Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
The Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship is a three-year ACGME-accredited program offering clinical and research training, with increasing responsibilities and flexibility in the second and third years.
Overview
The University of Louisville Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship is a three-year, ACGME-accredited program designed to provide extensive training in both clinical and research aspects of pediatric cardiology. The Fellowship offers a gradual increase in clinical responsibility, beginning with a clinical focus in the first year, followed by a more flexible second and third year that emphasizes academic training tailored to the Fellow’s career goals.
Fellows will gain hands-on experience under the mentorship of 20 pediatric cardiologists, 2 congenital cardiovascular surgeons and a dedicated cardiac staff. Clinical training will cover both congenital and acquired heart diseases at the Norton Children's Heart Institute, the largest heart center in Kentucky. Research opportunities are abundant, with access to multicenter collaborations and networks such as NPCQIC, PC4 and IMPACT. Fellows will be mentored by faculty involved in clinical research, education, advocacy and quality improvement.
The program aims to develop excellent clinical skills, critical appraisal of current literature and the ability to become clinical educators and leaders. It also focuses on understanding the role of social determinants of health in patient outcomes. Fellows have the option to pursue a Master’s degree or certificate to complement their clinical and research training, enhancing their academic depth in a field of interest.
Fellows engage in various learning activities, including weekly, monthly and quarterly conferences that address core knowledge areas. Weekly conferences include Surgical Conference (Heart Board), CICU Case Conference, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Curriculum, Pediatric Cardiology Specialty Workshops, Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds and Fetal Board. Monthly conferences feature Journal Club, EP Multidisciplinary Discussion, Pediatric Innovation and Research Advisory Team, CV Surgery Teaching and ACHD Patient Conference. Quarterly conferences focus on Morbidity and Mortality, Combined Fellows Conference, Echo Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Curriculum, Wellness and Research Methods, in collaboration with other UofL Fellows.
By the numbers, the program handles approximately 300 total surgical cases annually, 160 cardiopulmonary bypass cases, 190 index operations, 7 orthotopic heart transplants, 400 cardiac catheterizations, 90 electrophysiology cases, 16,500 outpatient visits, 11,600 echocardiograms, 150 transesophageal echocardiograms and 575 fetal echocardiograms per year.
Key Contacts
Camry Woodward
Fellowship Program Coordinator
(502) 852-7997
Joshua D. Kurtz, MD
Fellowship Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Soham Dasgupta, MD
Associate Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Program Details
Application and Interview Process
The following information outlines the process for medical students applying for pediatric Fellowships, beginning July 1, 2025.
Applicants must have their files completed for screening prior to receiving an invitation to interview. Applications must be submitted using ERAS.
1
ERAS application
A completed ERAS application contains the following documents:
- Current CV
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- At least one letter of recommendation must come from your residency training program.
- Headshot
- Medical School Transcript
- Medical School Dean's letter
- USMLE transcript
- ECFMG status report
- The ECFMG Status Report is issued for International Medical Graduates only. If you are an International student, please include any additional necessary documents that support your Visa status.
Stipends & Benefits
The stipend rates for each PGY level are as follows:
- PGY 1: $61,867.64 annually / $5,155.64 monthly
- PGY 2: $64,179.69 annually / $5,348.31 monthly
- PGY 3: $66,251.94 annually / $5,521.00 monthly
- PGY 4: $69,244.93 annually / $5,770.41 monthly
- PGY 5: $72,601.03 annually / $6,050.09 monthly
- PGY 6: $75,877.94 annually / $6,323.16 monthly
- PGY 7: $79,034.94 annually / $6,586.25 monthly
- PGY 8: $83,236.00 annually / $6,936.33 monthly
Stipends reflect a 4% increase across all PGY levels. Moonlighting shifts are available for additional compensation at various clinical sites.
Basic Life Insurance
Eligible employees can enroll in Basic Life Insurance at twice their base annual salary (adjusted up to the nearest $1,000, maximum $200,000) at no cost.
Additional Term Life Insurance
Additional Term Life Insurance is a supplement to Basic Life Insurance for employees who would like to purchase for their self, spouse and/or child(ren). If you purchase Additional Term Life Insurance for yourself, you may also purchase Additional Term Life Insurance for your spouse and dependent child(ren).
Self: May purchase coverage from $20,000 to $500,000.
