Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at Scripps Clinic provides an intensive and comprehensive training experience for fellows interested in pursuing a career in cardiology. The program is committed to cultivating skilled cardiologists who will emerge as leaders in the field, emphasizing both clinical exposure and research opportunities.

Program Overview

Scripps Clinic's fellowship program is designed to balance clinical training with robust research initiatives. The program offers unique training opportunities, distinguishing it from other fellowship programs. Notably, there is an integrative track that is the only integrative cardiology fellowship program in the country, which focuses on holistic patient care and preventive techniques to address cardiovascular diseases. Fellows will engage with outstanding clinicians and benefit from an environment that encourages growth and mentorship 1.

Clinical Exposure and Rotations

The fellowship provides extensive clinical exposure, taking place in various high-volume training sites. Qualifications include procedural experiences that surpass other programs, permitting fellows to achieve Core Cardiovascular Training (COCATs) Level 2 in multiple specialties, including nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, and diagnostic angiography. The program boasts a high clinical volume, with a significant number of procedures performed annually:

• 2,500 coronary interventions
• 380 transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR)
• 175 peripheral vascular procedures
• 75 Mitraclip procedures

Fellows are also involved in a variety of innovative procedures and treatments within a state-of-the-art facility, enabling them to gain substantial hands-on experience in a multitude of cardiology disciplines 2.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the fellowship, allowing fellows to engage in cutting-edge research initiatives. The program is supported by an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), alongside partnerships with Scripps Research, offering fellows a chance to partake in significant research projects. The research track is specifically tailored for those interested in pursuing a career as physician-scientists, culminating in a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Translational Investigation. Fellows typically have dedicated research time, especially during their third year, where they can focus on various cardiovascular research areas, including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and personalized medicine 3.

Integrative Track

The integrative track emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care. This includes various outpatient preventive and integrative techniques, such as lifestyle intervention programs, stress management, nutritional counseling, and advanced lipidology. The fellowship prepares candidates to be board-certified in both cardiology and integrative medicine, enabling them to champion a preventive approach to cardiovascular health 4.

Application and Eligibility

The program accepts MD or DO graduates who are US citizens or permanent residents. Candidates must have completed a three-year ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine residency and hold a current California Physician's and Surgeon's License upon starting the fellowship. Applicants must also provide a completed application, curriculum vitae, personal statement, and three endorsement letters, among other documents. This fellowship is considered competitive, with a focus on selecting candidates based on their academic excellence, character, and motivation 5.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

Currently, the program does not sponsor J1 or H1B visas, limiting its applicant pool to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The fellowship is regarded as highly competitive, tackling the intricacies of cardiovascular disease while preparing successful candidates for fruitful careers in both clinical and research domains.

Benefits and Support

Fellows are compensated through a structured salary scale that increases annually, with additional benefits including health and dental insurance, paid vacation days, parental leave, educational expenses support, and malpractice insurance. Fellows also receive laundry services for lab coats and scrubs, as well as complimentary parking, enhancing their overall fellowship experience 6.