Cardiology Fellowship Training Program
M E T R O H E A LT H M E D I C A L C E N T E RC L E V E L A N D , O H I O
Contact Kara Quan, M.D., program director or Audrey Patterson, program coordinatorat (216) 778-2130 for further information.
Hello,
This brochure is provided to help answer themost important questions of the prospectiveCardiovascular Fellowship applicant.
We hope that we have succeeded in answering thefollowing questions.
What’s special about MetroHealth? 2A description of our best attributes
What is expected of me? 9A description of the various rotations and the fellow’s responsibilities
What conferences will I attend? 14A schedule and description of the conferences
With whom will I work? 15The faculty and staff pictures
How will my time be divided? 16A break down of the yearly schedule
What about Cleveland? 17Information about Cleveland and the surrounding area
MISSION STATEMENT
The MetroHealth System commits to leadership in providing outstanding health care services
which continually improve the health of the people in our community. We offer an integrated
program of services provided through a system that encompasses a partnership between
management and physicians and reflects excellence in patient care supported by superior
education and research programs. We are committed to responding to community needs,
improving the health status of our region and controlling health care costs. We hold as a core
value the provision of service to any resident of Cuyahoga County regardless of ability to pay.
THE HISTORYOF METROHEALTH
MetroHealth Medical Center was founded in
1837. Its first internship started in 1892, and in
1914, affiliation with Case Western Reserve
University began. The first research building
was completed in 1953 raising the standard of
medical care and attracting prominent scien-
tists to the hospital. Rammelkamp Center for
Education and Research Center was opened in
1992. Through many years and many advances,
it is now a 731-bed facility that stands as the
center of The MetroHealth System. Today,
MetroHealth continues to be an academic insti-
tution that is committed to excellence in patient
care, which is supported by superior education
and research programs.
What’s special about MetroHealth?
2
3
EDUCATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
As a major teaching facility of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine,
several hundreds of residents and medical students receive training in 18 fields of medicine
and surgery each year. All hospital full-time staff physicians hold faculty appointments at
Case Western Reserve University and have extensive teaching responsibilities throughout
the medical school curriculum. In addition, MetroHealth has a formal educational relation-
ship with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation that includes joint sections in Emergency
Medicine, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Neonatology. This strong relationship allows the
opportunity for fellows to perform clinical rotations in nuclear medicine, cardiac transplant,
and congenital heart disease at the Cleveland Clinic.
4
Heart & Vascular CenterMetroHealth’s Heart & Vascular Center provides comprehensive cardiovascular services to individuals
throughout Northeast Ohio and is nationally recognized for its leadership in the diagnosis, treatment,
and research of cardiovascular disease.The Center’s team includes 21 cardiologists, two cardiothoracic
surgeons, and two vascular surgeons, who are supported by a staff of highly trained and skilled physi-
cian assistants, nurse practitioners, registered and licensed practical nurses, and an array of technol-
ogists.
The Heart & Vascular Center celebrates the rich diversity of its patient population and focuses on pro-
viding comprehensive care and treatment for both the patient and family. A multidisciplinary approach
to the needs of patients is what makes MetroHealth’s Heart & Vascular Center unique. Together,
physicians, nurses, technologists, and other support staff work to make the practice of medicine truly
holistic in the following three key areas:
Clinical Care: MetroHealth’s Heart & Vascular Center provides fully integrated, multidisciplinary, car-
diovascular specialty care including invasive and noninvasive cardiology as well as cardiothoracic and
vascular surgery.
Research: MetroHealth is home to the Heart & Vascular Research Center, a state-of-the-art clinical
and basic science cardiovascular research center. The research studies underway at the Heart &
Vascular Research Center are collaborative in nature and promote interaction between clinicians, clin-
ical investigators, biologists, and biomedical engineers. This collaboration ensures that new diagnos-
tic techniques, treatments, and medical discoveries transition efficiently and effectively from the lab-
oratory to the bedside. Specific areas of excellence in basic cardiovascular research include mecha-
nisms and prevention of sudden cardiac death, Long QT Syndrome, and genetic susceptibility to
heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Education: As a campus of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, MetroHealth
offers comprehensive training programs aimed at developing the next generation of cardiovascular
physicians and scientists. In addition, the Heart & Vascular Research Center has developed a unique
Cardiovascular Scholars Program to train future physician scientists by providing selected cardiology
trainees with 2-3 years of additional dedicated research experience in one of MetroHealth’s cardio-
vascular laboratories.