Spouse: Benefit options are available up to $150,000, with the minimum benefit amount as $10,000 and the maximum benefit amount as the lesser of 50% of the employee Supplemental Life Benefit or $150,000. No person may be insured as a Dependent of more than one employee.
Child(ren): May purchase coverage at $10,000 for children through the end of the year in which they turn 26.
The University of Louisville offers five medical plans through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem).
The plan options are:
EPO: The EPO plan provides coverage to you through an exclusive network of Anthem providers, except when there is a health or life-threatening emergency.
PPO: The PPO plan provides higher coverage to you if you see in-network providers, but also provides a lower level of coverage when you see out-of-network providers. The plan will begin to pay benefits once your annual deductible is met. When you need care, you pay a copay for services like doctor’s office visits or coinsurance for services like inpatient hospital stays.
UofL Health Plan (ULH): The ULH plan provides coverage to you through an exclusive network of University of Louisville health care providers. It offers three tiers of coverage:
- Tier 1 – UofL Health providers; lowest out-of-pocket costs.
- Tier 2 – Anthem in-network providers; higher out-of-pocket costs
- Tier 3 – Out-of-network; coverage for emergency services only
PCA Low & High – With Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): The PCA High and PCA Low plans are consumer-directed plans that provide more control over your spending.
The EPO, PPO and ULH plans are considered traditional health care plans. They include network coverage when you see providers in the Anthem network. In some cases, an annual deductible must be met before you receive coverage for care. All plans come with an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you would ever have to pay during the year for covered services.
Note: Employees on J1 Visas are only eligible for EPO, PPO or ULH plans. For more information, contact the International Affairs office.
MetLife is UofL’s dental provider. There are two options for dental insurance, the basic plan and the enhanced plan, which includes adult orthodontia.
Vision insurance is provided by Davis Vision. Davis Vision has a national network of credentialed preferred providers. With Davis Vision, you have access to great in-network benefits at provider locations nationwide, including over 700 Visionworks stores, which offer the largest in-store frame assortment in the industry.
Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation for all Fellows
Family Medical Leave (includes maternity)
Retirement
Fellows are considered "eligible employees" and may contribute monies to any of UofL's retirement plans.
Worker's Compensation
All house staff are covered under the Kentucky Worker's Compensation statutes for injuries incurred while engaged in regularly assigned duties.
Professional Liability Insurance (Malpractice)
Professional liability insurance is provided by the University of Louisville or by affiliated hospitals through contract agreement.
Preventive Health Program
Hepatitis B immunization, an annual TB skin test and flu shots are required and furnished free of charge to all fellows. Additionally, COVID-19 testing and monitoring is also provided free of charge.
- Free parking in the attached, covered Norton Children's Hospital garage.
- On-call meals are provided at both Norton Children's Hospital and UofL Hospital
- Lab Coats are provided
- Additional expenses covered (some restrictions apply):
- Medical licenses
- Specialty memberships
- Scientific meeting registration and travel for first authors
- PALS/NRP training
- Academic allowances (journal subscriptions, books, conferences, etc.)
Fellows are eligible to purchase discount student athletic tickets through the UofL Athletics Department.
Our Department covers the cost of various Master's and Certificate programs, including:
Master's in Health Professions Education & Certificate
Gain skills for academic success, advance education research, improve healthcare teaching and explore teaching methods in healthcare. A Master's in Health Professions Education can set you apart in academic or leadership roles.
Master's & Certificate in Clinical Investigation Sciences
Develop clinical research expertise, master biostatistics and epidemiology and participate in clinical trials. Includes both online and in-person courses.
Master's in Health Care Ethics
Learn to navigate ethical dilemmas in clinical practice, contribute to ethics committees and teach medical ethics while engaging with future healthcare professionals.
Master's in Public Health & Certificate
Focus on evidence-based public health strategies, healthcare systems, cultural awareness in public policy and collaborative patient care within interprofessional teams.
Whether you are considering the University of Louisville Department of Pediatrics for subspecialty training, currently serving as a fellow or faculty member in our program, or simply stopping by, we are excited to showcase our programs, our facilities and our city – but most important, our Fellows. We are here to answer your questions.
Erin B. Owen, MD
Director of Pediatric Fellowships
Associate Director: Residency Program
Associate Professor: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine