Main Line Health System/Lankenau Medical Center Program

The Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Program at Lankenau Medical Center is an established program with over 25 years of experience, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This program offers fellowships in cardiovascular disease, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, and interventional cardiology, providing systematic training to fulfill background requirements for certification by the American Board of Cardiovascular Diseases. The program successfully integrates flexible training, allowing fellows to hone their expertise in one or more specific cardiology areas and is committed to an enriching educational environment.

The curriculum of the Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Program is comprehensive and designed to cultivate well-rounded clinical cardiology consultants. Training is divided over a three-year period, emphasizing direct patient care interspersed with didactic learning. The first year encompasses core clinical rotations fundamental to cardiology practice, while the second and third years allow for subspecialization based on the fellows' interests and career goals 1.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship's structure is divided into strategic areas of training. Below is an overview of the fellow's schedule for each year:

First Year

• Catheterization Laboratory: 2 blocks
• Echocardiography Laboratory: 3 blocks
• Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory: 1 block
• Coronary Care Unit (CCU): 1 block
• Electrophysiology Service: 2 blocks
• Bryn Mawr Hospital Service: 1 block
• Cardiovascular Consult Service: 3 blocks

Second Year

• Catheterization Laboratory: 1 block
• Echocardiography Laboratory: 3 blocks
• Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory: 3 blocks
• CCU: 1 block
• Elective: 1 block (with opportunities for Transplant at Jefferson University Hospital)
• Bryn Mawr Hospital Service: 1 block
• Electrophysiology Service: 1 block

Third Year

In the third year, the scheduling is more tailored based on the fellow's chosen subspecialty, with opportunities to spend blocks in outpatient clinic experiences relevant to specialties like Cardiac Genetics, Cardio-Oncology, and Preventive Cardiology, among others 2.

Conferences and Educational Activities

The program incorporates a rich educational framework through diverse conferences that cover major topics in cardiology. This includes:

• Core Curriculum Lecture Series covering topics such as Ischemic Heart Disease and Heart Failure.
• Weekly Conferences on echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and catheterization.
• Cardiology Grand Rounds featuring discussions with experts.
• Electrocardiography and Electrophysiology Conferences
• Morbidity and Mortality Conferences.
• Medical Grand Rounds with distinguished speakers in internal medicine and subspecialties.

The integration of clinical decision-making meetings and journal clubs further supports a robust educational experience, allowing fellows to engage in scholarly discussions and collaborative learning 3.

Research Opportunities

Research is a cornerstone of the Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Program, with the Lankenau Heart Institute conducting several clinical trials. Fellows have access to the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, which is renowned for its research in heart disease. This includes ongoing studies that focus on innovative treatments and methodologies in cardiovascular care, allowing fellows to participate actively in both clinical and bench research 4.

Application and Selection Criteria

In terms of application processes, the Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Program requires candidates to submit an ERAS application, CV, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation, including one from their current program director, as well as a medical school dean's letter and transcript. The program is known for being competitive but is also open to DOs and IMGs 5.

Visa Support

The program provides support for visas, being able to sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas for qualified international medical graduates.

Unique Aspects

What distinguishes this fellowship program is its integration of advanced technologies and methodologies in teaching. The audience response system used in lectures enhances learning and retention of information. The faculty comprises renowned professionals in various subspecialties, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience to fellows throughout their training 6.