Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program

At a Glance

  • College

    Sidney Kimmel Medical College

  • Degree

    Fellowship

  • Format

    On Campus

  • Duration

    2 Years

  • Starting Term

    Summer

  • Enrollment Options

    Full Time

Name: Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili, MD, FACS
Position: Program Director
Name: Olugbenga Okusanya, MD, FACS
Position: Associate Program Director
Name: Shannon Petsch, MHA, MSL
Position: Education Director

ACGME ID:  4604100002

Diversity & Inclusion

Dr. Okusanya

The Sidney Kimmel Medical College has markedly improved the overall diversity of the Graduate Medical Education (GME) community over the past 5 years. 

The Department of Surgery's commitment goes even further with the creation of a Vice Chairman of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Dr. Olugbenga Okusanya, who is also the Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Program's Associate Program Director, is the Vice Chairman. Dr. Okusanya coordinates efforts between the medical school, the enterprise, and the GME level to support DEI in every aspect of Jefferson's mission, including education.  

In addition to Dr. Okusanya's leadership, the DEI committee is focused on reviewing and enhancing our retention and recruitment policies. Our ad hoc recruitment committees use standardized questions to help reduce bias in our recruitment process. Furthermore, all our faculty have implicit bias training before participating in interviews and candidate selection. Our process will utilize some standardized questions to reduce bias in our selection of applicants. Lastly, our institution recently created the Carl Mansfield Society to foster a sense of community between underrepresented minorities in medication across all GME programs at Jefferson

Office of Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives (ODII) at Sidney Kimmel Medical College supports an institutional framework that acknowledges the importance of a diverse community and an inclusive environment. ODII promotes initiatives and programs that increase awareness, understanding and sensitivity to the needs of all individuals regardless of age, class, physical ability, gender, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation.  

Surgery DEI Committee

Our DEI committee is comprised of representatives from all of our divisions and includes faculty members and advanced practice providers. Dr. Olugbenga Okusanya chairs the committee.