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Interventional Cardiology fellowship July 2016
- Thread starter blasmici
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I can't really say yet where I chose only Cuz I'm awaiting to sign the contract and am pretty superstitious about not saying until its sealed.
. I got 2 days to decide. Turned out ok though, not complaining. I decided on my second interview... Saved cost of 7 other interviews.- Joined
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Cathqueen that post is probably going to be very helpful for the people next year, I'll add a few things I learned about the process.
There are programs that are outside the ERAS, these are difficult because they all have their own application and it eats up a lot of time. I ended up not interviewing at any of these places, maybe they were more likely to take internal candidates. Who knows.
There are programs that are listed inside ERAS, but have already filled internally (annoying). In the end I applied broadly and this was helpful. For me, I ended up getting invites from 1/3 of the places I applied, 1/3 of the places filled internally, 1/3 rejections. So the application fee was expensive but in the end I think it paid off. No matter how good a person is I wouldn't be cocky in this process, its pretty darn competitive, few spots, and the applicants I was with were really amazing so my recommendation is be grateful for each invite and any home institution opportunities.
All this info on the programs is strictly opinion / recollection from interview. I would certainly defer to anyone with better info. The interview is the best place to get info about the program.
Ochsner Clinic: 2 years. This place is good if you fit in. The New Orleans culture is pervasive but this is not a bad thing however it is something to be aware of. They are doing some very aggressive stuff. Impression I get is that the people here leave being able to put a stent/valve/device/whatever whereever. The STEMI volume is lower because they mostly go to the other hospitals because of location. From what I was told you need 2 years to get the coronary numbers, but that is more by design of the system and 2 years are mandatory anyway so not a big deal.
Mayo clinic: 2 year program. Like cath queen said its Mayo clinic. The didactic education seemed fantastic. Hands on it was unclear. The drawback is everything is very specialized. For example, interventional fellows do not do pericardiocentesis, and never have the opportunity to learn it (at least so I was told) as there is one echo person who does them all. Any degree of autonomy seems non-existent and a big reason the internal candidates were looking elsewhere (or so they said). It really has to fit the individual's career goals and you have to be ok with the training / supervision model. Overall this place is definitely worth the interview / application fee but only right for a particular person.
Methodist Houston: 1 + 1 structural. Although new it appears to be a very strong program and has the potential to be very busy. In 2016 they may have up to 16 cath labs and we were told that some of the St. Lukes/THI faculty may move to Methodist with the problems at St Lukes. The current Methodist fellows had all their coronary / peripheral numbers by mid year and only had a few carotids left to do.
Mass general: 1 + 1 structural or 1 peripheral. Coronary numbers did not seem like they would be a problem. Nice facilities and the people there seemed quite happy and fun to work with. The fellows coming out seemed like they were quite competent / comfortable and I suspect the 1 year would provide excellent coronary training.
That might be a little late to reply this post but Beaumont and U Wisconsin should be among your top choices. Liked Beaumont a lot. Strong private hospital and clinical training w opportunities to do research if you want/like.
Univ Miami is not doing well. A good TAVR operator recently resigned, the fellows barely get their numbers to graduate and cath labs are very disorganized.
Columbia: 1 year for 'simple coronaries'+ 1 for str/periph/complex PCI-CTO-big name high vol academic prog, but have reduced number of spots by 1.No scope essentially of research in the coronary year as the day usually lasts from 7-7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.Also presence of 'angioplasty specialists' may undermine autonomy.THE PLACE if want to do valves, but wont get to actually deploy until 3 rd yr of intervention-ie, 1 cor, 1 structural-then one becomes the VALVE fellow.
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By now should it be considered that all positions have been filled?
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Process unclear to me. Seems like many "big" programs filled early (e.g. Scripps, Columbia, Mayo, BI, B&W, etc.)
Anyone knows which are the programs still open?
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My anecdotal lack-of-evidence based opinion suggests that less than 20% of the positions remain unfilled. Additionally, some previously filled positions may open up due to "change in mind" of the accepting applicant.
U
uselessmember
I will say it was an interesting process. There are a lot of ERAS and non-ERAS applications...so to future applicants, make sure you research the programs well enough to know where you want to apply. For me, it came down to the scope of my future practice (private vs. academic) and the length of a program (mandatory 2 years vs. 2nd optional year for peripheral/structural). Keep in mind that if you're really interested in research, even some well known programs don't allow the time in your schedule to make this practical.
The invites came in waves. Each program is different in their timeline, so no formula with this one. I definitely agree to apply widely, and it is pretty competitive so don't expect a ton of interviews (I had 8 at the time of accepting my offer). As mentioned earlier by another poster, remember that you are competing against other very highly accomplished fellows who all have great CV's.
I went through 3 interviews and cancelled the rest due to having an offer. Had about 2 days to decide and it was difficult not having the ability to finish all the interviews. Although, for me, the program I went with was probably my top choice (I say probably because there was one other program whose PD I admired but I ended up canceling the interview).
