McLaren Health Care/Greater Lansing/MSU Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at McLaren Greater Lansing is dedicated to fostering future leaders in cardiovascular medicine. The program's mission is to educate fellows on the comprehensive assessment and management of cardiovascular diseases, adhering to the requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the overarching goals of McLaren Health Care Corporation.

This fellowship offers a structured three-year training experience designed to develop competent physicians. Fellows engage with a diverse patient population in the Mid-Michigan/Greater Lansing community through both inpatient and outpatient clinical training, which includes direct patient contact and exposure to clinical research. Quality improvement and awareness of healthcare costs are integral objectives of the training.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is organized to provide fellows with extensive training and supervision in the evaluation and management of various acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, lipid disorders, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, and others. The training significantly exceeds the specifications forboard certification in cardiology and ensures that fellows acquire the necessary competencies to excel as specialists in cardiovascular medicine 1.

Clinical Rotations

The fellowship consists of multiple rotations across various settings to ensure a well-rounded training experience. Key rotations include:

• Teaching Service: 4 months
• Electrophysiology: 1 month
• Catheterization Lab: 2 months
• Heart Station: 4 months
• Pediatric Cardiology: 1 month (at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital)
• Heart Failure: 1 month (at Spectrum Health - Butterworth Hospital)

Additional training includes rotations in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac transplant, cardiac imaging (CT/MRI), and extended opportunities in catheterization lab and heart station settings, highlighting the comprehensive training available within the program 1.

Training Sites

Core training takes place at prestigious facilities including:

• McLaren Greater Lansing (MGL), Lansing, MI
• Spectrum Health - Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Lansing, MI
• Spectrum Health - Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI
• E.W. Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI
• Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI
• McLaren Cardiovascular Group, Okemos, MI

Fellows will engage in continuity clinics, spending half a day weekly at McLaren Cardiovascular Group, which reinforces direct patient engagement 1.

Didactic Training and Conferences

The program emphasizes ongoing education through a robust didactic schedule that includes:

• Weekly board reviews and specialty conferences on Echos, Catheterization, and Cardiology.
• Monthly journal clubs and research conferences.
• Biweekly electrophysiology conferences for advanced training.

Such educational activities are designed to enhance learning and professional development throughout the fellowship 1.

Application Requirements

Applicants must fulfill specific eligibility criteria to be considered for the program. These include:

• Completion of medical school within the last five years.
• Proof of US citizenship, as the program does not provide visa sponsorship.
• Successful completion of an Internal Medicine Residency accredited by AOA or ACGME standards.
• A minimum score of 500 on the COMLEX or 225 on the USMLE, with evidence of passing these examinations on the first attempt.

Applicants must submit their applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), accompanied by a Dean's letter, curriculum vitae, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation 1.

Competitiveness

The program is highly competitive, attracting a diverse group of applicants including both DO (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) and IMG (International Medical Graduates) candidates. Meeting the stringent application requirements is crucial for candidates aiming to secure an interview and ultimately a position in the fellowship.

Scholarly Activities

Active participation in scholarly activities is a hallmark of the fellowship experience. Each fellow is expected to engage in:

• Conference presentations, submitting abstracts for oral or case presentations at regional conferences.
• Research projects that culminate in the submission of abstracts to peer-reviewed journals.
• Quality improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient safety and quality of care through collaboration with faculty mentors.

This commitment to scholarly work culminates in the development of not only clinical skills but also research-oriented competencies 1.