Orlando Health Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at Orlando Health is an ACGME accredited program designed to cultivate exemplary cardiologists who are adept in delivering comprehensive patient care in the field of cardiovascular health management. The program aims to provide a thorough training experience that encompasses a wide spectrum of clinical exposure, procedural competencies, and scholarly activities tailored to the challenges of modern cardiovascular practice. The fellowship structure promotes not only clinical and procedural acumen but also emphasizes the importance of research, facilitating a well-rounded learning environment.

The program boasts a robust curriculum that blends clinical training with academic opportunities and research. Fellows can expect to engage in a rigorous schedule that includes intensive clinical rotations, one-on-one mentorship, and didactic sessions aimed at enhancing their understanding of cardiovascular diseases. This integrated model ensures that fellows are not only proficient clinicians but also well-prepared for the academic and research demands of the specialty.1

Program Structure and Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into multiple key components, allowing fellows to develop competencies across various aspects of cardiovascular diseases. It consists of clinical rotations in diverse settings, didactic teachings, hands-on procedural training, and research initiatives. The program encourages fellows to explore their individual interests within cardiology, thus equipping them to excel in future practice environments, whether they choose to enter private practice, academic institutions, or pursue further subspecialty training. The comprehensive training includes:

Clinical Rotations

Fellows rotate through various specialties within cardiology, including general cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and advanced imaging. Each rotation is designed to provide critical exposure to a variety of cardiovascular conditions, enhancing the fellow's clinical judgment and procedural skills. Specific training sites include the Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, which is a tertiary care facility and offers comprehensive services including a Level One Trauma Center and heart failure accreditation.9

Procedural Training

The program emphasizes hands-on procedural experience, ensuring that fellows achieve competence in essential cardiology procedures, such as catheterizations, echocardiograms, and cardiac imaging. With oversight from experienced faculty, fellows regularly perform a variety of procedures, reaching volumes that often exceed recommended benchmarks for competency, thereby enhancing both knowledge and skill.13

Research Opportunities

Research forms a cornerstone of the fellowship experience at Orlando Health. Fellows are encouraged to engage in quality assurance and improvement projects, clinical trials, and presentations at key scientific meetings. The program supports attendance at national conferences, facilitating professional networking and collaboration opportunities with leaders in the field.19

Diversity and Inclusion

The fellowship program at Orlando Health actively promotes diversity and inclusion within its ranks. The initiative aims to recruit and support trainees from underrepresented groups in medicine, enriching the learning environment for all fellows. This commitment strengthens the program's educational mission and contributes positively to patient care.4

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit a comprehensive application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Requirements include a personal statement, a curriculum vitae, medical school diploma, USMLE scores, and three letters of recommendation—one from the program director of the applicant’s residency.8 Notably, the program does not offer sponsorship for J1 or H1 visas, which may impact international medical graduates considering application.11

Salary and Benefits

The fellowship provides competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Salary scales for fellows are structured across the post-graduate years, with opportunities for additional financial support including stipends for food, books, and travel to research conferences. Benefits package includes health insurance, retirement matching, and ample vacation leave.20

Life in Orlando

Living in Orlando provides a vibrant lifestyle filled with diverse cultural and recreational activities. The city's amenities include world-class dining, shopping, professional sports, and easy access to beautiful beaches, making it a highly attractive location for fellows and their families.7

Competitiveness and Cohort Diversity

The program is competitive in nature, welcoming a variety of applicants and focusing on recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds. An emphasis on maintaining a supportive environment contributes to its reputation of being notably friendly towards International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and those with DO backgrounds. Such inclusiveness broadens the array of experiences brought into the fellowship, ultimately enriching training and education.