Naval Medical Center (San Diego) Program

Overview of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program

The Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Program at the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) is designed for Active Duty members of the United States Armed Forces who have completed a three-year ACGME-accredited residency in Internal Medicine. The program offers comprehensive training that adheres to the ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Cardiovascular Disease.

Curriculum Structure

The fellowship program spans three years and is divided into clinical rotations with each rotation block lasting four weeks. The program includes a total of 13 blocks each academic year.

Core Rotations and Responsibilities

Fellows will engage in various core rotations, each aimed at providing deep insight into essential aspects of cardiovascular medicine:

Cardiac Catheterization

This rotation focuses on the technical skills required for diagnostic and therapeutic catheter-based procedures. Fellows are expected to participate in at least 100 cardiac catheterizations and achieve proficiency by completing 300 procedures during their training.

Cardiovascular Imaging

Fellows will gain experience in advanced imaging techniques such as cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Electrophysiology

In this rotation, fellows will learn the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias and gain hands-on experience in electrophysiology studies and intracardiac ablations.

Heart Failure and Preventive Cardiology

This rotation emphasizes the management of heart failure and preventive strategies in cardiology.

Echocardiography

The echocardiography rotation is aimed at developing skills in performing and interpreting echocardiograms.

Nuclear Cardiology

Fellows will complete a rotation in nuclear cardiology where they will interpret various cardiovascular studies.

Elective Rotations

The fellowship allows for a limited number of elective rotations, enabling fellows to tailor their training to specific interests. Possible elective sites include Scripps Clinic, UCSD, and Sharp Memorial.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes quality improvement and research with fellows encouraged to participate. A dedicated block for research or quality improvement projects is included in the training schedule.

Unique Aspects of the Program

NMCSD offers a unique training environment, focusing on the cardiovascular needs of military personnel and their families, thereby providing a different perspective in managing heart diseases in diverse populations.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

This fellowship program is exclusively for Active Duty members of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, it does not sponsor visas, and all applicants must utilize the Medical Operational Data System (MODS) application for their application.

Additionally, there are specific application requirements, including completion of an ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine residency. The program does not accept applicants who have been out of medical school for more than four years.

Competitiveness and Ideal Candidates

The program places a significant emphasis on developing leaders in the field of cardiovascular medicine. Candidates must demonstrate strong clinical skills and a commitment to the military mission. As the program is designed for active-duty personnel, it is not considered DO or IMG friendly.