• FIT section image
  • FIT section image
  • FIT section image

FITs, Welcome to your home at the ACC!

Fellow colleagues, residents, and students,

We hope that the ACC FIT section and leadership council can provide the resources and support you need as you progress through your training career.

Prashanth D. Thakker, MD

At ACC.org/FIT you will find well curated resources for your academic and professional development and tips to get involved with the ACC. The leadership council is here to provide educational and networking opportunities, as well as a platform for you to get involved in all things ACC.

Please feel free to reach out to us at fellowsintraining@acc.org to share your interests, ideas, and feedback!

Prashanth D. Thakker, MD
Chair, American College of Cardiology Fellows-in-Training Section

Editor-in-Chief, FIT Section

Anudeep Dodeja
The Ohio State University & Nationwide Children's Hospital
@anudodejamd

Anudeep Dodeja

Explore ACC's Clinical Topic Collections

ACC.org's Clinical Topic Collections organizes the College's latest content on the subjects most important to you — all in one place.

Continuing (or Completing) Your Training? Let's Stay in Touch!

Don't miss out on the news, events and benefits you need to lay the foundation for a successful career.

Advance to FACC

It's easy to advance to FACC—and those within 3 years of their training can apply for free.

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Enjoy unlimited access to a library of short, CME-certified conversations in cardiology with ACCEL. Take advantage of this unique member benefit today!

Connect With Your Peers on Member Hub!

Ask questions, get feedback and collaborate with colleagues in your private FIT Section group.

Latest Section News

Janet Ma, MD

How FITs Can Advance Health Equity

December 8, 2021   |   Janet Ma, MD

Feature Article

The year 2020 brought a heightened sense of urgency to addressing longstanding health disparities, including those pertaining to cardiovascular disease.

The Difficult Road to Motherhood

December 8, 2021   |   Agnes Koczo, MD

Feature Article

Several months ago, I suffered a miscarriage during my first pregnancy. The experience was emotionally taxing; I experienced sadness like never before.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Career Section: Weaving Antiracism Practice and Equity Into CV Training

December 2, 2021

JACC Family of Journals

In a Fellows in Training and Early Career Section article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Lauren A. Eberly, MD, MPH; Howard Julien, MD, MPH, FACC; and Srinath Adusumalli, MD, MSc, FACC, propose a new training paradigm that integrates antiracism practice throughout the cardiology fellowship training sections, including didactic curriculum, clinical training, research and workshops.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

November 16, 2021   |   Shire Beach, MD

Feature Article

Perched over the procedure table, dressed in sterile blues, and battling an internal firestorm of anxiety-fueled GERD, I fumbled my way through double flushing a manifold.

Tripti Gupta, MD

Teach a Girl to Promote Health and Wellness

October 20, 2021   |   Tripti Gupta, MD

Feature Article

Louisiana consistently ranks in the lower quartile for overall health care in the nation, and as a future cardiologist, these statistics alarm me. Whether addressing health literacy, medication adherence, or encouraging lifestyle modification through diet and exercise, something needed to change.

Vybhav Jetty, MD

Why You Should Start the Journey Towards Financial Independence

October 20, 2021   |   Vybhav Jetty, MD

Feature Article

Watching a young YouTube millionaire talk about money as I decompress after another 12-hour workday with a debt burden of 6 figures is frustrating. Like many of my co-fellows, I've been in training for almost a decade, and I'm still nowhere close to having my debts paid.

JACC: Case Reports

Call For Papers: JACC: Case Reports Complications Issue

September 20, 2021

JACC Family of Journals

JACC: Case Reports is inviting submissions of cases representing interventional, surgical, structural, electrophysiological and transcatheter procedural complications for a special themed issue planned for 2022.

JACC: Case Reports

JACC: Case Reports Now Accepting Reviewer Mentee Applications

September 20, 2021

Call For Applications

JACC: Case Reports is accepting applicants for a second year of the popular reviewer mentoring program geared toward FIT and early career members interested in becoming reviewers and learning more about peer reviewed publishing.

Hyeon-Ju (HJ) Ali, MD

Financial Toxicity in Cardiovascular Care: A Case Study

September 20, 2021   |   Hyeon-Ju Ali, MD

Feature Article

Financial toxicity is a term first coined by the field of oncology to describe the negative consequences of out-of-pocket costs for medical care on quality of life, access to care, and the ability to pay for basic life necessities, such as housing and subsistence.

Award, Trophy; Conceptual Image

Will You Be the Next Distinguished Young Scientist?

July 27, 2021

Announcements

The Douglas P. Zipes Distinguished Young Scientist Award is awarded to one young physician-scientist per year who is making outstanding contributions to the field of cardiovascular disease.

Zoom Meeting; Conceptual Image

Webinar: Multimodality CV Imaging Training: Challenges and Opportunities

July 27, 2021

Featured Webinar

Join the Imaging Section for a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. ET, that will address the unique opportunities and challenges that exist for trainees and young professionals in pursuing training and employment in multimodality cardiovascular imaging.

Webinar; Conceptual Image

Webinar: Highlights From ISHLT 2021

July 19, 2021

Featured Webinar

Join the ACC Fellows in Training and Heart Failure and Transplant Sections for a webinar on Tuesday, July 27, at 7 p.m. ET.

Mentor Mentee; Conceptual Image

Call For Volunteers: FIT Mock Interview Program

July 19, 2021

Career Development

Last year, we initiated a "FIT Mock Interview" program in which fellows of all levels conducted virtual mock interviews for applicants to general cardiology fellowship in order to help them navigate a fully virtual interview season.

Webinar; Conceptual Image

Webinar: Alternative Careers in Cardiology

July 13, 2021

Featured Webinar

Tune in on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. ET, for a Federal Section webinar that will provide an overview of the different career opportunities in the Federal Sector above and beyond the Veterans Health Association.

JACC

FIT/EC JACC Section: Becoming an Early Career Inventor

July 7, 2021

JACC Family of Journals

"An important advantage that early career innovators have is the ability to challenge the conventional wisdom held by experienced clinicians and generate disruptive and potentially revolutionary ideas," write Ahmed M.A. Selim, MD, and Chirag R. Barbhaiya, MD, in the latest issue of JACC.

