Interventional cardiology fellowship

The Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at Spectrum Health Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute is a one-year subspecialty fellowship designed to train individuals to perform interventional procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Fellows selected for this program will continue their education by gaining impressive, hands-on experience with laboratory hours, procedural participation and patient interaction.

Interventional cardiology is an advancing section of the study of cardiovascular care. To continue improving the way we provide care for our patients, we aim to make our program one that will include top-of-the-line training opportunities with innovative technologies and ground-breaking techniques.

The Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is one of the newest fellowship programs to be offered at Spectrum Health. Training in the Spectrum Health Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute in Grand Rapids, this fellowship program brings dedicated learners and some of the best interventional cardiologists together for a one-of-a-kind experience. Learn more about our program by reading our program aims.

Within this program, fellows are evaluated during time spent in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and participation in the percutaneous coronary interventional procedures performed there. Under the direct supervision of an interventional cardiology faculty member, fellows take part in all aspects of interventional cardiac care and are heavily involved in procedures as well as triage of incoming patients and post-procedural care.

Fellows are exposed to:

• PCI procedures are expected to be more than 300 percutaneous coronary interventions to include all types of techniques used to treat obstructive coronary artery disease with more than 50 percent of procedures performed via radial artery access and approximately 50 percent from a trans-femoral approach.
• Left ventricle assist support for high risk coronary interventions, rotational atherectomy and STEMI (ST elevation MI) procedures (volume more than 50 cases).
• Advanced imaging used to assist with PCI procedures, including intravascular ultrasound and OCT imaging.
• Structural heart procedures and peripheral artery procedures are provided by opportunities to do elective rotations in these specific areas.

Additionally, fellows participate in a weekly, half-day clinic that focuses on interventional cardiology patients or structural heart interventional patients. These clinics offer the opportunity to discuss the importance of secondary prevention measures and allow the fellow an opportunity to understand the interdependence of various components of health care in optimizing patient outcomes.

Fellows participate in rounding on interventional cardiology patients with a supervising interventional cardiologist attending to further assist with the assimilation of knowledge of pre-procedure assessment, proper testing and procedures and post-procedure care of patients on their rounding service.

Call responsibilities: The interventional cardiology fellow is expected to take call at a maximum frequency of one in every four nights. The call will be intended to provide experience in performing primary PCI for patients presenting with a STEMI, management of patients presenting with out of hospital cardiac arrest as well as cardiogenic shock, and placement of hemodynamic support devices. When on-call the fellow is expected to be a resource for interventional cardiology related questions for the general cardiology fellow on call. This will not be in-house call.

As a nationally recognized health care system, Spectrum Health provides high quality clinical care to thousands of patients each year. Here are some of our clinical volumes for 2020:

• Cath Lab Encounters: 5,810
• Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: 1,280
• Diagnostic Catheterizations 4,530

Research opportunities are available, and fellows are expected to participate in clinical or translational research projects. Fellows are expected to produce at least two abstracts selected for presentation at a national or international cardiology meeting. In addition, fellows are expected to transform their research findings into a manuscript for further publication.

During the orientation period, fellows will complete the web-based research modules on ethical research conduct, use of human subjects, HIPAA compliance and conflict of interest.

Faculty and site support for the interventional cardiology fellow is provided by seven interventional cardiology board certified cardiologists.

All positions for the program are filled through the National Residency Matching Program. Eligibility requirements for our fellowship program:

• Applications are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service only, paper applications will not be considered
• All applicants must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 status
• Applicants must have completed three years of training in an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited cardiovascular disease program before entry into the fellowship program
• Applicants must be an MD or DO
• Applicants must have good communication skills

For more information, contact Tarra Geertman, cardiovascular disease program coordinator.

Spectrum Health provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.