Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship Program
Elevate your cardiology expertise! Our top-tier program offers hands-on training in invasive & non-invasive cardiology, plus research in clinical & molecular disciplines.
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The University of Louisville Division of Cardiovascular Medicine offers a strong clinically-oriented fellowship program with, on average, six (6) positions available each year.
The teaching utilizes clinical material at three core hospitals, the UofL Health - UofL Hospital, the Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and UofL Health - Jewish Hospital. In addition to availability and abundance of varied cardiac pathology, each of these hospitals has well-equipped cardiac catheterization and non-invasive laboratories.
The program is very strong in clinical cardiology and offers training and extensive experience in all areas of invasive and non-invasive cardiology. Research can be either in clinical areas or in basic disciplines (cardiac physiology or cellular/molecular biology). State-of-the-art research laboratories with faculty devoted to basic research are available for training in a wide variety of areas involving studies at the molecular, cellular, and whole-animal levels. Training is bolstered by a number of conferences.
There is a strong research emphasis and Fellows are expected to participate in research activities throughout their training. At the conclusion of their training, Fellows will be prepared to begin a successful academic or clinical career.
Selection Criteria
Applicants must be medical school graduates who have successfully completed three years of Internal Medicine training in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training program and are eligible for certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Foreign applicants that meet the above requirements are eligible to apply but required to hold current immigration documents which authorize the legal right to reside and be employed as fellows in the United States. Copies of DS-2019 and I-94 for J-1 Visas, a copy of a permanent resident card or Employment Authorization Card are acceptable.
Applicants must be eligible for medical licensure in Kentucky.
Applicants must submit their documentation (application, three letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae and personal statement) to Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) by the stipulated deadline for review by the Selection Committee.
All applicants enroll in the 3-year General Cardiovascular Fellowship Track however those fellows desiring more dedicated research time can be entered into the Research Track (2 clinical years + 1 research year). Enrolling in this research track is based upon fellow interest, faculty approval and availability of training slots.
Through the close association of our division with the Department of Physiology, research fellows might be able to obtain a Ph.D., although that requires 2-3 years of dedicated research time.
Applicants for a cardiology fellowship position at the University of Louisville are evaluated on the basis of eight (8) criteria included on an applicant evaluation form. The University of Louisville also is an equal opportunity organization.
Criteria include:
- Academic performance based on objective tests such as United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE) scores, rank in medical school.
- Letters of reference. The quality of these letters is weighted by the quality of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program.
- Research activities, objective evidence of publications, and quality of publications and participant of the applicant in the preparation of the manuscript.
- Interview: Interview, personality, motivation. Although these are subjective, scores obtained from the faculty interviewing each applicant are discussed at the Selection Committee Meeting.
The Selection Committee is composed of the full-time teaching faculty and current Chief Fellows. Applicants are given a score by each of the interviewing faculty according to the applicant evaluation form which includes academic performance, letters of reference, research activities and potential, interview personality, motivation, potential problems, strengths and weaknesses, future plans and the opportunity for additional comments.
Program Details
Program Graduates
| Hesham Afify | Private Practice, Lexington, KY |
| Apurv Agarwal | Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, UMKC |
| Bahjat Aladili | Private Practice, Chicago, IL |
| Manpreet Kaur | Advent Health Waterman, Tavares, FL |
| Rongras Damrongwatanasuk | Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Tufts University |
| Matthew Shotwell | Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, University of Louisville |
| Muhammad Umer | Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, University of Louisville |
| Priyanka Bhattacharya | Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| Ryan Bricknell | Nashville General Hospital, Nashville, TN |
| Kunal Jha | Baptist Health Floyd, New Albany, IN |
| Muhammad Khan | Advanced Cardiac Imaging Fellowship, Portland, OR |
| Ishan Parikh | Cardiology Faculty, University of Louisville |
| Stephen Pokrywa | UofL Health, Louisville, KY |
| Joshua Salebi | Baptist Health Hardin, Elizabethtown, KY |
| Agastya Belur | Clinical Fellow, Yale University |
| Arslan Naeem | Baptist Health Hardin, Elizabethtown KY |
| Utsab Panta | Baptist Health Hardin, Elizabethtown KY |
| Amit Rout | UofL Health, Louisville, KY |
| Sarabjeet Suri | UofL Health, Louisville, KY |
| Muhammad Zaman | Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, WI |
| Shengnan Zheng | CommonSpirit Health, Lexington, KY |
| Gang Cheng | Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY |
| Kamal Kassem | Corewell Health, Dearborn, MI |
| Christopher Reed | Bon Secours St. Francis, Greenville, SC |
| Munis Raza | Mercy, St. Louis, MO |
| Sayed Raza | Baptist Health Medical Group, New Albany, IN |
| Miteshkumar Solanki | Tennova Medical Group, Knoxville, TN |
Application and Interview Process
We accept applications through ERAS®. We also require a transcript and credentials from your medical school, USMLE or FLEX scores and three letters of reference. The deadline to apply to our program is August 31.
Completed applications are reviewed and selected applicants are invited for formal interviews via email.