Hyeon-Ju Ali, MD

Anti-Racism: Best Practices For Systems, Departments and Individuals

June 23, 2021   |   Hyeon-Ju Ali, MD

Feature Article

During ACC.21, Nosheen Reza, MD, FACC, and Toniya Singh, MBBS, FACC, co-hosted a session titled, "Cultivating an Anti-Racist Culture in Cardiovascular Medicine." This session featured fantastic speakers who raised important questions and featured best practices for promoting an anti-racist culture in cardiology.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The Pandemic, Cardiology Training and Data Science

June 23, 2021   |   Romit Bhattacharya, MD

COVID-19 Coverage

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., cardiology fellows in training (FITs) nationally faced competing pressures to continue their clinical training; "get their numbers" for COCATS certification; use their unique skills in procedural, diagnostic and critical care to help care for COVID-19 patients; and hone their skills as clinician investigators.

Sarah Chuzi, MD

Advice For New WIC Mothers: What I Wish I Knew

June 23, 2021   |   Sarah Chuzi, MD

Feature Article

As I’m approaching the end of my general cardiology fellowship, I’m reflecting on all that I have learned: how to cath, how to read an echo, how to manage refractory shock. And in the midst of all of that, I became a new mom, and learned an entirely different skillset: how to swaddle, how to burp, how to soothe.

Zoom Meeting; Conceptual Image

FIT Perspective On ACC’s CV Overview and Board Prep

June 21, 2021

Featured Meetings and Conferences

Are you preparing for initial board certification and looking for an in-depth review of cardiovascular medicine? Last year, Ryan Mallory, MD, an interventional cardiology fellow at Indiana University Krannert Institute of Cardiology, was in the same position and participated in ACC's Cardiovascular Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience course.

Zoom Meeting; Conceptual Image

ACC’s CV Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience Provides In-Depth Review of CV Medicine

June 8, 2021

Upcoming Event

Are you preparing for initial board certification and looking for an in-depth review of cardiovascular medicine? ACC's Cardiovascular Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience course, taking place July 6 – Oct. 31, will guide you through the content categories covered in the ABIM Cardiovascular Disease Certification Exams and provide you with a comprehensive overview of cardiology.

Layne Anderson

One Heartbeat, One Humanity

May 25, 2021

Feature Article

"What a small world!" These words, often spoken, no longer ring true for me. My experience has been that we live in a big, complicated and utterly beautiful world filled with endless landscapes, wild creatures and diverse peoples. It is the experiences we have and the people we meet within the context of this world that can broaden our perspectives and, at times, change the trajectory of our life.

Vybhav Jetty, MD

The One Book That Changed How I Think About Money

May 19, 2021   |   Vybhav Jetty, MD

Book Review

As a physician, I often feel that talking about money is taboo. Unfortunately, I'm more practical than I am an idealist, and I believe that medicine, like anything else, is a business at the very core. A hospital that cannot fund its costs will not be able to care for patients for long. At some point, vaccines, medicines, imaging and testing need funding.

Weijia Wang, MD

Keeping a Patient Log: Reflections on Graduate Medical Training in Cardiology

May 19, 2021   |   Weijia Wang, MD ;  Naomi F. Botkin, MD, FACC

Feature Article

When I was a resident, I approached an attending about participating in a research project. His encrypted Excel spreadsheet, approved by the institutional review board, contained every patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy he had met for over twenty years. Inspired by this experience, I created my own spreadsheet at the beginning of the cardiology fellowship.

Amar Parikh, MD

Conversations With Cardiologists: Lisa Rosenbaum, MD

May 19, 2021   |   Amar Parikh, MD

Feature Interview

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insights on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs). In this interview, Lisa Rosenbaum, MD, national correspondent for the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and cardiologist at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, MA, shares her advice with ACC FITs.

Ersilia M. DeFilippis, MD

My Raft of Women (and Men)

May 19, 2021   |   Ersilia M. DeFilippis, MD

Feature Article

On February 3, 2021, Nasrien Ibrahim, MD, FACC, composed a tweet that echoed around the Twitterverse: "Gentleman, it’s 2021 and there are [so] many women in heart failure for this entire conference to be all men. Do better..." She was referring to the faculty line-up that was released in anticipation of an upcoming heart failure conference; more than 20 faculty members were listed, all male and predominantly of Caucasian ethnicity.

ACC.21

FIT Mix ‘n’ Mingle at ACC.21

May 11, 2021

Virtual Meeting

Join us at ACC.21 Virtual on Saturday, May 15 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET for a networking session designed to connect you with cardiology legends and ACC leadership!

Zoom Meeting; Conceptual Image

Registration Open For ACC’s CV Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience

May 4, 2021

Upcoming Event

Are you preparing for initial board certification and looking for an in-depth review of cardiovascular medicine? ACC’s Cardiovascular Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience course, taking place July 5 – Oct. 31, will guide you through the content categories covered in the ABIM Cardiovascular Disease Certification Exams and provide you with a comprehensive overview of cardiology.

JACC

JACC FIT/EC Section: The Exit Interview

May 4, 2021

JACC Family of Journals

"We are taught in medicine to connect with our patients by learning about the social history beyond their medical history. The better we know our patients, the better we are able to treat them,” writes Michael J. Zhang, MD, PhD, in an article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Issa Kutkut, MD

Beyond the Standard Metrics in Fellowship Applications

April 21, 2021   |   Issa Kutkut, MD

Feature Article

The road to becoming a cardiologist is long: pre-medicine, medical school, residency, fellowship and then perhaps an advanced fellowship or two. At each stage, we feel a sense of confidence in our skills, just to return to square one again with each new advancement. We have to cross checkpoints at each level – checkpoints that are not just clinical and academic, but also emotional and financial.

Tripti Gupta, MD

How to Get Involved With Your State Chapter

April 21, 2021   |   Tripti Gupta, MD

Feature Article

Now that half the academic year is over and you may have figured out work-life-sleep balance, the next thing on your checklist is to learn more about how you can get involved with other cardiology endeavors, right? Consider joining your local ACC chapter!

Baljash Cheema, MD

How to Find Your Home Within Cardiology

April 21, 2021   |   Baljash Cheema, MD

Feature Article

At the beginning of my cardiology training, I was taken aback by the variety between and within cardiology subspecialties. Each rotation was so different than the one before. I was certain I would eventually subspecialize as I wanted to be a content expert in one particular field, but the path wasn’t always so clear. It took me the better part of a year to realize advanced heart failure was the best fit for me, and I was then left trying to figure out how to get involved and network within the field.

