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| Staff cardiologist, Jon Wahrenberger (left), reading ECGs with cardiology fellow Jeffrey Olson. |
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The General Fellowship in Detail
The full-time fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) provides training for physicians planning careers in cardiology. The program curriculum covers all aspects of noninvasive and invasive clinical cardiology and offers substantial academic opportunities for teaching and research. Clinical conferences, Grand Rounds, research seminars and journal clubs supplement the core clinical teaching.
As a regional tertiary care facility, DHMC serves as a resource to hospitals and health care providers throughout New Hampshire, eastern Vermont and western Massachusetts. In its role as an academic medical center, DHMC is a significant contributor to ongoing research in the field of cardiology as well as many other areas of medical science. Unique cardiac research programs at Dartmouth include the Angiogenesis Research Center and the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Center. Other areas of research interest in cardiology include cardiac epidemiology, outcomes and decision-analysis, therapeutic catheterization and devices, echocardiography and electrophysiology. The Division of Cardiology participates in single and multicenter trials, and opportunities for basic research in conjunction with Dartmouth Medical School faculty are available.
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Above: 2006-2007 Cardiology fellows, including general, EP and interventional fellows, with Edward Catherwood, Fellowship Director, in center of bottom row. |
The Fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases is a comprehensive and intensive program during which fellows will be expected to:
- achieve clinical excellence in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disorders;
- gain complete familiarity with the diagnostic techniques and imaging equipment that are essential to current cardiological practice;
- understand the underlying pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease;
- acquire the knowledge and experience for certification by the Subspecialty Board on Cardiovascular Disease;
- participate in scholarly educational and research activity
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The General Fellowship in Detail
The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship is a 3-5 year program, four positions per year, with opportunities for advanced subspecialty training. During the first two years, fellows gain familiarity with all of the major areas of clinical activity and acquire special training in noninvasive and invasive laboratory skills. In addition, first-year trainees take a course in research methodology. At the conclusion of the second year, most fellows will select an area of interest within cardiology (interventional catheterization, electrophysiology, noninvasive imaging, preventive cardiology) for special focus during the third and fourth years. However, general cardiology training can still be accomplished within three years if desired. Depending on the fellow's career goals, anywhere from 6-12 months may be spent in research activities. In addition, intense research training in basic or clinical investigation is offered to select fellows after completion of the first 2 years of the program.
Fellowship Structure
I. Goals
A. To provide all cardiology fellows with clinical and laboratory training to a Level I competence in all disciplines by 24 months into the program. B. To promote the credentialing of all fellows interested in a broad-based clinical practice in the following laboratory skills:
1. Independent diagnostic cardiac catheterization (Level II) 2. Nuclear cardiology training sufficient for NRC licensure (Level II)
3. Echocardiographic techniques, including special studies (Level III)
C. To foster the development of an academic and research experience commensurate with a career commitment to teaching and clinical investigation (Level II).
D. To encourage training and intensive research within one of the subspecialties of cardiology during the third and fourth years.
II. Rotation Structure To Achieve Above Goals
A. First Year (13 Core rotations, each of 4 weeks duration)
1. Lab-based
a. Cardiac catheterization - 2 b. Echocardiography - 2 c. Imaging rotation - 1
d. Electrophysiology - 1
2. Clinical
a. CCU - 1 b. Telemetry/Consultation - 2 c. VA - 2 (includes additional experience in noninvasive lab-based techniques {ECG, ETT, Echo, Nuclear} and consultation) d. Congenital heart disease - 1
e. Ambulatory Continuity Clinic - 1/2 day throughout the year
3. Research -1 Introduction to research
a. Study design b. Review of statistics, epidemiology, decision-analysis
c. Computer skills (spreadsheets, statistical packages)
B. Second Year
1. Core completion
a. Lab-based
i. Cardiac catheterization - 3 ii. Echocardiography - 3 iii. Electrophysiology - 1
iv. Imaging rotation- 1
b. Clinical
i.CCU - 2 ii. VA - 1
iii. Telemetry/consultation - 1
2. Research - 1.
Research effort may be linked to additional laboratory experience, but the expectation is that this time will be used for planning/initiating the clinical or basic science investigative focus for years 3-4.
C. Third and Fourth Years
1. 12-18 months of intensive training in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging or preventive cardiology (MPH degree, CECS).
2. Research - 6-12 months.
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