New York Presbyterian Hospital Program (Cornell Campus)

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship

The Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital, within the Weill Cornell Medicine’s Maurice R. and Corinne P. Greenberg Division of Cardiology, is a one-year ACGME-accredited program designed to prepare highly qualified candidates for careers in advanced heart failure management and cardiac transplantation. This program emphasizes a comprehensive training model that focuses on the complexities of managing advanced congestive heart failure, including acute decompensated heart failure, mechanical assist devices, and perioperative management of high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Fellows will gain hands-on experience with various mechanical circulatory support technologies, such as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), biventricular support systems, as well as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with end-stage heart failure. An integral aspect of the fellowship is training in the evaluation and management of pulmonary hypertension, where fellows will encounter patients across the World Health Organization (WHO) Groups 1-5. Exposure to cardiac transplantation occurs at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia Medical Center, providing additional breadth to the training.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship integrates nine months of intensive clinical training split between various rotations. This includes three months focused specifically on transplant cardiology at Columbia Medical Center. During this period, fellows will manage a diverse patient cohort, including cases requiring advanced heart failure therapeutics and evaluation for transplantation.

Fellows will engage in continuity clinics on a weekly basis, allowing for consistent patient management experience. Additional training components include organ procurement, endomyocardial biopsy techniques, and the management of implantable cardiac devices. The comprehensive core curriculum covers advanced topics such as pulmonary hypertension, transplant cardiology, and complex congenital heart disease.

Fellow participation in monthly Journal Clubs and Specialty Conference is also a requisite part of the educational experience, enhancing both academic growth and peer collaboration.

Research Opportunities

Research forms a critical component of the fellowship, where fellows are expected to engage in various scholarly activities. The program encourages fellows to participate actively in ongoing research projects, which seek to contribute to the advancement of cardiology and enhance clinical practices. The clinical research initiatives encompass areas such as outcomes following heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support efficacy, and long-term patient management strategies.

Training Environment

The fellowship offers robust training alongside a multidisciplinary team consisting of cardiac imaging specialists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, rheumatologists, and oncologists. This collaborative environment is designed to foster comprehensive understanding and skill development in multifaceted clinical scenarios.

With a high-volume clinical service, the fellowship trains fellows to become proficient in both inpatient and outpatient management of advanced cardiac patients. The program is developed to meet all the requirements for board certification in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support for international applicants. It is a friendly program for both DO graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), which means a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its ranks. The fellowship can sponsor J-1 and H-1B visas for eligible candidates.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship is considered competitive, attracting a diverse pool of applicants. Generally, candidates should hold an MD or equivalent degree with completion of an internal medicine residency program. Specific special application requirements may include a maximum number of failed STEP exams and conditions related to the year of graduation.