HCA Florida Healthcare/Aventura Hospital Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital is designed to deliver comprehensive training for fellows in the field of cardiology. The program is committed to equipping trainees with the critical knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in clinical practice, academic medicine, and advanced subspecialties.

The curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation in clinical cardiovascular disease through a variety of rotations, enabling fellows to gain rich experience across multiple aspects of cardiology, including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure, heart transplantation, and adult congenital heart disease 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship spans three years and is divided into different levels, with fellows rotating through various subspecialty areas of cardiology. The core rotations are organized as follows:

• PGY4: 3 months in Echocardiography/Noninvasive Laboratory, 3 months in Cardiac Care Unit, 2 months in Cardiac Catheterization, 2 months in Consult Service, 1 month in Nuclear Cardiology, and 1 month in Electrophysiology.
• PGY5: 3 months in Nuclear Cardiology, 2 months in Echocardiography/Noninvasive Laboratory, 2 months in Cardiac Care Unit, 2 months in Cardiac Catheterization, 2 months in Consult Service, 1 month in Electrophysiology, and 1 month in Nuclear Cardiology.
• PGY6: 1 month in Cardiac Care Unit, 1 month in Consult Service, 1 month in Echocardiography/Noninvasive Laboratory, followed by 9 months of electives.

Elective opportunities include multimodality imaging such as cardiac CT, echocardiography, vascular imaging, nuclear studies, and cardiac MRI, allowing fellows to tailor their education to their specific interests 2.

Faculty and Leadership

The program boasts a distinguished faculty with extensive experience and expertise in various cardiology subspecialties. This facilitates an exceptional learning environment where fellows benefit from mentorship and guidance throughout their training journey. The Program Director and faculty are dedicated to developing the next generation of physicians and physician leaders while supporting fellows in their career aspirations 3.

Salary and Benefits

Fellows at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital receive competitive financial support and an array of benefits designed to enhance their training experience. The compensation package includes:

• An annual salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Flexible spending accounts
• CorePlus voluntary benefits
• HCA 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• 20 days paid time off (PTO) per academic year
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling and support services
• Two lab coats and access to free meals in the hospital cafeteria

These benefits enhance the overall well-being of the fellows during their training 1.

Visa Support and Application Process

Aventura Hospital does not sponsor visas for its clinical trainees, which is an important consideration for international medical graduates (IMGs) looking to apply 1. Prospective fellows must provide a completed ERAS application, curriculum vitae, personal statement, medical school transcript, three letters of recommendation, a passport-style photograph, and verification of their training from previous medical schools and residency programs.

Competitiveness and Alumni Outcomes

The fellowship at Aventura Hospital is competitive, with a mix of local and out-of-state applicants. Current fellows have varied backgrounds, and alumni of the program are well-positioned for diverse career paths following graduation, with many opting for private practice or further specialization in interventional cardiology 1.

The program also emphasizes board exam preparation, giving fellows the tools needed for success in obtaining relevant board certifications in the field of cardiovascular disease 1.