New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus) Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens is a comprehensive three-year program designed to develop highly skilled specialists and consultants in cardiovascular medicine. The program is established in a busy urban teaching hospital equipped with cutting-edge technologies in cardiovascular medicine, ensuring that fellows receive a robust educational experience.

The curriculum includes a core group of rotations aimed at providing a foundational understanding of contemporary cardiology, in addition to research, elective, and flexibility components that allow trainees to tailor their education in collaboration with program directors and mentors to prepare for various career paths in cardiovascular medicine.1

Fellows gain exposure to a wide range of areas in cardiovascular medicine, including but not limited to cardiac catheterization and intervention, electrophysiology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac MRI and CT, and cardiac rehabilitation, as well as allied fields such as cardiac and vascular surgery. The program accepts four fellows each year.1

Application Requirements

To apply for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, candidates must fulfill several requirements: they must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or hold a J1 visa. Applicants are required to complete a three-year accredited Internal Medicine program in the United States. Furthermore, candidates must provide evidence of their USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 scores for interview consideration, with general expectations of scoring 225 and above on Step 1 and 230 and above on Step 2, both on the first attempt. Additionally, it is required that Step 2 CS is passed on the first attempt. For osteopathic applicants, a score of 500 or above on COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2 CE (both on the first attempt) is necessary.1

Residency requirements necessitate that candidates complete Step 3 by the middle of their PGY-2 year, and those entering the fellowship must complete Step 3 before acceptance into the program, thus before the MATCH process. Evaluations are based on academic performance reviews, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview conducted by the program director. Selection occurs through the National Residency Matching Program, and applications are accepted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).1

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum includes both clinical and research components emphasizing patient care and supervisory responsibilities. Trainees are responsible for developing diagnostic strategies, planning care, managing records, prescribing medications, preparing discharge summaries, and making decisions relevant to patient care, all under supervising attending physicians. Time spent in consultative roles is credited towards patient responsibility, enriching the fellows' educational experience.3

Core procedural requirements for the fellowship include performing:

• 150 right and left heart catheterizations
• 450 exercise stress tests
• 100 nuclear stress tests
• 200 echocardiography studies (perform)
• 150 echocardiography studies (interpret)
• 3,800 electrocardiograms
• 150 ambulatory ECG recordings

The didactic components of the program feature a series of conferences including weekly core cardiology and case conferences, fellows' morning reports, a monthly basic science/research conference, and a weekly journal club designed to enhance clinical knowledge.3

Rotations and Conferences

The fellowship encompasses a variety of rotations including:

• Coronary Care Unit
• Consultative Cardiology
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Echocardiography
• Nuclear Cardiology
• Cardiac CT/MRI
• Electrophysiology
• Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation

Noteworthy summits for fellows will occur across different locations primarily at NYP Queens Campus and NYP Weill Cornell Campus, allowing for rich interactions in various healthcare settings and learning environments.2

Faculty Expertise

The faculty for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship is composed of renowned physicians with specialized expertise in clinical cardiology. The varied backgrounds of the faculty ensure that fellows receive comprehensive training and mentorship throughout their education, preparing them for successful careers in cardiovascular medicine.4

Visa Support

The program supports visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, particularly for J1 visa holders, which is crucial for candidates seeking positions who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This aspect enhances the fellowship's accessibility to a broader group of applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences.1

Competitiveness

The fellowship program is highly competitive, emphasizing a rigorous selection process. Candidates with strong academic backgrounds, as evidenced by their exam scores and previous training, stand out. The program is designed to be accessible to both Domestic and IMG (International Medical Graduates) applicants, thereby fostering a rich learning environment through diversity.1