Geisinger Health System Program

Geisinger Health System offers a comprehensive Interventional Cardiology Fellowship as part of its Cardiovascular Fellowship program at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. This one-year fellowship is structured to provide extensive training and exposure to a wide range of interventional techniques and procedures, designed to equip fellows with the skills necessary for a successful career in interventional cardiology.

The Interventional Cardiology Fellowship program at Geisinger is renowned for its commitment to clinical excellence and rigorous educational standards. Fellows engage in an immersive learning environment that fosters growth through direct mentorship from faculty. The program aims to empower fellows not only with procedural expertise but also with significant teaching and research opportunities throughout their training period 1.

Program Structure

This fellowship accepts two fellows per year, and training is conducted at a high-volume tertiary care center, giving fellows a vast array of experiences. Training includes:

• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
• Complex high-risk interventional procedures
• Robust STEMI experience
• Rotational atherectomy and laser atherectomy
• Brachytherapy
• LV Assist Devices, including IABP and Impella
• Intravascular imaging techniques such as IVUS and OCT
• Structural heart disease interventions, including TAVR and Watchman implantation

Fellows will also gain proficiency in diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization, among other interventional techniques 1.

Research and Academic Opportunities

One of the highlights of the fellowship is the emphasis on research. Fellows are allocated protected time—at least six months—specifically to complete one or more research projects 1. The program encourages participation in numerous clinical trials and research avenues which contribute to the expanding field of cardiovascular innovation and excellence.

Curriculum and Training Environment

The curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for board certification in cardiovascular disease and incorporates 13 four-week rotations throughout the academic year. Early rotations introduce fellows to critical areas of cardiovascular care, while later rotations focus on advanced topics such as interventional techniques, electrophysiology, and cardiac imaging 1.

The training environment at Geisinger is characterized by a strong emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and didactic learning opportunities which includes lectures, case discussions, and hands-on workshops 1.

Facilities and Resources

Fellows have access to three cardiac catheterization labs, a dedicated electrophysiology lab, and advanced imaging facilities, which further enrich the training experience. The program stands out with its high procedural volume, performing over 2,400 cardiac interventions annually 1. The outpatient clinic also serves a considerable patient volume, facilitating real-world clinical engagement.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The Geisinger Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is competitive and accepts applicants who have already completed a three-year residency in internal medicine from an accredited program. The program is open to both US and international medical graduates. However, international graduates must validate their ECFMG certification and should ensure that visa status permits completion of training 2.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate superior performance during their residency and provide documentation that includes a curriculum vitae, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, ensuring a robust application process 2.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for qualified international candidates. It primarily sponsors H-1B visas, which allows fellows from abroad to engage in the training program successfully 1.

Living and Working in Danville

Residing in Danville provides an excellent balance of a small-town environment with access to larger urban centers. The area offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, making it an attractive place to live during the fellowship period 1.