Applicants must be medical school graduates who have successfully completed three years of Internal Medicine training in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training program and are eligible for certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Foreign applicants that meet the above requirements are eligible to apply but required to hold current immigration documents which authorize the legal right to reside and be employed as fellows in the United States. Copies of DS-2019 and I-94 for J-1 Visas, a copy of a permanent resident card or Employment Authorization Card are acceptable.
Applicants must be eligible for medical licensure in Kentucky.
Trainee Benefits
Life Insurance
Term life insurance is provided for all trainees, in the amount of $2000 of life insurance for each $1000 of annual stipend. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included.
Health Insurance
Single and family coverage is available at group rates. Several different plans at varying costs are available to choose from. Trainees may choose Premium Conversion, which permits payment of premiums with pre-tax dollars. Flexible Spending Accounts also available.
Workers Compensation
All trainees are covered by workers compensation for medical expenses and lost work time due to job-related illness or injury.
Disability Insurance
Long-term disability insurance is provided for trainees, free of charge. Trainees have the option of converting the coverage from group to individual at the end of their training and the option of purchasing additional coverage at very reduced rates.
Malpractice Insurance
Coverage is provided for all trainees by either the University of Louisville or by the hospitals to which trainees are assigned. This coverage applies to all assigned rotations that are part of fellowship training.
Dental Care and Coverage
The Faculty Practice Office in the Outpatient Care Center will provide annual examination, including cleaning and up to four bitewing x-rays, to trainees free of charge. Any additional services are the responsibility of the trainee. Trainees can call 852-5401 for information. Trainees may also purchase, at group rates, dental insurance in both single and family plans.
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Trainees may establish accounts to convert tax-free benefit dollars within the limits established by the IRS. Flexible spending accounts provide pre-tax dollars to be used toward medical, dental, vision, pharmacy and daycare expenses. The monies are reimbursed to the trainee for expenses incurred.
Employee Assistance Program
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to residents and fellows at no charge and provides confidential counseling, assessment and referral services. The program deals with the broad range of issues such as emotional/behavioral, family and marital, alcohol and/or drug, financial, legal and other personal problems. These services are provided by the Human Development Company.
Counseling Services
Professional counseling is available to trainees through the Health Sciences Center Campus Health Services. Counseling services are also available through the University of Louisville Employee Assistance Program.
Kentucky state law requires that all PGY-2 and above trainees be licensed to practice medicine in the state of Kentucky. The fee for the initial training license is paid by the Graduate Medical Education Office for the PGY-1's who continue as PGY-2's in UofL programs.
Hepatitis B immunization and an annual TB skin test are required and furnished free of charge to all trainees. The Campus Health Services Office provides minor urgent medical care and immunizations, including boosters and TB testing. Personal counseling is also available.
The Campus Health Services Office also serves as an on-site treatment facility for workers compensation related injuries and exposures including needle sticks and as the repository of trainee immunization records and exposure data. The office is staffed by board certified faculty physicians and faculty nurse practitioners who have extensive primary care and occupational exposure experience.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
All postgraduate physicians are entitled to 28 calendar days of vacation for each twelve-month period.
Medical and Personal Leave
Paid medical leave up to 90 days is available in cases of extended personal illness. Residents are covered under the Graduate Medical Student Leave Policy, which provides up to 12 weeks unpaid leave for personal or family illness.
Personal leave is available at the discretion of the Program Director.
Maternity/Paternity Leave
Trainees are allowed up to 42 days of paid post-partum leave.
Lab coats are provided by departments for residents at the beginning of their training.
Trainees have library privileges at the medical school library (Kornhauser Health Sciences Library) and at all affiliated hospitals. Available services include electronic literature searches and interlibrary loan service. Audiovisual equipment, as well as computers and computer software, are made available to residents through the library.
Through the Kornhauser Library’s website, trainees have access to thousands of electronic journals via Medline and online e-journal collections. Trainees can search the library’s catalog or view a collection of electronic textbooks and reference materials online.
Free membership to the HSC Fitness Center is available to all HSC residents, students, staff and faculty. The Fitness Center is conveniently located in the Chestnut Street Parking Garage and includes weight machines, free weights and 20 pieces of aerobic equipment. Aerobics and yoga classes are also offered. In addition, a swimming pool and recreational facilities on Belknap Campus are also available to residents, through the Intramural and Recreational Sports Office.
Lactation rooms are at various locations on the Health Sciences Campus.
The University of Louisville House Staff are eligible to participate in the 403(b) retirement plan by electing to contribute to the voluntary Employee Supplemental and Roth Additional options. The contributions in the Employee Supplemental and Roth Additional options are not matched by the University.
The Graduate Medical Education office greatly encourages residents to contribute to their community and improve the future of their profession through leadership and advocacy. In that spirit, the Graduate Medical Education Office is providing membership to the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) and the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) at no cost to GME contracted residents and fellows.
Parking
Parking permits are provided to trainees by either their program or the GME office at no cost to the resident.
Uber Transportation Program
An Uber based transportation service is provided free of charge to UofL residents/fellows. The purpose of this program is to ensure that all residents & fellows have a safe transportation option if they are too fatigued to return home safely.