Nicholas Tan, MD, MS

What’s in a Name? Personifying Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

April 21, 2021   |   Nicholas Tan, MD

Feature Article

As an aspiring electrophysiologist, I have an unapologetic interest in pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). These nifty devices sit deep within the body where they are carefully fixated onto the heart’s surface. Through this physical connection, they quietly sense and appreciate the unique electrical metronomes of their hosts, filling in the blanks when there are lapses in activity or taking decisive action when a meltdown occurs.

Pranoti Hiremath, MD

How Medical Podcasts Can Amplify Your Career

April 21, 2021   |   Pranoti G Hiremath, MD

Feature Article

How can medical podcasts influence our careers? To understand the ways in which physicians can leverage and influence the medical podcast space, I spoke with four phenomenal podcast creators: Ankur Kalra, MBBS, FACC, of Parallax, Moyez Jiwa, MD, of The Health Design Podcast, Amit Goyal, MD, and Dan Ambinder, MD, of CardioNerds, and Rabih Geha, MD, and Reza Manesh, MD, of CP Solvers.

NCDR

Last Call: NCDR Research Proposals Due April 9

April 6, 2021

Announcements

Don’t miss the April 9 deadline to submit an NCDR research proposal in 2021! Last year, NCDR changed its Research & Publications (R&P) cycle to offer one research proposal deadline annually, with one annual review meeting for all NCDR programs except the STS/ACC TVT Registry.

ACC.21

2021 FIT Jeopardy: Preliminary Rounds

April 6, 2021

Upcoming Event

One of the year’s most hotly anticipated events starts this week! Join us on Zoom starting on April 5 for the preliminary rounds of ACC’s famous FIT Jeopardy competition.

JACC: Case Reports

VHD Guideline CME/MOC Activities Now Available

March 29, 2021

Announcements

In case you missed it, the ACC and the American Heart Association released a new Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) with concise, evidence-based recommendations to optimize care and management of patients with VHD.

Njambi Mathenge, MD, MPH

A Fellow’s Journey Into Global Cardiology

March 17, 2021

Feature Article

As a Fellow in Training (FIT) pursuing a career as a global cardiologist, I am acutely aware of the unique perspectives that FITs can provide in the conversation on global cardiovascular health and disease management.

Sarah Chuzi, MD

Bearing Witness

March 17, 2021

Feature Article

I stood outside of John’s hospital room and took a deep breath. Our interactions during my morning pre-rounds were strained. I think he knew how badly I felt for him.

David Leone, MD

10 Technologies That Will Change the Way You Practice During Your Career: Part 1

March 17, 2021

Feature Article

The stethoscope is a medical technology that is revered and still in use, despite being developed in the early 1800s. Since that time there have been many advancements and iterative improvements with a more rapid expansion in medical technologies over the past century. This progression shows no sign of slowing down, and some think it is increasing exponentially as current developments compound with past inventions and knowledge.

Kaitlyn Ibrahim, MD

Building a Resume in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety During Fellowship

March 17, 2021

Feature Article

Cardiovascular care is rapidly evolving. As Fellows in Training (FIT), we are exposed to cutting-edge technology and advances in care on a daily basis. At the same time, we are also expected to learn the tools to deliver high-quality, safe and cost-effective care. This is where quality improvement (QI) comes into play.

Kassra Poosti, MD

Student Loan Repayment in the Era of COVID-19

March 17, 2021

Feature Article

I’ll go double or nothing on my student loan balance that I wouldn’t be the first person to tell you that COVID has changed our lives. It’s ubiquitous, from our training and trying to organize everyone for didactics, triaging and performing procedures, seeing patients in clinic to dealing with the milestones in our personal lives. One silver lining for many of us, though, is that student loan repayment may be just a bit more manageable.

EKG

JACC: Case Reports ECG Teaching Competition

March 16, 2021

Announcements

JACC: Case Reports is inviting all ECG lovers with a passion for ECG teaching to submit one example of interesting/complex ECGs with relative multiple-choice questions and explanations for this competition by April 15.

COVID-19 Face Shield, Mask; Conceptual Image

JACC FIT/EC Section: Call For Papers on Equity

March 16, 2021

Announcements

This year has highlighted and exacerbated the ways in which disparities influence not only the field of medicine but also the world in which we live. While everyone experienced unprecedented challenges, those who are less privileged based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status were particularly affected.

ACC.21

ACC.21 FIT Jeopardy State Chapter Finalists Announced

March 16, 2021

Virtual Meeting

The ACC is excited to announce the final state teams that will face off in the sixth annual FIT Jeopardy: Battle of the Chapters competition during ACC.21 Virtual, held May 15 – 17.

Zoom Meeting; Conceptual Image

Brush Up on the Basics of Precision Medicine

March 9, 2021

Virtual Meeting

The era of precision medicine in cardiovascular disease is here. With the advent of high throughput technologies, big data analytics and the expansion of digital health tools, the concept of personalizing therapies to maximize benefits and minimize risk for patients is within reach. However, most health care providers have had little to no exposure to the data, platforms, methods and clinical applications that form the foundation of precision medicine.

Cardiology Magazine February 2021

Trending in Cardiology Education: Medical Podcasts

March 9, 2021

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

At the start of training, many of us had reading lists as we began our academic year or rotation. An early task was ensuring access to the highest quality resources.

Cardiology Magazine February 2021

Atrial Fibrillation Mapping: New Perspectives?

March 9, 2021

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Until recently, arrhythmia mapping technologies have primarily focused on elucidating the electrical properties of atrial fibrillation (AFib), namely, the voltage amplitude of underlying cardiac substrate and the propagation pattern of the arrhythmia wavefront.

AI in Cardiology: Science vs. Science Fiction

February 16, 2021

Feature Article

In a subplot of the 1968 classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, an astronaut (Dave) narrowly escapes death when his autopiloting system (Hal) attempts to rout deactivation.

Cardiology Training Around the Globe

February 16, 2021

Feature Article

There are different pathways to becoming a certified cardiologist globally. Every country has a unique system of preparing medical school graduates for independent practice.

Creative Careers in Cardiology

February 16, 2021

Feature Article

"What do you want to be when you're all grown up?" I have asked myself this question repeatedly since middle school.

