University of Miami/Jackson Health System Program

Program Overview

The Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System offers a comprehensive three-year training dedicated to the subspecialty of pediatric cardiology. This program aims to equip fellows with extensive clinical experience, factual knowledge, technical skills, and clinical judgment essential for managing congenital heart diseases and acquired heart diseases from fetal life through adulthood.

The fellowship operates within a diverse and multicultural environment, leveraging the robust infrastructure of the Jackson Health System, fostering seamless care from fetal cardiology to adult congenital heart disease.

Educational Mission

The educational mission emphasizes broad clinical experience through progressive delegation of responsibility. Fellows are expected to grow in competence and independence, culminating in the ability to manage complex patient populations while being integral to teaching roles and participation in research.

Program Curriculum

Clinical Experience

The fellowship curriculum integrates clinical rotations to cover various aspects of pediatric cardiology:

• Year 1: Includes training in basic cardiac ultrasound principles, transthoracic echocardiography, and hands-on experience in collecting echocardiographic data.
• Year 2: Focuses on applying advanced echocardiographic techniques, fetal echocardiography, and performing stress tests in pediatric patients.
• Year 3: Entrains fellows in complex echocardiographic studies, including those on congenital heart defects; emphasis on mastering fetal echocardiograms and comprehensive reporting skills.

Research Opportunities

Fellows are strongly encouraged to engage in research initiatives. They can work on self-directed projects or collaborate on faculty-led research, enhancing their academic profile through presentations at local and national meetings.

Call Schedule

Fellows typically take at-home calls, with in-house calls required only when clinical demands necessitate. On average, this results in approximately one in-house call every five days, ensuring a balance between clinical responsibility and personal time.

Application Requirements and Competitiveness

The program adheres to the National Resident Matching Program for fellowship placements and accepts candidates with postgraduate training in an ACGME-accredited pediatric or medicine/pediatric residency program. Applicants must have successfully completed Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination prior to acceptance.

Regarding competitiveness, the fellowship is known to be selective, appealing to both U.S. graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs). The program encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates.

Visa Support

The fellowship program sponsors the J1 visa under the Alien Physician Program, which is typically utilized by international medical graduates seeking residency or fellowship training in the U.S.

Program Highlights

• Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
• Two fellows are accepted per year, ensuring personalized training experiences.
• Past fellows have shown an impressive 80% pass rate on the American Board of Pediatrics certifying exam over the previous five years.
• A significant portion of alumni progress towards faculty positions in academic medicine, while others find success in semi-academic or private practice settings.

Faculty and Alumni

The fellowship boasts a distinguished faculty team comprised of experts in various pediatric cardiology fields. Alumni of the program have successfully transitioned into notable positions across diverse health systems, showcasing the program's efficacy in training competent, knowledgeable physicians.