THE FACULTY
The faculty of the Heart & Vascular
Center is committed to the training of
cardiovascular physicians who strive
to achieve the highest standards of
academic excellence as clinicians,
educators, and physician/scientists.
Each member of the department has
a full-time academic appointment at
the Case Western Reserve University
School of Medicine.
RAKITA CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
The Rakita Cardiac Intensive Care Unit is a busy, high-turnover, tertiary care unit. This unit
is named for Louis Rakita, M.D., who is a pioneer in cardiovascular disease and is a former
chief of cardiology at MetroHealth. The unit is equipped with a state-of-the-art, integrated
Hewlett Packard monitoring system.
Physicians working in the 12-bed acute care unit gain experience in the acute evaluation
and treatment of patients requiring critical care monitoring, mechanical ventilation, and
intra-aortic balloon pump support. Fellows will be exposed to patients with very diverse
pathophysiology of cardiac diseases.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY LABORATORY
The echocardiography laboratory at MetroHealth is the only adult echocardiography lab in
Cuyahoga County to be certified by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of
Echocardiography Laboratories. The laboratory performs approximately 10,000 studies per
year, which include transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms and stress testing.
The digital echocardiography system allows for immediate access to echocardiographic
images at any time from many locations within the Heart & Vascular Center.
5
6
CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LABORATORY
The cardiac catheterization laboratories at MetroHealth are both state-of-the-art General
Electric imaging suites. One is outfitted for peripheral imaging and revascularization pro-
cedures. The other employs a unique digital detector that offers enhanced image quali-
ty and reduced radiation dosage for patients, physicians, and nursing staff. Intravascular
ultrasound and intracoronary physiologic studies are routinely used in decision making
prior to interventional procedures. The laboratory is staffed 24 hours a day for emergen-
cies, and the interventional staff is committed to direct angioplasty for all acute myocar-
dial infarctions.
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY
There are seven faculty in the electrophysiology section. The electrophysiology labora-
tory encompasses both the invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed
for cardiac arrhythmias. The Siemens and General Electric imaging suites are outfitted
for ablation, intracardiac device implantation, lead extraction (Excimer laser) and intrac-
ardiac mapping (Biosense). Noninvasive electrophysiologic testing includes tilt-table
testing, Holter / event monitoring, and T-wave alternans testing.
HEART & VASCULARRESEARCH CENTER
The Heart & Vascular Research Center at
MetroHealth provides an outstanding
cross-disciplinary training environment to
develop novel insights into the mecha-
nisms, diagnosis, and a bench to bedside
approach to the treatment of cardiovas-
cular disease. Integrating outstanding
talent with state-of-the-art facilities from
both the Rammelkamp Center for
Education and Research and Case
Western Reserve University, the Heart &
Vascular Research Center strives for
excellence in cardiovascular investigation. A clinical trials committee and the General
Clinical Research Center provide guidance and support for faculty and fellows interested
in clinical trials. For further information, contact www.metrohealthresearch.org.
7
Basic Science Research
The basic science research section focuses on molecular, ion channel and cellular mecha-
nisms of cardiac physiology. Novel techniques include optical mapping, as well as confocal
and fluorescent microscopy. The expression of genes that regulate cardiac electrophysiol-
ogy and hemodynamics are explored using transgenics and mutagenesis. Animal models of
heart failure, cardiac remodeling, and re-entrant arrhythmias are other ongoing research ini-
tiatives.