Foolproof FIT Finance #2: Savings Accounts Are Not Enough

February 16, 2021

Feature Article

In the last installment of "Foolproof FIT Finance," we covered how to make it as easy as possible to save money. Now, we need to talk about what to do with that extra money once you have saved up to three to six months' worth of expenses.

Primary Palliative Care Education

FIT/Early Career Section Page: Primary Palliative Care Education in Advanced HF and Transplantation Cardiology Fellowships

February 1, 2021

Feature Article

The ability to provide patient-centered, supportive care from the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) to the end of life is essential, and the current palliative care training paradigm for advanced HF and transplant cardiology Fellows in Training (FITs) must be enhanced to achieve this goal, according to an FIT and Early Career Page published Jan. 25 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Baljash “Josh” Cheema, MD, MSCI

Conversations With Cardiologists: Robert O. Bonow, MD, MACC, on Finding Success in Academic Medicine

January 19, 2021

Feature Article

In March 2020, it was clear that COVID-19 was here to stay and would impact every aspect of our lives. Faculty members Matthew J. Feinstein, MD, FACC, and Kannan Mutharasan, MD, came up with a simple idea to keep the cardiology department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital connected in an otherwise isolating moment in the world: they invited around 400 faculty members and fellows to a Zoom meeting named Coffee Talk.

Suvasini Lakshmanan, MD

2021: A Path to Discover Our Ikigai

January 19, 2021

Feature Article

As we transition from a year of the pandemic that has deeply tested our resilience as front line workers, into a new year filled with promise and hope, I wish to reflect on this path as a foundation for ‘Ikigai’ – a Japanese term meaning “a reason for being.”

Katia Bravo-Jaimes, MD

Finding Some Good Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: An FIT Perspective

January 19, 2021

Feature Article

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all – directly or indirectly. Some of us have experienced the loss of a patient, family member or friend affected by this disease. Many others have had to face new challenges such as juggling remote working conditions while homeschooling, filing unemployment, or experiencing physical and mental distress.

Zaid Almarzooq, MBBCh

Highlights From the TCT 2020 Virtual Conference

January 19, 2021

Featured Meetings and Conferences

Like many conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Virtual Conference was like no other. The virtual format has resulted in a larger audience and provided more flexibility, especially for the busy Fellows in Training. In this piece, I wanted to share some of the highlights from the TCT Virtual Conference.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Left-Handed Cardiology Trainees

January 12, 2021

JACC Family of Journals

Minor modifications in workflow may go a long way in keeping young left-handed trainees on course to realize their potential in this procedural specialty, according to a Fellows in Training (FIT) and Early Career Page published Jan. 4 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Investment Planning; Conceptual Image

Foolproof FIT Finance

December 15, 2020

If you are like the average trainee, you have a lot of debt. The latest numbers show that the average medical school debt is $201,490-$232,300 (1,2), and total student loan debt has doubled since around 1999 (3). Most finance books encourage readers to get out of debt as soon as possible; while this is typically good advice, future cardiologists have a unique situation.

Women in Cardiology

Shattering the Glass

December 15, 2020

The earliest mention of the impermeable glass ceiling, or something akin to it, was in 1839. The French feminist George Sand wrote about the "une voûte de cristal impenetrable" or an impenetrable crystal vault. The specific term "glass ceiling" was first used in 1978 to describe patterns of discriminatory promotion.

Globe Image

What Cardiologists Can Bring to Global Health

December 15, 2020

As the global burden of cardiovascular disease continues to increase on the international stage, what role does a cardiologist have in global cardiovascular health?

Apple Watch Series 6 Just Released: What Does That Mean For Medicine?

December 15, 2020

The first smartwatch released by Apple Inc. was back in 2015. Since then, Apple has had multiple iterations on this now iconic piece of technology. The Apple Watch Series 6 is the company’s newest edition in this line of devices, which released on Sept. 18.

Cardio-Oncology Treatment; Conceptual Image

Reflections on Cardio-Oncology

December 15, 2020

When I opened the exam room door, I found Sarah fidgeting nervously, hands clasped together so tightly her knuckles were blanched a ghostly white. Her fear was unmistakable even from behind her surgical mask.

Academic Cardiology; Conceptual Image

The Other Side of the Stethoscope

December 15, 2020

After spending two weeks as a general cardiology fellow on a busy heart failure rotation, sleeping well was not a priority. Getting to know all my patients, analyzing left-ventricular assist device settings and dosing tacrolimus post-transplantation became my daily routine. I had a sore neck every morning, which I attributed to poor sleeping posture and did not make much of it.

Cardiology Magazine

Does the Heart Love Space?

December 9, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Is space travel bad for the heart? What happens to hemodynamics in microgravity? Does living in outer space age the heart prematurely? How much time in space is too much time? And how deep in space is too deep?

JACC: CardioOncology

JACC: CardioOncology Call For Papers: Amyloidosis

December 9, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

Responding to the need for expanded knowledge on emerging trends, novel treatment approaches and outcomes for patients with AL and ATTR amyloidosis, JACC: CardioOncology will publish a special focus issue on this topic in 2021.

ACC LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

“Tele-Advocacy:” Highlights From the 2020 Virtual ACC Legislative Conference

December 7, 2020

Feature Article

Every Fall, members of the ACC typically gather in Washington, DC, to advocate for patients with cardiovascular disease and meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s ACC Legislative Conference looked a little different, with "tele-advocacy" taking center stage.

Conceptual Image

New ACC/AHA Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Guideline Encourages Shared Decision-Making

November 25, 2020

Announcements

The new 2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, offers recommendations on the evaluation and management of patients with HCM, encourages shared decision-making between the clinician and patient when determining treatment course, and updates recommendations for sudden cardiac death risk assessment and HCM center referrals based on the latest evidence.

JACC: CardioOncology

Just Published: New Bonus Issue of JACC: Cardiology

November 23, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

The newest issue of JACC: CardioOncology recently published, which is available entirely online for free via ppen access and features new summary podcasts recorded by Journal associate editors.

Watch Dr. Valentin Fuster and Experts Discuss Top Trials From AHA 2020

November 23, 2020

Feature Video

In the latest installment of the long-standing expert round-table discussion, ACC Cardiology Hour, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, leads expert panelists in discussion on top late-breaking clinical trials released during the AHA Scientific Sessions 2020.

