AdventHealth Florida Program

Overview of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at AdventHealth Orlando

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at AdventHealth Orlando is a comprehensive three-year program accredited by the ACGME, designed to cultivate future leaders in cardiology through rigorous training across various subspecialties. The program emphasizes clinical excellence, scientific inquiry, and education, providing fellows with the tools necessary to make significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine.1

Curriculum

The fellowship curriculum is structured over three years, with each year rotating through core and elective experiences. The first year primarily focuses on foundational knowledge and skills in general cardiology, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, cardiovascular imaging, heart failure, consultative cardiology, and electrophysiology. The second and third years build upon these skills while introducing complex cases in cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, vascular medicine, structural heart disease, and adult congenital heart disease.1

Core Rotations

Fellows participate in intensive clinical rotations that cover a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions. Notable rotations include:

• General Cardiology: Extensive exposure to inpatient consults and managing diverse cardiology cases.
• Echocardiography: Gaining proficiency in performing and interpreting echocardiograms, with advanced training in stress echo studies.
• Invasive Cardiology: Leading diagnostic and interventional procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab.1

Electives and Specialized Training

Fellows can tailor their education through elective rotations, allowing them to focus on areas like electrophysiology, advanced cardiac imaging, and adult congenital heart disease. Additional structures foster individual career development according to personal goals.1

Training Sites

The primary clinical training site for the fellowship is the AdventHealth Orlando campus, supplemented by outpatient practice at the AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology in Apopka. The fellowship utilizes high-volume subspecialty clinics across multiple centers to ensure diverse and extensive clinical exposure.1

Research Opportunities

The fellowship encourages fellows to engage in research from the outset of their training. Dedicated time is allocated during the third year for research projects, fostering an environment where fellows can contribute to meaningful scientific discovery. Research interests range from preventive cardiology to more complex areas like structural heart disease and electrophysiology.1

Unique Aspects of the Program

AdventHealth Orlando stands out due to its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, aiming to include physicians from various backgrounds to better serve a diverse patient population. This focus enhances cultural competence within healthcare delivery.1

Visa Support

The program sponsors H-1B visas which allow international medical graduates to train in the United States. Applicants must pass all three steps of the USMLE before the program can file their visa petition.1

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship is highly competitive, inviting applications from all qualified candidates including those with DO and IMG backgrounds. Special application requirements include completion of an ACGME-accredited cardiovascular disease training program or its equivalent, along with passing scores for all steps of the USMLE and strong letters of recommendation.1

In summary, the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship is a robust program fostering a rich educational environment aimed at producing future leaders in cardiology.