Clinical Research
Clinical studies initiated by Heart & Vascular Center physicians include the evaluation of
nerve stimulation to reduce arrhythmia vulnerability, genetic and epidemiological studies of
the Long QT Syndrome, T-wave alternans / heart rate variability for the prediction of sudden
death, intravascular ultrasound and fractional flow reserve in acute coronary syndromes,
mechanisms of human repolarization, minimally invasive robot-assisted cardiac surgical pro-
cedures, and the assessment of novel echocardiographic indices of various disease states.
The Heart & Vascular Center is actively involved in many multi-center clinical trials and is
proud to be the coordinating center for a national multi-center trial designed to evaluate
arrhythmia risk stratification by ECG T-wave alternans (ABCD Trial).
CARDIAC REHABILITATION
The beautifully remodeled Lifestyle, Fitness, and
Rehabilitation Center provides the facilities for
comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation, Pulmonary
Rehabilitation, Smoking Cessation, and the Weigh
to Wellness (physician supervised weight loss) pro-
grams.
8
Fellowship TracksThe Cardiology Training Program at MetroHealth Medical Center offers three tracks thatare tailored to the future interests and needs of fellows in training.
Standard Track
This is a three-year program comprised of two clinical years and one research year, withan optional additional year for research. Most fellows place in this track. Often fellowsopt to have their research year during the second year, in order to allow them to com-plete their research project during the remainder of their fellowship.
Subspecialty Short Track
This is a four-year program comprised of two clinical years followed by two years in asubspecialty area. The fellow performs a long-term research project during the sub-specialty training years.
Cardiovascular Scholar Program
This four to five-year program begins with two to three years of basic research followedby two clinical years. This track is designed for selected fellows, who plan to havefuture careers in basic research and become academic leaders in their field.
Summary of available tracks
Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four
Standard Track Clinical Clinical Research
SubspecialtyShort Track Clinical Clinical Subspecialty Subspecialty
Clinical and Clinical andResearch Research
CardiovascularScholar Program Research Research Clinical Clinical
What are my options?
INPATIENT EXPERIENCE
The “inpatient” experience includes month-long rotations in the Rakita Cardiac
Intensive Care Unit, general cardiology consultation, and arrhythmia consultation serv-
ices. The level of responsibility increases with each of these rotations, as the fellow
advances through the fellowship program. In addition, a one-month heart failure/heart
transplantation rotation is done at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
General Cardiology Consultation Service
The cardiology consultation service is a busy month for the fellow, who acts as the
“point person” for both emergent and routine consultations throughout the institution.
The fellow, along with the medical residents and students, evaluates, prepares initial
plans, and devises a strategy for further management of patients. The entire team
rounds each day with the attending physician to finalize these plans. The fellow is
responsible for supervising and providing direct teaching and appropriate literature to
the medical residents and students rotating on the consultation service.
9
What is expected of me?
10
ARRHYTHMIA CONSULTATION SERVICE
The arrhythmia consultation service is staffed by one of the cardiac electrophysiologists. Fellows
assigned to the Arrhythmia Service assist with consultations and participate in the daily management
of patients on the service. The fellow participates in the interrogation of both pacemakers and Internal
Cardioverter-Defibrillators. He/she gains experience in interpreting Holter and event monitors and per-
forming supervised cardioversions. Lastly, fellows participate in a weekly outpatient clinic for the fol-
low-up of patients with pacemakers or Internal Cardioverter-Defibrillators.
THE RAKITA CARDIAC
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
The fellow is an integral part of the
CICU team, acting as the primary liai-
son between the medical residents,
patients, families, and nursing staff.
After evaluation of each new admis-
sion, the fellow is responsible for for-
mulating an initial plan of care and
then refining that plan after discussion
with the cardiology attending.
The fellow rounds each weekday and Saturday with the team and has an every third day call schedule
while in the CICU. Other responsibilities include didactic lectures for the students and medical resi-
dents rotating in the cardiology department for that month.
HEART FAILURE/TRANSPLANTATION ROTATION
The Congestive Heart Failure/Cardiac Transplantation Service, based at the Cleveland
Clinic Foundation, provides a unique opportunity for the fellow to become acquainted
with the issues crucial to those patients with advanced heart failure awaiting cardiac
transplantation. Pre-heart transplantation assessment is emphasized and fellows are
exposed to both short and long-term mechanical assist devices. The fellow also follows
patients in the immediate post-transplant period and can gain an appreciation of the
special needs and long-term follow-up care that is necessary to the successful recovery
of a heart transplant patient.
CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY AND
CARDIAC REHABILITATION EXPERIENCE
This is a combined cardiothoracic surgical and cardiac rehabilitation rotation. On the cardio-
thoracic surgical rotation, the fellow assists in the management of patients after cardiac
surgery. He/she learns to recognize and manage post-operative cardiac complications.
During this combined rotation, time is
spent in the cardiac rehabilitation pro-
gram. The fellow learns the principles of
lifestyle modification and the psychoso-
cial issues that are important in the suc-
cessful recovery of patients with heart
disease. Under the supervision of the
cardiac rehabilitation attending, the fel-
low evaluates and manages any compli-
cations that may occur during rehabilita-
tion exercise sessions.
11
OUTPATIENT EXPERIENCE
Continuity Clinic
Each fellow is responsible for a core
group of patients seen during the
general cardiology continuity clinic
located in the Heart & Vascular
Center outpatient area. Clinic for the
fellow is held one half day per week
for the duration of training. The fellows
at MetroHealth provide care for
approximately 200 outpatients with a
wide range of cardiovascular prob-
lems. During a typical session, a fel-
low will see two new patients and
four to six follow-up patients. Fellows also have the opportunity to supervise and teach medical students,
who rotate through the clinic. Attending supervision is at a ratio of one or two fellows per attending physi-
cian during these sessions. While they are precepting, the attending physicians have no other clinical
responsibilities, so that they can devote their attention to their teaching responsibilities.
NUCLEAR AND PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY EXPERIENCE
This is a combined rotation that is spent at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Mornings are spent evaluating
patients along with a pediatric cardiology faculty member in the outpatient pediatric cardiology clinic at the
Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The fellow gains knowledge of congenital heart disease through participation
in daily clinics as well as the weekly pediatric cardiology conference. Afternoons are spent in the nuclear
medicine department. The fellow participates in the review and interpretation of gated blood pool scans
and nuclear stress tests under the supervision of a nuclear medicine attending physician.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
The fellow is expected to learn the essentials of the scientific method, including research design, statisti-
cal analysis and the presentation of research results. As part of the standard three-year fellowship track,
one month in the first year and seven months in the third year are dedicated to research. The goals are to
identify a research interest, a specific hypothesis, and mentor early in the program. The fellow is expect-
ed to complete an organized project and present the results of that research as a manuscript in a peer-
reviewed journal by the end of fellowship.
12
LABORATORY EXPERIENCE
Noninvasive Laboratory
The noninvasive echocardiography rotation stresses a “hands-on,” interactive learning process.
The fellow has ample time to obtain practical experience and skill in performing and interpreting
echocardiograms and stress tests. As the skill of the fellow improves, he/she also becomes
involved in performing and interpreting transesophageal echocardiograms. The echocardiogra-
phy fellow is responsible for selection and presentation of interesting studies and a didactic
presentation on a pertinent topic at the weekly echocardiography conference.
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
The months spent in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab
at MetroHealth allow the fellow to become knowl-
edgeable in the many aspects of invasive cardiac
evaluation and decision-making, while focusing on
the basics of diagnostic cardiac hemodynamics and
imaging strategies. Fellows participate in all cardiac
catheterization cases of that month and have the
option to assist in interventional procedures.
Responsibilities include pre-procedural evaluation as
well as post-procedural care of patients referred for
diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The fellow, along
with an attending physician, reviews the hemody-
namic and angiographic data after each case and is
expected to dictate the catheterization report. The
fellow also prepares a weekly conference consisting
of a didactic lecture as well as presentation of inter-
esting cases.
13
Tuesday 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Heart & Vascular Center
Grand RoundsThis conference allows time for the entire department to assem-ble for presentations of current issues and new research in thefield of cardiovascular medicine. It is presented by a combinationof national speakers and local faculty.