ACC FIT Section Members: Shape Your Future

November 23, 2020

Announcements

ACC’s Campaign for the Future is your chance to shape the future of the cardiology profession, and your support matters now more than ever before.

A Road Less Traveled – My Reflections

November 18, 2020

Feature Article

As a Woman in Cardiology (WIC) editorial fellow for the ACC Fellow in Training (FIT) editorial board, I feel a tremendous sense of gratitude and responsibility to be a voice of insight and conviction for the FIT community.

Introducing the New JACC.org

October 30, 2020

Announcements

The ACC is excited to introduce the newly redesigned online home for JACC Journals.

Cardiology Magazine October 2020

The Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Life (Vest) of Controversy

October 22, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Like all therapies, the wearable cardioverter defibrillator is most effective when used as prescribed, but this requires continuous adherence for up to 90 days and constant attention towards the various device alarms that may become activated at any given moment.

Remote Voting; Conceptual Image

How Do Patients Vote?

October 21, 2020

Feature Article

With the election day less than a month away, many American citizens are deciding how, when and where they will vote. Early voting and voting by mail are processes meant to permit more citizens to take part in this important right and privilege.

Pregnancy; Conceptual Image

Our Common Bond

October 21, 2020

Feature Article

"I'm pregnant!" The young patient sitting before me beamed with excitement. It was my first time meeting Anna, and I was rushed when I prepared for her clinic appointment, scrolling through her many notes to learn her story.

Monica Parks, MD

Preparing For Cardiology Fellowship

October 21, 2020

Feature Article

Transitioning from residency to fellowship is both an exciting and terrifying time for everyone. In the weeks before moving to a new state and starting my fellowship, I often wondered how I was supposed to prepare for the transition.

Virtual Interview; Conceptual Image

Tips and Tricks For Fellowship Interviews

October 21, 2020

Feature Article

The months of September to November evoke a mix of feelings in the minds of internal medicine residents seeking a fellowship position, as well as the program leadership responsible for interviewing candidates.

Geriatric Cardiology; Conceptual Image

Register For ACC’s Geriatric Section Case Study Presentations

September 24, 2020

Educational Opportunities

Join the ACC Geriatric and Interventional Cardiology Sections for case-based presentations, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. ET, showing the many intersections between the care of the geriatric patient and interventional cardiology.

Cardiology Magazine, September 2020; The Power of Community

Meet Our FIT Section Editor: Mohsin Chowdhury, MD

September 24, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Mohsin Chowdhury, MD, is an interventional cardiology fellow at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, MA. He earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Northern Illinois University and his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Cardiology Magazine, September 2020; The Power of Community

Challenges in Procedural Cardiovascular Specialties

September 24, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Edward Chu, MD, describes how one of the toughest decisions he made in medical school was telling his research mentor and program director of the general surgery residency that he would be applying into internal medicine The learning curve in procedural specialties is undoubtedly steep.

Zoom Meeting; Conceptual Image

The Appeal of Asynchronous Learning in Fellowship and Six Tips For Using it Effectively

September 15, 2020

Feature Article

With social distancing in full force, video conferencing has largely replaced in-person meetings. There is no shortage of great systems that can be used for video conferencing, and this is a perfect time to take things a step further and use the technology to its full potential by creating video recorded lectures.

Interventional Procedure; Conceptual Image

Complications

September 15, 2020

Feature Article

"Okay, we are all done. Her filling pressures are low and her cardiac output is more than adequate on the pressors she is on. I got rid of the sharps." As I broke scrub and gave the cath lab staff a quick update, I felt good about the information we gleaned from Ms. Smith's right heart catheterization. She had developed acute respiratory failure of unclear etiology over the weekend and was now breathing on a ventilator, but the data I obtained seemed to imply her heart was not the culprit, even with her known severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Mentor Mentee; Conceptual Image

Maintaining Mentor Relationships From a Distance

September 15, 2020

Feature Article

As part of a busy cardiology training program, it may feel like the people who provide mentorship are always around. However, it is important to remember that this will not always be the case.

Newspaper Financial Page

COVID-19, the Economy and the Financial Markets

September 15, 2020

Feature Article

Our previous article, titled "Stock Market Dip? Portfolio Adjustments to Consider," focused on actions to consider with your investment portfolio during temporary declines in the stock market, as we experienced in early 2020. Unfortunately, the global pandemic is still around, and the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a significant impact on our health, the real economy and financial markets.

Saving, Contributing; Conceptual Image

Stock Market Dip? Portfolio Adjustments to Consider

September 9, 2020

Feature Article

Whew! The last few months in the stock market have not been for the faint of heart. The global economy, and by extension the equity markets, have been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtual Interview; Conceptual Image

Questions to Ask On Your Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Virtual Interview

September 2, 2020

Feature Article

This is the second year that advanced heart failure and transplant fellowships are participating in the match process. While programs are still in a transition phase of adjusting to this application process, there is yet another layer of having to adapt this year to a remote virtual interview format in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

JACC

JACC Review Provides Update on Contemporary Knowledge of SCAD

August 26, 2020

While increasing recognition of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has improved understanding of the disease process and highlighted shortfalls in evidence, prospective and collaborative research across centers and geography are still needed to advance the science, according to a state-of-the-art review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology

New JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology Issue Provides Closer Look at the SAN; Imaging Cases; More

August 26, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

The latest issue of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, and second under the leadership of new Editor in Chief Kalyanam Shivkumar, MD, PhD, FACC, features a mini focus issue on catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, informative imaging in electrophysiology cases and a basic and translational science manuscript examining subcellular Ca2+ signals within and among cells comprising the sinoatrial node (SAN) tissue.

JACC: Case Reports

COVID-19 Themed Issue of JACC: Case Reports

August 26, 2020

COVID-19 Coverage

Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic requires a coordinated plan that balances quality patient care with the safety of health care workers, all while maintaining consistent access to care for patients with and without COVID-19.

ACC LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

Reserve Your Spot in ACC’s 2020 Virtual Legislative Conference

August 19, 2020

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

Registration is now open for the ACC's 2020 Virtual Legislative Conference from Oct. 4 – 6. This year's conference occurs at an unprecedented time. Over the last several months, COVID-19 has underscored the importance of ACC's advocacy work on behalf of clinicians, patients and the entire medical community, This year's conference will provide the inside scoop on regulatory changes, legislative action and the current state of cardiology.

