Program Overview
The Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Virginia is proud of our commitment to excellence in patient care, education, research, and community outreach. Our Fellowship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and successful completion qualifies the trainee to take the Pediatric Cardiology Sub-board examination for certification by the American Board of Pediatrics.
The UVA Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship offers an active combined program of clinical and research training. Trainees acquire the clinical and technical skills necessary to function independently as a pediatric cardiologist in addition to learning the general principles and techniques of scientific investigation. Three years of training are required, in accordance with the American Board of Pediatrics, and are divided as outlined below.
Applicant Qualifications and Licensure
Fellows are selected from applicants who will have completed training in pediatrics at the time their fellowship would begin. A Virginia license to practice medicine is not required as UVA grants fellows an institutional training permit. The University of Virginia does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or political affiliation. The stipend for fellows is set annually by the UVA Health System.
Innovative 4 years in 3 years Opportunity
Using the ACGME’s Pediatric Milestones 2.0 as the guide, motivated fellows achieving competencies at an accelerated level can be offered the opportunity to finish categorical clinical training in just 2 years and move solely to advanced training for their 3rd year. This will allow completion of categorical training and traditional 4th year advanced training in just a 3-year program – otherwise known as a “4 in 3 model”
Certificate of completion of advanced training will be offered in the following disciplines:
- Non-Invasive Imaging
- Heart Failure and Transplant
We still have an option for those fellows interested in pursuing a traditional 3-year categorical fellowship. If this is the case, we hope to tailor the 3rd year to the fellow’s career goals. A fellow desiring a procedural based advanced training (invasive EP and interventional cardiology), a dual-boarded programs (cardiac ICU), or other sub-subspecialty (sports cardiology and exercise testing, research, quality initiatives, education, etc) can spend the majority of their third year in that discipline, giving fellows a significant advantage and head start to their careers.
The University of Virginia Children’s Heart Center is committed to allowing fellows to tailor their training in the most efficient and effective way possible. It is for this reason that we are excited to offer this GME-approved innovative approach to fellowship training. For incoming motivated fellows looking for an accelerated model, this is an excellent and unique opportunity.
4th Year Training Opportunities
Additional fourth year subspecialty training is available in advanced cardiac imaging, heart failure/transplant, and cardiac intensive care when available. Fourth year training in each of these subspecialties is also offered to qualified external candidates when positions are available.
Program Structure
| Block | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inpatient and Consults¹ | 12 weeks | 6 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Invasive Cardiology | 10 weeks | 4 weeks | |
| Non-Invasive Cardiology | 13 weeks | 4 weeks | |
| Electrophysiology | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| CICU | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Research | 4 weeks | 25 weeks | 18 weeks |
| Flex Time² | 13 weeks | ||
| Clinic | ½ day per week | ½ day per week | ½ day per week |
| Vacation | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
¹Inpatient and Consults requires a significant amount of time in the CICU as well. The third years’ time on this service is treated as pre-attending time.
²Flex Time: Scheduled as a part of planning the 3rd year with the fellow’s mentor. It is designed to allow flexibility in gaining further interest in a certain area of pediatric cardiology and can include more time in invasive cardiology, advanced imaging, additional research, intensive care, electrophysiology, outpatient services, or other predetermined rotations discussed with the program directors.