St Luke's University Hospital Program

The Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute is a two-year program affiliated with the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine (UMKC). The program is designed to provide an extensive education in cardiac electrophysiology through a mix of didactic coursework and hands-on experience. Trainees will work alongside six board-certified electrophysiologists at a high-volume center, which performs a diverse array of electrophysiology procedures.

In this fellowship, fellows will gain practical experience in outpatient clinics, as well as device interrogation and management. The training also emphasizes the growth of fellows' independence, particularly in managing clinical cases. Additionally, recruiting fellows into rigorous outcomes research is encouraged, promoting participation in a globally recognized cardiovascular outcomes research group that contributes over 180 publications annually.

Training Features

The fellowship program features:

• A collaborative environment with a dedicated team of eight academically trained electrophysiologists, EP nursing staff, and seven EP nurse practitioners.
• Advanced electrophysiology labs equipped with four 3D mapping systems, and technologies supporting radiofrequency and pulsed field ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, in addition to a hybrid lab for laser lead extraction.
• A strong emphasis on academic research, providing opportunities for innovation with a robust outcomes research division and dedicated research nursing staff actively engaged in over 15 ongoing EP research projects.
• An extensive cardiac care setting that offers more than 40 transplants and 20 LVADs per year.
• Comprehensive exposure to managing and ablating arrhythmias in a complex patient population.
• Integration into an established fellowship program with additional subspecialties in general cardiology, interventional cardiology, heart failure, structural cardiology, and outcomes research.
• Access to a high-volume service supported by a multidisciplinary team.
• A program with over 20 years of fellowship training experience.

Achievements and Recognition

Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute is distinguished for its clinical quality and research excellence. Since the initiation of the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship program in 1998, it has graduated 21 fellows. The program recently received high marks from reviewers during a successful 10-year accreditation review by the American Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

The faculty members partake in approximately 20 clinical research trials annually and are leaders in offering regional and national training programs focused on new therapies in electrophysiology.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this fellowship, candidates must be either US citizens or eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship. Additionally, applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited three-year fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease.

Application Process

The application process consists of submitting materials exclusively via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) within the stipulated application window from August 1 to September 30. Interviews are typically conducted during September and October.

Required Documents

A complete application must include:

• ERAS common application form.
• Personal statement.
• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• A photograph.
• Transcripts from USMLE or COMLEX.
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable).
• Medical school transcripts.
• MSPE (Dean's letter).
• Three letters of recommendation, with one from the current or prior cardiology program director.

Visa Support

The program offers support for J-1 visa sponsorship only, accommodating international medical graduates who meet the aforementioned eligibility criteria.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The program is known to be competitive, and applicants are encouraged to have robust academic and clinical background experiences. Special application requirements may involve limits on the number of test failures; specifically, the program typically does not accept applicants who have failed any step of the USMLE exam more than once.

Unique Aspects of the Program

One of the defining features of the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program is its access to cutting-edge technology and the opportunity for fellows to participate in innovative research that influences patient care practices and outcomes in electrophysiology. The collegial atmosphere and comprehensive training across various subspecialties further enhance the experience, making this program particularly attractive to aspiring electrophysiologists.