George Washington University Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences provides a comprehensive training experience situated within a diverse community in Northwest Washington, DC. The program prides itself on a close-knit environment, where fellows spend over 90% of their training at the George Washington (GW) Hospital, facilitating daily access to conferences, rotations, ambulatory clinics, and one-on-one mentorship from esteemed faculty.

Fellows are encouraged to collaborate closely with the program director to design a tailored schedule that meets their individual educational needs. This seamless integration allows for a unique emphasis on personalized training with dedicated faculty mentorship, promoting both academic and professional growth in the field of cardiovascular disease.

Clinical rotations are extensive and include vital areas such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory, arrhythmia service, cardiac consultations, coronary care unit, vascular medicine, and multi-modality imaging techniques, including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac MRI, and cardiac CT. Additionally, a rotation at Inova Fairfax Hospital covers pivotal topics such as acute decompensated heart failure, cardiac transplantation, adult congenital heart disease, and cardiac rehabilitation. Each fellow also benefits from a half-day per week dedicated to their Ambulatory Continuity Clinic at GW, ensuring a well-rounded exposure to outpatient cardiology.

The program boasts a robust conference schedule where fellows engage in various educational activities including weekly cardiac catheterization conferences, didactic conferences, journal clubs, non-invasive conferences, and grand rounds focusing on heart failure and cardiology board review. This structured yet diverse educational framework fosters comprehensive learning and prepares fellows to excel in their careers.

Interventional Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Services

The Cardiovascular Fellowship Program offers specialized training tracks in Interventional Cardiology and Clinical Electrophysiology. Fellows in these tracks will have access to a wide array of advanced interventional procedures, encompassing coronary and peripheral interventions, as well as exciting developments in percutaneous atrial and ventricular septal defect closures, and implantable cardiac devices. The facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art tools that facilitate intricate procedures including percutaneous valve placements and advanced heart rhythm interventions.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are expected to engage in scholarly activities that often lead to presentations at national and regional forums while contributing to high-impact peer-reviewed journals. The division actively promotes research within clinical and basic science platforms, focusing on areas such as arrhythmia, heart failure, primary prevention, and health policy. Faculty members with specialized interests in health policy further complement the fellowship’s research efforts, emphasizing an integrated approach to cardiovascular education and practice.

Application Process and Requirements

The fellowship application process is highly competitive, requiring candidates to complete three years in an ACGME-Accredited Internal Medicine Residency, achieving board certification or eligibility. The application must be submitted via the Electronic Residency Applications Service (ERAS), which includes several key documents such as a curriculum vitae, personal statement, three letters of recommendation (one from the program director), USMLE or COMLEX scores (successful completion of Steps I-III prior to the start of the fellowship), Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), and an ECFMG Status Report for International Medical Graduates (IMGs). It is critical for applicants to have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program and for IMGs to possess ECFMG certification.

Importantly, the program can only consider applicants holding J1 visas, aligning with its policy on international medical graduates as outlined in the Graduate Medical Education guidelines.

Fellowship Environment

GW’s Cardiology Fellowship embodies a collaborative and supportive training climate, where fellows are encouraged to pursue their professional interests actively, which may include obtaining advanced degrees such as an MPH or MBA during training. The program’s alumni network is dynamic and greatly contributes to its rich tradition of academic excellence and community involvement.