Training Curriculum and Goals

Fellowship training in cardiovascular disease at Rush University Medical Center is a rigorous three-year program designed to provide a well-balanced experience in all aspects of cardiology. Approximately 24 months are dedicated to clinical rotations in virtually every discipline in cardiology including:

• critical cardiac care
• cardiac catheterization
• echocardiography
• nuclear imaging
• stress testing
• preventive cardiology
• heart failure transplant
• electrophysiology
• clinical consultative cardiology
• congenital heart disease

A one-half day per week outpatient experience with one of our full-time academic cardiologists is an integral part of the curriculum.

The remaining months are devoted to research and elective rotations in a fellow's area of interest. Qualifications upon completion of the program will depend upon individual program planning based on career goals, although preparation for an academic career will be stressed.

The 36-month curriculum consists of an introduction to the research process, as well as a first year of introductory rotations providing:

• catheterization
• coronary intensive care
• echocardiography
• electrophysiology
• nuclear cardiology/non-invasive imaging
• exercise testing
• preventive cardiology

The second and third years provide advanced clinical rotations and time for electives and research.

The fellowship program allows considerable flexibility and is structured to individual interests and needs, especially in the second and third years when specific career planning is started. Trainees wishing to emphasize clinical skills may elect advanced rotations in:

• echocardiography
• nuclear cardiology/non-invasive imaging
• cardiac catheterization
• coronary intensive care
• electrophysiology
• preventive cardiology

Participation in several research projects and completion of at least one research report is expected during the second and third years. During this time, trainees will have their area of interest linked to appropriate investigative projects in clinical or basic research.

In addition to the ACGME accredited three-year fellowship, advanced fellowship training programs are available in electrophysiology and interventional cardiology.

Complementing the rotations and comprising an important component of fellowship education is an extensive and comprehensive series of clinical, basic science, and research conferences.