the richest dude at univ of utah is one. is his insane salary only a result of his big shot position over there?

http://www.utahsright.com/salaries.php?query=&city=u_of_u&order=&oType=&page=1

No one is saying you can't make good money doing CTS.

The problem is finding a job. There are more trainees than there are open positions and the fact is, that even if you find a job, one like the position you linked - full professor of pediatric CT Surgery - is not something that is attainable for most people for many, many years. Yes, his salary is because he is a "big shot" not because he is a CT surgeon.

The vast majority of CT surgeons will make nowhere near a million dollars a year.

No one is saying you can't make good money doing CTS.

The problem is finding a job. There are more trainees than there are open positions and the fact is, that even if you find a job, one like the position you linked - full professor of pediatric CT Surgery - is not something that is attainable for most people for many, many years. Yes, his salary is because he is a "big shot" not because he is a CT surgeon.

The vast majority of CT surgeons will make nowhere near a million dollars a year.

so would you have any idea what they are starting out with these days after fellowship?

so would you have any idea what they are starting out with these days after fellowship?

I've heard 3-400K as pretty standard but am aware of others who have made much much less.

I think I've told the story of one of the fellows I worked with as a resident who couldn't find a job. Ended up staying there on faculty with a pity job at $100,000 per year - only $10K per year more than the CTS PA! And I have since heard of others getting jobs in the low 100s as well...I think these are anomalies but they do exist.

... his salary is because he is a "big shot" not because he is a CT surgeon...


I dunno. Being Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Primary Children's doesn't seem very "big." ;)

I dunno. Being Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Primary Children's doesn't seem very "big."

Perhaps not to someone from NYC. :rolleyes:

But in general its a hell of a lot more big shot than being a CTS in the community or a non-academic medical center. He does pediatric heart transplant and is a developer of a neonatal IABP. That's probably why he makes what he does - that's some significant stuff that they want to keep at University of Utah.

Perhaps not to someone from NYC. :rolleyes:

But in general its a hell of a lot more big shot than being a CTS in the community or a non-academic medical center. He does pediatric heart transplant and is a developer of a neonatal IABP. That's probably why he makes what he does - that's some significant stuff that they want to keep at University of Utah.

hahaha... until he invents something like the arterial switch... small potatoes! :-p ...jk jk...

I have a feeling that he does some serious volume.

I dunno. Being Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Primary Children's doesn't seem very "big."

You need a better frame of reference and a hell of a lot more experience than being a medical student bike bum on a little island on the East Coast. Though not Donald Trump, a Chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at a free standing children's hospital is a big shot in the medical profession...anywhere.

...I have a feeling that he does some serious volume.I'm not sure you have any background of understanding to grasp volume of cases, status, career opportunities, or salaries....You need a better frame of reference and a hell of a lot more experience than being a medical student ...a Chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at a free standing children's hospital is a big shot in the medical profession...anywhere.Emphasis on anywhere. I suspect it is a waste to even try to explain this to you... Your question seems to show such a disconnect in your understanding. You don't even grasp what it takes to achieve such a position either by accomplishments or years of performance or both!!!

It is alsmost like asking why more people don't go into a professional baseball career and point to the top earning pitcher's salary...

I'm not sure you have any background of understanding to grasp volume of cases, status, career opportunities, or salaries....Emphasis on anywhere. I suspect it is a waste to even try to explain this to you... Your question seems to show such a disconnect in your understanding. You don't even grasp what it takes to achieve such a position either by accomplishments or years of performance or both!!!

It is alsmost like asking why more people don't go into a professional baseball career and point to the top earning pitcher's salary...

You need a better frame of reference and a hell of a lot more experience than being a medical student bike bum on a little island on the East Coast. Though not Donald Trump, a Chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at a free standing children's hospital is a big shot in the medical profession...anywhere.

Perhaps not to someone from NYC. :rolleyes:

But in general its a hell of a lot more big shot than being a CTS in the community or a non-academic medical center. He does pediatric heart transplant and is a developer of a neonatal IABP. That's probably why he makes what he does - that's some significant stuff that they want to keep at University of Utah.

*sigh* It was a joke. I was trying to be ironic... sadly lost on teh intarwebz.

*sigh* It was a joke. I was trying to be ironic... sadly lost on teh intarwebz.
There are things called emoticons. I like this one ;) when trying to convey joking.

There are things called emoticons. I like this one :wink: when trying to convey joking.

Alright. I'll remember that next time.

Sorry for the confusion...? Irony's not as funny if you make it obvious that it's ironic...!

I guess it's too believable that a med student might actually be halfway to brain dead, though. :rolleyes:

Few will argue that congenital heart surgeons are among those at the very top of the surgical pyramid as far as skill, dedication and knowledge.

Univ of Utah has a rich history and reputation in the world of cardiac surgery. Jarvik-7, artificial heart, Dr Barney Clark, etc.. These are household names. not to mention Dr Kolff and his work on the artificial kidney.

Job market is opening up for the new grads slowly. Those with no visa issues wont have a problem getting a job.

Alright. I'll remember that next time.

Sorry for the confusion...? Irony's not as funny if you make it obvious that it's ironic...!

I guess it's too believable that a med student might actually be halfway to brain dead, though. :rolleyes:

Yeah, irony doesn't translate well across the intarwebs unless people know your on-line personality well.

No worries, we've all fallen prey to being taken too seriously before.

Job market is opening up for the new grads slowly. Those with no visa issues wont have a problem getting a job.

During my intern month on CT surgery, the CT program director said in front of me and the junior CT fellow. "You only need a greencard to become a heart surgeon these days." I thought that was one of the harshest things to say. Those fellows never left the hospital. Though they had a plethora of personality issues, you had to respect their work-ethic.

Though they had a plethora of personality issues

I find that the people who think they have personality issues are mistaking personality flaws with intollerance for stupidity or laziness. desire for things to be done right isn't a "personality flaw". You may disagree but you'd be wrong.

I find that the people who think they have personality issues are mistaking personality flaws with intollerance for stupidity or laziness. desire for things to be done right isn't a "personality flaw". You may disagree but you'd be wrong.

:laugh: Interesting rant. Junior, if you only knew these guys.

I dunno. Being Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Primary Children's doesn't seem very "big."

That's actually a big-time pediatric CV program. One of classmates from medschool & residency is actually one of the surgeons in that divison

That's actually a big-time pediatric CV program. One of classmates from medschool & residency is actually one of the surgeons in that divison

Sorry. It was meant to be ironic. I actually had an idea that it was a big program. However, I have been told (see above) that I have no way of understanding the meaning of that given that I'm just a medical student bike bum.

Thank you for your politeness in correcting me, though.

Winged Scapula has since informed me of the existence of emoticons.

I was google searching your topic in general. I found the following "news bulletin". It may make for interesting discussion/etc....

http://www.aats.org/multimedia/files/Thoracic-Surgery-News/Thoracic-Surgery-News-June-2009.pdf

Although there is an over abundance of CT surgeons the baby boomers are retiring and moving onto the age where they are prone to heart problems which will hopefully increase the amount of jobs for CT surgeons.
-Just my theory