My main goal was to have the best training possible in 1 year for coronaries. I ended up choosing a high-volume center with fellows having a lot of autonomy and getting about 600 cases during the year. These included complex cases and training with all the latest technologies and devices, and learning from some big names in the field. Optional structural and peripheral tracks, in case I change my mind. Downside was not much time for research due to a heavier work schedule.
On a side note-- from what I learned on the interview trail, it's a big no-no to commit to one place and continue interviewing to try and "game" the process. In speaking with other applicants, this has backfired on people in the past (program finding out and withdrawing their offer, program contacting applicant's home institution, etc).
Also-- one program I heard had their interventional fellows "double scrubbing" to get their PCI numbers. I'm not sure exactly how this worked, or if it's even allowed, but I really didn't want to be a part of it (one of my cancelled interviews).
The invites came in waves. Each program is different in their timeline, so no formula with this one. I definitely agree to apply widely, and it is pretty competitive so don't expect a ton of interviews (I had 8 at the time of accepting my offer). As mentioned earlier by another poster, remember that you are competing against other very highly accomplished fellows who all have great CV's.
I went through 3 interviews and cancelled the rest due to having an offer. Had about 2 days to decide and it was difficult not having the ability to finish all the interviews. Although, for me, the program I went with was probably my top choice (I say probably because there was one other program whose PD I admired but I ended up canceling the interview).
My main goal was to have the best training possible in 1 year for coronaries. I ended up choosing a high-volume center with fellows having a lot of autonomy and getting about 600 cases during the year. These included complex cases and training with all the latest technologies and devices, and learning from some big names in the field. Optional structural and peripheral tracks, in case I change my mind. Downside was not much time for research due to a heavier work schedule.
On a side note-- from what I learned on the interview trail, it's a big no-no to commit to one place and continue interviewing to try and "game" the process. In speaking with other applicants, this has backfired on people in the past (program finding out and withdrawing their offer, program contacting applicant's home institution, etc).
Also-- one program I heard had their interventional fellows "double scrubbing" to get their PCI numbers. I'm not sure exactly how this worked, or if it's even allowed, but I really didn't want to be a part of it (one of my cancelled interviews).
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Please share the name of the program that double scrubs fellows. Things like this are never mentioned on interviews and would help inform the decision of candidates now and in the near future.
U
uselessmember
I think Bridgeport/Yale has an open position, but not sure if it has been filled. Good luck.
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Can you guys list the best "1 year programs?" which get you required numbers in coronaries, peripherals and structural?
Seems like most of the big named programs are 2 years now?
Seems like most of the big named programs are 2 years now?
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As far as I'm aware there is no program that gives your coronaries, peripherals and structural in 1 year.
Most places are either 2 years for most of that or 1 year just coronaries +/- optional second year for structural and/or peripheral,
U
uselessmember
I agree there are no 1 year programs left that will give you all 3 in one year. (I have not come across any at least).
Some places are good that you will get coronary + peripheral training.
Structural is fairly new in most smaller programs with attendings that are still getting comfortable (i.e. less involvement of fellow), and in larger programs there is usually a dedicated fellowship.
You can try a place with high volume like Sinai that you can do coronary/BAV/BMV/above-knee and below-carotid peripheral.
But if you want to get into TAVR/MitraClip/cartoid/DP/PT, you will have to do additional training (even at Sinai).
However, keep in mind that some people don't want to do an entire year of structural just to do TAVR.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you satisfy the requirements for a specific valve, you could potentially get additional proctored training from the company for that device and be certified.
Some places are good that you will get coronary + peripheral training.
Structural is fairly new in most smaller programs with attendings that are still getting comfortable (i.e. less involvement of fellow), and in larger programs there is usually a dedicated fellowship.
You can try a place with high volume like Sinai that you can do coronary/BAV/BMV/above-knee and below-carotid peripheral.
But if you want to get into TAVR/MitraClip/cartoid/DP/PT, you will have to do additional training (even at Sinai).
However, keep in mind that some people don't want to do an entire year of structural just to do TAVR.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you satisfy the requirements for a specific valve, you could potentially get additional proctored training from the company for that device and be certified.
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Thanks. I was talking to a few general fellows and they mentioned places like sinai, some community programs in NJ, UAB, Emory, Vanderbilt would let get you all of these in 1 year? Seems like Sinai and Methodist have already been ruled out on this message board. Any insights on the others? The websites of these places do not give all details..
I did not apply for the July/2016 Interventional spot due to family related reasons and had different plans. Is there any unfilled or recently "open" interventional spot available that anyone has come across? I will apply for 2017 but wondering if there is a way to find out about any July/2016 spots? Any information/resources or advice would be extremely helpful. Thanks guys!
U
uselessmember
Einstein in Philly is a 2 year program that supposedly gives you all 3. However, their STEMI volume is not that high, and I don't know their structural/peripheral volume.
Some community programs may tell you that you can get all 3 in one year, but I'm not sure if the experience will be a good one.
In my opinion, there are two main factors to consider:
First, what kind of volume are they doing?
Second, are you actually going to be the primary operator start to finish?
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Hey Guys, anyone out there know of any unexpected position openings for IC 2016 and location is not an issue. If anyone has heard anything through the grapevine I would appreciate it; Can also PM me. Thanks..
