Dr. John W. MacArthur Named Associate Program Director of Stanford’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program

The Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of John W. MacArthur, MD, as Associate Program Director of the Integrated and Adult Cardiac Surgical Residency Training Program. He joins the longtime leadership of Michael Fischbein, MD, PhD, the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program Director and co-founder of the Integrated program.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. MacArthur in this role. As a graduate of our fellowship program, he brings invaluable firsthand experience and a deep understanding of our academic mission to train the future leaders in our field," said Dr. Fischbein, the Thelma and Henry Doelger Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery. “His expertise and leadership are exactly what we need to guide the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons and continue the program's legacy of excellence in clinical innovation, education and scientific discovery.”

Dr. MacArthur received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his general surgery residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, during which he dedicated two research years at Stanford Medicine. He then returned to Stanford to complete a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship.

Since joining the department in 2019, Dr. MacArthur has maintained an active clinical practice at Stanford Hospital and serves as the Director of the Advanced Lung Support Program. He is also a dedicated mentor and key contributor to the department’s residency program

"I am honored and excited to support Dr. Fischbein and to contribute to the leadership of this incredible residency program," said Dr. MacArthur, Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Stanford School of Medicine.

In his new role, Dr. MacArthur will help oversee the program's mission to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and immersive learning experience for residents. He will work closely with Dr. Fischbein and Residency Program Manager Stephanie Harrington. Harrington has played a vital role in the residency's growth and development since its start. She manages all operational logistics and is deeply committed to establishing a strong, supportive foundation for every trainee.

A key part of the department's recruitment effort is its sub-internship program, which provides medical students with focused exposure to cardiac and thoracic surgical training. "The sub-internship program is a vital way for medical students to see what our program is all about," said Dr. MacArthur, who works with the team to coordinate interviews with medical students for residency positions. "It's a big part of our process for attracting top talent."

A Legacy of Innovation in Surgical Training

The Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgical Residency Training Program was co-founded in 2008 by Dr. Fischbein and former department chair Robert Robbins, MD. It was the first formal integrated eight-year cardiothoracic surgery residency in the United States. To date, more than 20 residents have graduated and launched successful careers in both clinical practice and academic medicine.

The innovative eight-year residency program comprises an integrated, six-year clinical curriculum divided into three parts, including a required two years of academic enrichment after completion of the third postgraduate clinical year. According to Dr. MacArthur, this structure is a key factor in the program's reputation as one of the nation's premier training grounds.

"One of the things that sets Stanford apart is the caliber of research and the collaborators you get to work with," Dr. MacArthur said. "That is arguably the most crucial element in developing an academic cardiac surgeon. The research being performed here is incredible."

He also credits the program's success to its world-class faculty and residents. "We have been able to attract the best and the brightest from around the country, and they carry on the tradition of Stanford cardiac surgery," Dr. MacArthur said. “Stanford is, and always will be, a place for advancing the cutting-edge of cardiothoracic surgery, and I'm excited to share that vision with our trainees."

Each year, the residency program receives on average 140 applications. Three candidates are accepted into the program.

Learn more about the residency program.