The visiting professor program is a vital component of the learn-ing experience of the fellows. Nationally recognized academicleaders of the field spend a day interacting with attendings,reviewing interesting cases with the fellows and faculty, and giv-ing a didactic session. Approximately 20% of grand rounds arepart of the visiting professor program.
14
What conferences will I attend?
Monday 7:00 - 8:00 am
Core CurriculumThis is a didactic conference covering all of the major topics
in the field of cardiovascular medicine and is presented by a
faculty member of the Heart & Vascular Center.
Monday 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Chief/Program Director RoundsThese bimonthly meetings are for “fellows only” time withthe chief and program director. Topics include selecting aresearch project, finding a research mentor, reviewingunknown cases, and discussing future plans.
Journal ClubDuring journal club, current or classical research articles arepresented by one of the fellows. Time is available in eachsession for lively discussion between the faculty preceptor,fellows, and local experts in the chosen topic.
ECG ConferenceThis bimonthly conference presented by one of the Heart &Vascular faculty focuses on the review of basic topics in elec-trocardiogram interpretation and review of interesting electro-cardiograms.
Wednesday 7:00 - 8:00 am
Electrophysiology ConferenceThis interactive conference emphasizes the evaluation andmanagement of complex arrhythmia cases. It is an oppor-tunity for fellows to gain knowledge in the interpretation ofintracardiac electrograms. It is presented by an electrophys-iology fellow and precepted by a member of the electro-physiology faculty.
Research ConferenceThis multidisciplinary conference reviews new research inthe field of cardiovascular medicine. Graduate students, fel-lows, and faculty present their ideas and review theirresearch progress during these interactive sessions.
Thursday 7:00 - 8:00 am
Cardiac Catheterization ConferenceThis is a multidisciplinary conference that includes fellows,cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons. Coronaryangiograms and hemodynamic tracings are discussed. A por-tion of the time is set aside each week for the catheterizationfellow to review one of a series of topics pertaining to cardio-vascular physiology or coronary intervention.
Friday 7:00 - 8:00 am
Noninvasive ConferenceThis is an interactive conference designed to review inter-esting cases from the echocardiography laboratory with thenoninvasive attendings. The noninvasive fellow presentsthe conference, and a portion of time is set aside for the fel-low to review one of a series of topics.
15
With whom will I work?
16
Clinical year 1 Clinical year 2 Research year
ECHO 2 2 1
CATH 1 2 1
CONSULT 2 1 1
CCU 2 2 1
ARRHYTHMIA 1 1
CT/REHAB 1 1
HEART FAILURE/TRANSPLANT(CCF) 1
NUCLEAR CARDIOLGY(CCF) 1
PEDIATRICCARDIOLOGY(CCF) 1
RESEARCH 1 7
VACATION 1 1 1
How will my time be divided?REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD TRACK
Summary of Fellowship Time
• Sightseeing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
• Watching Broadway shows at the beautifully restored Playhouse Square
• Learning while having fun at the Great Lakes Science Center andOmnimax Movie Theatre
• Enjoying an evening with the Cleveland Ballet
• Shopping and dining downtown at Tower City Center, the Galleria,the “Warehouse District” and the “Flats”
• Cheering at professional sporting events including the Browns,Indians, Cavaliers, Rockers, and the Force
• Listening to concerts at Severence Hall (the home of the world renowned Cleveland Orchestra) or Blossom Music Center, Gund Arena, andthe Convocation Center
• Hiking and biking on the “tow path trail” or in the extensiveCleveland MetroParks - part of the “Emerald Necklace”
• Spending a day with the family at nearby Six Flags and Cedar Point Amusement Parks or Dover Lake Park
• Doing all of these activities in a safe place with a very reasonablecost of living
17
MetroHealth Medical Center is located 10 minutes from theheart of downtown Cleveland. While Cleveland is nationallyknown as a center for medical education and health care, fel-lows can expect to find almost everything they seek in cul-tural activities, entertainment, sports, and nightlife.
We have included a list of some of the attractions our fami-lies have enjoyed over the years:
What about Cleveland?
Top Related