Effective Project Management of Clinical Trials

August 17, 2020

Feature Article

During medical school or post graduate training, we receive some formal training in designing and running complex programs like research projects or clinical trials.

JACC: Case Reports

JACC: Case Reports and ACC Imaging Section to Host Virtual Journal Club

August 11, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

The ACC Imaging section and JACC: Case Reports will host a Virtual Journal Club on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 12 – 12:30 p.m. ET. This live, interactive webinar will feature a presentation and discussion on the case, "Roadmap to the Mechanisms of Aortic Regurgitation on Echocardiography," publishing in the Journal's August issue.

JACC: Case Reports

Call For Papers: JACC: Case Reports Procedural Complications Issue

August 11, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

JACC: Case Reports will publish a special themed issue on complications this December. Authors are invited to submit cases representing interventional, electrophysiology and transcatheter complications for consideration on or before Monday, Sept. 7.

COVID-19; Conceptual Image

Interventional Cardiology Board Review

August 11, 2020

ACC Chapters

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACC Iowa Chapter and ACC Iowa Fellows in Training (FIT) Council have made continuing fellow education a priority. The general cardiology board-oriented lecture series – first conceived by ACC Iowa Chapter President Mahi L. Ashwath, MD, MBA, FACC, and planned with Shubha Deep Roy, MD, and Nancy Adams – ran every Saturday for 12 weeks, starting May 2nd and ending on July 25th, with 39 talks by 30 speakers across four states.

Cardiology Magazine July 2020 Web Edition

The Stories of ISCHEMIA

August 4, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

The results of the ISCHEMIA trial were published on March 30, amidst the coronavirus pandemic. In brief, the study showed no significant difference in death, myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest or hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure during follow-up.

Cardiology Magazine July 2020 Web Edition

Transforming Care For LGBTQ+ Patients

August 4, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

With roughly 10 million adults in the U.S. identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more, the LGBTQ+ community is one of the populations arguably among the most underserved when it comes to health care.

Inquisative Man using laptop; Conceptual Image

Help Us Improve Your ACC.org Experience

August 4, 2020

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

The College is working to improve the ACC.org homepage experience for all ACC members – and we need your help! Take two to three minutes to fill out a brief survey letting us know what information that matters most to you on ACC.org.

Cardiology Magazine July 2020 Web Edition

Research For Early Career Interventional Cardiologists

August 4, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Writing manuscripts, submitting grants and presenting at conferences in the first few years of clinical practice is hard to maintain without structure and appropriate support.

Cardiology Magazine July 2020 Web Edition

A Framework to Integrate Popular Media Into CV Medicine

August 4, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

How does one know whether information accessed through the internet is accurate? A recent Cardiology article discusses how accessing accurate and high-quality medical information has become a challenge in today's era of self-purported experts propagating medical information, or likely misinformation, with limited evidence-base over the Internet.

Cardiology Magazine July 2020 Web Edition

Cardiology in the Post COVID-19 Era: Less Essential Than Before?

August 4, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

When Mount Sinai Hospital in New York decided to reassign house staff to the front lines, the cardiology fellows were initially protected to maintain adequate staffing on presumably essential cardiovascular services: it seemed unlikely that patients were going to stop developing heart attacks, congestive heart failure and lethal arrhythmias.

COVID-19; Conceptual Image

Check Out ACC's "Quick Tips for Fast Thinking" Video Library

July 28, 2020

COVID-19 Hub Video

In ACC's "Quick Tips for Fast Thinking" video library, ACC thought leaders provide structured reviews of emerging science, perspectives from the front line, guidance on nonclinical issues and sharing of best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

JACC

Letter Addresses Parental Leave in CVD Training Programs

July 28, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

A letter published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology examines data from the 2019 Cardiovascular Disease Program Director Survey and addresses parental leave in cardiovascular disease training programs.

Mentor Mentee; Conceptual Image

ACC, ABIM Extend Deadlines For Completing 2020 CMP Requirements

July 15, 2020

Announcements

The ACC and American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) have extended the deadline for meeting 2020 Collaborative Maintenance Pathway (CMP) requirements into 2021 to provide physicians with the flexibility to focus on their patients and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Podcast; Conceptual Image

Listen Up! Podcasts as an Innovative Educational Resource

July 14, 2020

Featured Podcast

You have just finished a tough day on the cardiology consult service. You walk through your front door, exhausted, only to be greeted by a sink full of dishes, laundry to fold and missed phone calls from loved ones to return.

Webinar; Conceptual Image

JACC Journals Webinar: Must-Know Tips For Publishing

July 10, 2020

Featured Webinar

Learn techniques and strategies for publishing in JACC Journals during a free webinar presented by JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions Editor-in-Chief David J. Moliterno, MD, FACC, on Thursday, July 30 at 9 a.m. ET.

Webinar; Conceptual Image

Webinar: Post-Fellowship Transition in the Time of COVID-19

July 10, 2020

Featured Webinar

Join moderators Nosheen Reza, MD, and J.D. Serfas, MD, along with several panelists for a webinar on July 15 at 7 p.m. ET discussing the unique obstacles and opportunities for FITs as they plan to complete training and enter the cardiology workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TOP 5; Conceptual Image

HRS 2020: My Top Five Takeaways

July 8, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Edward Chu, MD, cardiology Fellow in Training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, discusses his top takeaways from HRS 2020 Science Online, which highlighted the impressive scientific advancements made by the EP community.

COVID-19 Virus; Conceptual Image

The Urgency of Clinician Well-Being During the COVID Pandemic

July 8, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a dramatic source of stress for physicians in the U.S. The pandemic has created an abrupt increase in workload, exposed physicians to personal risk of infection, forced many to practice outside their typical area of expertise, and exposed them to tremendous moral distress and human suffering.

Research, Study; Conceptual Image

Experience New Interactive and Comprehensive Board Prep

June 23, 2020

Educational Opportunities

The ACC is excited to announce a whole new board prep option — ACC Cardiovascular Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience and ACC/SCAI Interventional Cardiology Overview and Board Prep Virtual Experience.

