January 18, 2017 | Bharath Rajagopalan, MD
Career Development

Each month, the Fellows in Training (FIT) Section newsletter, ACC On-Call, will highlight the achievements of one cardiology FIT. The Section would like to recognize Bharath Rajagopalan, MD, a cardiology fellow at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY, and a member of the FIT Section Leadership Council, as the 'star FIT' for the month of January. He describes his research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

What are your plans after cardiology fellowship?
I will start my clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at Tufts University in July 2017. After my fellowship, I plan to pursue a career in academic electrophysiology.

What are your research interests?
I am interested in clinical trials involving rhythm control options for management of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and understanding the contributing factors for symptoms in AFib.

What are your hobbies outside of cardiology?
Traveling, star gazing and gadgets.

How do you approach work-life balance?
Work-life balance is my priority. I am fortunate to have a supportive wife. We love going on road trips to different places and enjoy taking our 6-month old son on our trips.

Do you have any mentors that you would like to recognize?
I am fortunate to have had great mentors over the years. I would like to recognize my mentors Anne Curtis, MD, FACC; John Canty Jr., MD, FACC; Brian Page, MD, FACC, and other faculty at University at Buffalo. I am thankful for all the mentorship that I have received over the years.

How did you become involved with the ACC?
I was inspired by ACC's commitment to cardiovascular medicine practice and training. I wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization. With motivation from my faculty, I had applied for the FIT Section Leadership Council and was one of the four cardiovascular FITs selected in 2015.

What are you involved in with the ACC?
I am currently the co-chair for Education Working Group of the FIT Council. As part of the Education Working Group, I coordinate and plan the FIT and Early Career Council webinar series. I am also involved in planning and organizing FIT specific activities at ACC's Annual Scientific Session and Expo (ACC.17). In the past, I helped set up the ACC Structural Heart Disease Fellowship Database. I was also selected for the inaugural ACC Teaching Tomorrow's Teachers program for clinician educators.

What advice do you have for other FIT members?
The ACC offers numerous opportunities for FITs to participate and volunteer in councils and committees. Apart from these opportunities, we at the FIT council, are always looking for volunteers to help with various activities. It is an exciting time to be part of the College's mission to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health.