- Pulmonary physiology

Diagnostic Techniques

Electrocardiography (ECG):

- Electrophysiologic basis of ECG

- Basic ECG interpretation

Echocardiography:

- Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography

- Cardiac imaging modalities (CT, MRI)

Treatment of Cardiothoracic Surgical Disorders

Cardiac

Coronary artery disease

Cardiac valve disease

Thoracic aortic disease

Congenital heart disease

Heart transplantation

Thoracic

Lung cancer

Esophageal cancer and other disorders

Technical Skills Sessions

Knot Tying

- Learn essential surgical knots, including the one-handed knot and two-handed knot, and instrument ties.

- Practice knot-tying techniques to develop precision.

Handling of Surgical Instruments

- Handle surgical instruments, such as forceps, scissors, needle holders, to optimize efficiency and minimize tissue trauma.

Incisions and Suturing

- Practice on simulated models to develop a solid foundation in surgical skills.

- Learn techniques for skin closures, vessel anastomoses, and other surgical procedures.

Introduction to Porcine Heart Anatomy

- Observe porcine heart prosection to gain understanding of cardiac anatomy, including chambers, valves, vessels, and conduction system.