George Floyd Protests and Tributes

Eight Minutes and 46 Seconds That Should Change the Way You Practice Medicine

June 16, 2020

Feature Article

Watching the final moments of George Floyd's life was bearing witness to a complete disregard for human life. What makes the kind of total disregard for an entire population of human beings in this country possible is the denial of the very notion that Blacks are human at all. Black people have been systematically dehumanized in this country for hundreds of years.

George Floyd News; Conceptual Image

The Mask

June 16, 2020

I awake suddenly to the alarm clock blaring for my attention. With my eyes still shut, I clumsily feel around on my nightstand for my cellphone and the blinding light emanating from it snickers at me that it is 6 a.m. As I work to summon the strength to get out of bed, I procrastinate by scrolling through my social media feed. I impatiently scan through numerous articles chronicling the tumultuous year that 2020 has been, looking for some semblance of good news to start my day. Instead, the picture of a man and the accompanying caption grabs my attention, and I am overtaken by weakness. The headline above his head reads "Unarmed Black Man Dies in Police Custody."

Cardiology Magazine May 2020

Accelerating the CV Subspecialist Training Pathway

June 1, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Edward Chu, MD, Fellow in Training (FIT) at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY, explains how although recent measures have ameliorated the debt accrued during medical school, none have addressed the extensive and perhaps unnecessarily long length of medical training, particularly to become a cardiology subspecialist.

Cardiology Magazine May 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic: An FIT Perspective

June 1, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

The global pandemic caused by disease from the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has had an unparalleled impact on our society, health care systems and cardiovascular community, including fellows-in-training (FITs).

Cardiology Magazine May 2020

Lessons From Wuhan: Insights From Our Colleague in China

June 1, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In late March, a series of live video webinars held through a collaboration of the ACC and the China Cardiovascular Association brought early insights on managing COVID-19 from the front lines in Wuhan, China.

COVID-19 Virus; Conceptual Image

Trainees in the Time of COVID-19

May 19, 2020

Feature Article

"What have you been doing with anticoagulation?" My residency WhatsApp group lights up with responses from group members in a matter of minutes with personal experiences, links to case studies and hospital policies from various institutions. Like the rest of the world, they are learning day-by-day how to manage COVID-19 patients.

Virtual Conference; Conceptual Image

Virtual Learning in the COVID-19 Era – and Beyond

May 19, 2020

Feature Article

With COVID-19 sweeping the nation and the subsequent need for physical and social distancing, traditional educational efforts based on in-person didactic conferences have been directly impacted.

Individual Workspace; Conceptual Image

Working From Home: Turning Challenge Into Opportunity

May 19, 2020

Feature Article

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced an increasing number of physicians to work from home and maintain social distancing. It is anticipated that even when we return to our normal routine, telemedicine will continue to have a major and ever-expanding role. Therefore, we need to adapt to the concept of working from home.

COVID-19 Burnout Stress Medical Workers; Conceptual Image

Explore the Well-Being and Burnout Interest Group

May 8, 2020

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

Careers in cardiology are demanding – and the global pandemic has only highlighted some of the challenges that cardiovascular professionals face.

J.D. Serfas, MD

Dear Incoming FITs

May 8, 2020

Letter From the Editor

Welcome! You are about to embark on the ride of a lifetime – training in this great field is exciting, challenging and rewarding, and will open your eyes to the incredible breadth of cardiovascular medicine. And all along the way, we in the ACC FIT Leadership Council aim to be your go-to source for information and updates on all things relevant to life as a fellow.

Blood Platelets; Conceptual Image

Antiplatelet Therapy For High Bleeding Risk Patients Undergoing PCI

May 5, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

DAPT after PCI improves morbidity and mortality by reducing ischemic events but increases bleeding risk, especially for high bleeding risk patients. Nearly one-third of patients treated with PCI are considered to be at high bleeding risk, but these patients are frequently excluded from stent trials.

Interventional Procedure; Conceptual Image

ACC.20/WCC Top Interventional Takeaways

May 5, 2020

ACC20WCC

Several important trials were presented during the ACC.20 Together With World Congress of Cardiology virtual experience that may change treatment and guidelines for coronary artery disease management, PAD and coronary artery interventions.

COVID-19; Conceptual Image

Join a Twitter Chat on JACC COVID-19 Hub Research

May 5, 2020

COVID-19 Coverage

As cardiovascular professionals work on the front lines to treat patients with COVID-19, JACC Journals has been compiling a collection of manuscripts with the goal of providing guidance on the novel coronavirus for clinicians.

JACC

Catch Up On the Latest COVID-19 Manuscripts From JACC Journals

April 21, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

In a new Editor's Page published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), Editor-in-Chief Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, and Justine Turco, ACC's divisional senior director of publishing, provide a look on how COVID-19 has impacted clinical care and peer-review publishing.

J.D. Serfas, MD

COVID-19: A Message From the Editor-in-Chief

April 14, 2020

Feature Article

Dear Cardiology FITs, This month's edition of the ACC On-Call for FITs Newsletter is like almost everything else you read at this time – COVID-19 themed.

COVID-19 Scene; Conceptual Image

COVID-19: A Cardiology Fellowship Program's Drive For Stability

April 14, 2020

Feature Article

Over the last few months, hospitals across the country made valiant efforts to prepare their institutions for a surge of potential cases of COVID-19. An "all hands-on deck" philosophy has been implemented at hospitals to stay ahead of anticipated high volumes.

Compassion; Conceptual Image

My COVID-19 Experience: Aakriti Gupta, MD, MS

April 14, 2020

Feature Article

On my way home from the airport on returning from vacation on March 20, I found myself coming back to a New York City that had totally transformed from the one I left – empty roads at peak rush hour, closed cafes and no riverside runners.

Telehealth, COVID-19; Conceptual Image

Telemedicine and CV Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 14, 2020

Feature Article

The COVID-19 pandemic is an extraordinary and unprecedented international health crisis which has brought about drastic changes in the landscape of health care, including the implementation of telemedicine.

COVID-19; Conceptual Image

COVID-19 Slowdown: What is an Economic Recession?

April 14, 2020

Feature Article

Here we are, Spring 2020, eleven years after the stock market bottomed out in March of 2009 following the Global Financial Crisis. While the past decade has generally exhibited falling unemployment, rising stock prices and other positive economic indicators, it may have also lulled investors into complacency after an extended period of relatively tranquil capital markets.

