We sought to explore the relationship between various surgeon-related and hospital-level characteristics and clinical outcomes among patients requiring cardiac surgery. We searched the New York State Cardiac Data Reporting System for all coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve cases between 2015 and 2017. The data were analyzed without dichotomization. Among CABG/valve surgeons, case volume was positively correlated with years in practice (P = 0.002) and negatively correlated with risk-adjusted mortality ratio (P = 0.014). For CABG and CABG/valve surgeons, our results showed a negative association between teaching status and case volume (P = 0.002, P = 0.018). Among CABG surgeons, hospital teaching status and presence of cardiothoracic surgery residency were inversely associated with risk-adjusted mortality ratio (P = 0.006, P = 0.029). There is a complex relationship between case volume, teaching status, and surgical outcomes suggesting that balance between academics and volume is needed. •Among coronary artery bypass grafting/valve surgeons, case volume positively correlated with years in practice.•Major teaching status associated with lower case volume for all case types.•For coronary artery bypass grafting, teaching status inversely associated with risk-adjusted mortality ratio.•Balance between volume and teaching important for outcomes.