2025 Department Celebrates Graduating
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident and Fellows

Last month, the Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery celebrated the graduation of residents and fellows from the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program and the Traditional Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship Program on June 23, 2025, at the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center at Stanford University. The graduates included Albert “AJ” Pedroza, MD, Lillian Tsai, MD, and Katherine Verdi, MD.

Dr. Pedroza, a graduate of the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency, will remain in the department as a Clinical Instructor to pursue advanced training in aortic surgery, effective July 1. As part of his training, he will also undertake an international fellowship in Paris, France, focusing on advanced endovascular aortic techniques. He earned his medical degree from Stanford School of Medicine.

“The training I received in the Stanford Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program was comprehensive. I graduated with all the skills and knowledge I had hoped to gain at the beginning of my career. I am so grateful to the faculty who invested their time and effort to train me over the past nine years,” said Dr. Pedroza. “In my new role as Clinical Instructor, I look forward to learning advanced endovascular techniques for the management of aortic disease and continuing to gain experience in complex open aortic surgery.”

Two fellows also completed their training through the Traditional Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship:

Dr. Verdi graduated from the Johns Hopkins General Surgery Residency Program before pursuing a fellowship in cardiac surgery at Stanford. She will continue her training in the Department as a Clinical Instructor, with a focus on coronary surgery, beginning in late summer 2025.

Dr. Tsai also graduated from the Johns Hopkins General Surgery Residency Program before completing a fellowship in general thoracic surgery at Stanford. She will join the Department as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Thoracic Surgery in fall 2025.

“The past two years of thoracic fellowship at Stanford have been incredible,” said Dr. Tsai. “The complexity and variety of surgical cases, the dedication of the faculty, and the exceptional camaraderie among the residents created an environment that constantly challenged, supported, and inspired me. I feel incredibly grateful to have trained here and truly honored to be staying on as faculty.”

At the event, the following awards were presented:

Pat O. Daily, MD, Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence in Cardiovascular Surgery:

●      Albert “AJ” Pedroza, MD

Phillip E. Oyer, MD, PhD, Award for Outstanding Achievement on the American Board of Thoracic Surgery In-Service Training Examination:

●      Ashley Choi, MD (Junior Category)

●      Albert“AJ” Pedroza, MD (Senior Category and Overall Category)

Congratulations to the graduates!