HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Program

The Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital is a comprehensive one-year training program accredited through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). This program is designed to cultivate the next generation of interventional cardiologists dedicated to compassionate patient care and continuous learning. The fellowship adheres to the guidelines set forth by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Core Cardiovascular Training Statement (COCATS) established by the American College of Cardiology, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of education and training in the field.1

Program Mission

The mission of the HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program is to develop exceptional interventional cardiologists who are well-versed in providing quality patient care and demonstrating leadership in the field. By offering a pedagogical environment that emphasizes individualized learning, the program aims to enhance fellows' skills in clinical practice and expand their perspectives to include diverse cultural values and ideals.1

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is robust, with fellows spending the majority of their time engaged in hands-on experience within the Catheterization Laboratory, alongside a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. The fellows are directly involved in patient care starting from their first day, ensuring a high level of clinical exposure throughout the program. By the end of the fellowship, participants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in various aspects of cardiac catheterization and interventions.1

Clinical Responsibilities

Fellows will also have outpatient responsibilities one day a week where they provide care to patients undergoing pre-procedural and post-procedural evaluations. This dual experience facilitates comprehensive training and enhances the learning curve by allowing fellows to integrate clinical knowledge with outpatient care.2

Procedural Experiences

The fellowship includes exposure to a wide array of interventional cardiology procedures, such as:

• Coronary interventions including primary and rescue PCI for myocardial infarction
• Intracoronary stenting, rotational and laser atherectomy
• Complex invasive hemodynamic studies
• Structural heart interventions like TAVR and percutaneous valve repairs
• Endovascular neurosurgery exposure including carotid stenting and thrombectomy

This diverse procedural exposure develops a comprehensive skill set that is essential for a successful career in interventional cardiology.2

Educational Activities

Fellows participate in multiple educational activities including:

• Weekly catheterization and imaging conferences
• Monthly interventional journal club conferences
• Biweekly structural heart conferences
• Quarterly morbidity and mortality conferences
• Didactic lectures focusing on interventional techniques

These activities foster an environment of continuous learning and professional development while also encouraging fellows to engage in clinical research and scholarly activity.2

Faculty and Mentorship

The program boasts a team of skilled faculty whose extensive experience enriches the fellows' learning environment. The program's director and faculty exemplify the commitment to teaching and mentorship, ensuring fellows receive personalized guidance throughout their training. Faculty members have diverse backgrounds in cardiology, interventional procedures, and quality improvement initiatives, and they actively participate in the educational programs and research projects.3

Salary and Benefits

The compensation for fellows in the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is aligned with the fiscal year 2023-2024 standards, and fellows are provided with a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and options for flexible spending accounts. Additional benefits encompass professional memberships, conference and travel expenses, educational resources, and three weeks of annual paid leave for vacation or sick time.1

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for eligible international medical graduates through the J-1 visa program. This enables IMGs to gain the essential training and experience in interventional cardiology while complying with the necessary immigration requirements.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program is considered highly competitive. Prospective fellows are expected to demonstrate a commitment to cardiology, relevant clinical experience, and a strong academic record. Specific application requirements may include a maximum number of failed STEP exams and eligibility based on the year of medical school graduation. It is recommended that applicants thoroughly review any specific guidelines as part of the application process.