Cook County Health and Hospitals System Program

Overview of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at Cook County Health offers a fully accredited three-year training designed to produce proficient clinical cardiologists. The program is primarily based at the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, focusing on both inpatient and outpatient clinical cardiology. Throughout the fellowship, there is a structured curriculum that promotes progressive responsibility in patient care and procedural performance, ensuring that fellows develop both clinical judgment and adept procedural skills.

The fellowship aims to provide comprehensive training in all aspects of cardiovascular disease, integrating didactic learning, clinical experience, and mentorship from distinguished faculty members.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is meticulously organized to foster the development of essential skills in clinical cardiology. Fellows engage in direct patient care, managing critical conditions effectively while being evaluated on their clinical judgment, medical knowledge, procedural skills, and professionalism. The program emphasizes a multi-faceted approach to learning, combining hands-on experience with academic grounding through a series of conferences, lectures, and direct supervision by experienced faculty.1 The mission of the program is articulated in its goals of excellence in noninvasive and invasive assessment techniques and a solid foundation in cardiovascular research.

Rotations and Clinical Experience

Fellows undergo several critical rotations throughout their training:

Cardiac Critical Care Unit & Cardiac Consult Service

Fellows spend three months in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit (CCU) and another three months in the consult service, providing essential exposure to the management of acute cardiovascular conditions. This rotation includes an affiliation with Rush University Medical Center, enhancing the breadth of clinical experience.2

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

These fellows are required to have a minimum of four months in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, with most completing eight months. Their responsibilities include pre-procedure assessments and acting as primary operators during catheterization procedures, averaging between 300 to 400 cases during their fellowship.1

Echocardiography Laboratory

Training includes at least six months of echocardiography, where fellows receive exposure to transthoracic, transesophageal, and stress imaging, which prepares them for certification by the National Board of Echocardiography.

Nuclear Cardiology & Stress Testing

Fellows engage in training encompassing nuclear cardiology fundamentals, including SPECT and PET imaging techniques. They also partake in advanced cardiac imaging training, ensuring comprehensive skills in diagnosing cardiac conditions.

Electrophysiology and Heart Failure Rotations

Two months of electrophysiology experience enable fellows to hone their skills in managing arrhythmias, while rotations with the heart failure team provide them insights into advanced therapies including mechanical circulatory support and transplant medicine.2

Research and Academic Opportunities

Research is a pivotal component of the fellowship. Each fellow selects a faculty mentor in their first year and engages in conducting significant research, enhancing their analytical and methodological skills. The program emphasizes the importance of presenting findings at conferences or publishing in prestigious journals, receiving guidance through didactic research lectures that cover proposal writing, data management, and manuscript development.1

Conferences, Lectures, and Exams

The educational experience is supplemented with diverse conferences, including daily morning meetings, collaborative surgical sessions, and monthly journal clubs. The program has a strong track record of exemplary performance on national board examinations, with fellow scores consistently ranking in the top percentiles nationally.2

Application Process

Prospective applicants must apply via ERAS and register with the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). The program seeks qualified candidates committed to a career in cardiology, providing a thorough evaluation during interviews and site visits to both teaching hospitals. Additional competitive criteria may include an evaluation of clinical rotations and a thorough review of academic achievements.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The fellowship program is open to both domestic and international applicants, with robust visa support available. The program can sponsor H-1B and J-1 visa types for international medical graduates. Its commitment to inclusivity and opportunities for DOs and IMGs reflects its welcoming nature for a diverse pool of applicants.2

Fellowship Placement History

Graduates of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at Cook County Health have successfully secured positions in prestigious fellowship programs across various subspecialties, reflecting the comprehensive training received during their time in the program.