Critical Care Track for Cardiology

This one-year ACGME-approved clinical fellowship provides a comprehensive training program for fellows interested in leading the field of cardiovascular critical care. The objective of this program is to provide an advanced fund of knowledge and specialized skills in the management of critically ill cardiovascular patients, including patients supported with durable and temporary VADS, ECMO, heart transplants, other complex cardiac surgery, cardiogenic shock, advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and refractory ventricular arrhythmias, emphasizing the critical nature of the patient’s recovery particularly in the early postoperative course.

Fellows spend several months in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Cardio-thoracic Surgical Intensive Care Unit, working alongside Intensivists with backgrounds in Cardiac Surgery, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Anesthesiology and Surgical Critical Care. The faculty provides opportunities for the fellow to acquire an in-depth knowledge of critical care as well as advanced clinical skills in the post-operative care of cardiac surgical patients. Fellows will function as integral members of the ICU team and are responsible for the initial assessment, plan and follow up of all patients. Additional rotations in Neuro intensive care unit, and Trauma intensive care unit further allow for the fellow to acquire critical care skills.

The program offers excellent clinical exposure as well as directed, expert instruction, promoting self-directed education, and fostering the refinement of the fellow’s scientific and academic pursuits. Educational opportunities are tailored to suit the needs and interests of each fellow and consist of a combination of mentoring, monthly journal clubs, evidenced based case presentations, morbidity and mortality conferences, hands-on experience, and self-education.

Fellows who have research interests are strongly encouraged to use elective time to develop and pursue clinical investigations and are expected to present their work at national conferences.

To be eligible to apply for the Fellowship, physicians must have:

1. Graduated from an accredited medical school
2. Foreign medical graduates must hold a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
3. Completed an ACGME approved internal medicine residency, and cardiovascular disease fellowship
4. Achieved board eligibility in medicine, and cardiovascular disease

Interested applicants should email a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:

Sharon Mastele, Sharon.Mastele@ahn.org

For questions, please call (412) 359-5136

Carolyn Bowers, Carolyn.Bowers@ahn.org

For questions, please call (412) 359-5380