Working Studying; Conceptual Image

Save the Date For ACC’s CV Board Review

April 14, 2020

Save the Date

Are you preparing for certification in cardiovascular disease? If so, join the ACC Cardiovascular Overview and Board Review Course for an intense review designed to cover everything on the ABIM exam blueprint and much more.

ICU; Conceptual Image

The Man Who Woke Up: Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, A Survivor's Story

April 9, 2020

Feature Article

They handed me the EKG. Normal rhythm...no signs of ischemia... but something jumped out. A subtle, sloping, early rise in the QRS complex with a short PR interval. A delta wave. Preexcitation. The patient had undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and it had just finished trying to kill him.

Career, Job Interview, Commute; Conceptual Image

Take the Next Step in Your Career With ACC’s Cardiology Careers Page

March 28, 2020

Career Development

Let the ACC help you take the next step in your career by visiting the Cardiology Careers page. With more than a thousand job listings and dozens of career-focused articles, Cardiology Careers will help you find your next job or succeed at the one you have now.

JACC: Case Reports

Call For COVID-19 Clinical Cases

March 25, 2020

In an effort to help inform and educate our medical community on improved patient care related to the COVID-19 pandemic, JACC: Case Reports offers a publication avenue for sharing this knowledge with less preparation time than traditional manuscripts and fast-tracked review.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Cardio-Obstetrics – Developing a Niche in Maternal CV Health

March 25, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

As the future holds great promise for improved multidisciplinary collaborations between cardiology and obstetrics, cardio-obstetrics may present a unique opportunity for Fellows in Training (FITs) and early career professionals to develop a niche in this expanding subspecialty, according to an FIT/Early Career Page published March 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Page: Embarking on a Career in Cardio-Rheumatology

March 25, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

Cardiology fellowship programs may need to expand their curriculum to include cardio-rheumatology didactics, clinical rotations and mentoring opportunities for fellows to explore their interests in this field, according to a Fellows in Training (FIT) and Early Career Page published March 23 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

J.D. Serfas, MD

My Fellow Fellows: A Letter on ACC.20/WCC Virtual From J.D. Serfas, MD

March 18, 2020

Letter From the Editor

I know that you are, like me, disappointed that you won't be able to share your science, network and learn in person at ACC.20 Together With World Congress of Cardiology (ACC.20/WCC). However, with the COVID-19 epidemic, there's no doubt that canceling the conference was a difficult but necessary measure to protect the health of our members.

FIT event

Program Spotlight: Washington University in St. Louis

March 18, 2020

Feature Article

In the first installment of the "Program Spotlight" series, which we highlight programs that have undertaken innovative initiatives in fellow education and training, Prashanth Thakker, MD, chief Fellow in Training (FIT) at Washington University in St. Louis shares the multifaceted approach that the Washington University cardiology FITs have taken to improve fellow wellness.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Training the Next Generation of Cardiometabolic Specialists

March 16, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

Early exposure and training in cardiometabolic medicine may help prepare emerging clinicians with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver optimal and unified care to this high-risk cohort, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career Page published March 9 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Emerging Specialties For a New Year

March 16, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

As a new year is well underway, the Fellows in Training (FIT)/Early Career Page, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, will be running a new series featuring work from early career leaders in emerging cardiac subspecialties.

CV Investigator; Conceptual Image

Becoming a Cardiovascular Investigator

March 13, 2020

The young physician on the path to becoming a cardiologist is familiar with how scholarship is interwoven with the discipline. Although the academic productivity of the field is apparent, the path to becoming a cardiovascular investigator might seem elusive.

Venezuela

Cardiology Fellowship in Venezuela: Training in Times of Crisis

March 13, 2020

I knew I wanted to become a cardiologist from a very early age; I was in part influenced by my father who is a cardiologist and my mother who is a nurse. I still remember my first day of cardiology fellowship vividly – feeling fortunate to be able to do fellowship in what was considered the best academic hospital of my home country of Venezuela, the Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC).

Doctor Patient; Conceptual Image

Lessons Learned: Tips For the Job Search

March 13, 2020

Throughout my entire medical training, I had been fixated on one thing: becoming a noninvasive cardiologist. However, as I started the job search, I had to think for the first time about the nuances of what I want my job to look like and what practice environment would be best for my professional growth. This journey has been challenging, but rewarding and worthy of reflection.

Gathering of Doctors; Conceptual Image

The Interventional Cardiology Trail: A Fellow’s Journey

March 13, 2020

Each year, thousands of residents in the U.S. apply to fellowship programs through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), a centralized online application service. Programs then invite selected applicants for interviews.

Heart Failure; Conceptual Image

The Road Less Traveled: Complexities of Advanced Therapies in ACHD

March 13, 2020

With advances in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease (CHD), there is an increased prevalence of adults who develop ventricular dysfunction and subsequent advanced heart failure. As cardiology trainees, we will be caring for these adults who are very different compared to patients with other forms of heart failure.

JACC: Case Reports

JACC: Case Reports Addresses Social Media; Kardashian Index; More

March 2, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

The latest issue of JACC: Case Reports is now available online, featuring a mini focus issue on myocardial and pericardial inflammation, second mini focus issue on electrophysiology, new Technical Corner, and wide variety of clinical cases.

Artificial Intelligence; Conceptual Image

Recommended Reading | The Future of AI: Fight, Flight or Lead?

March 2, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Despite all the hype (and fear) that AI could replace clinicians, we are far from this scenario. Much of the technology exists to execute pieces of such a clinic visit, but that is a long way from implementation of safe, effective and efficient "AI for health care" solutions.

Critical Patient with Nurse; Conceptual Image

Recommended Reading | Cardiac Critical Care – An(other) Emerging Subspecialty to Consider?

March 2, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

The field of cardiology has grown tremendously in the past two decades. No longer are cardiology fellows only pursuing the traditional subspecialties of intervention, electrophysiology or heart failure. Now they are actively creating their own niches, and the newest area of interest that has caught the attention of budding cardiologists is cardiac critical care.

Job Interview; Conceptual Image

Recommended Reading | Transitioning From Fellow to Attending: Tips For the Job Hunt

March 2, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Transitioning from medical school to residency and from residency to fellowship follows an established, comfortable template. Transitioning from training to full-time employment is a different animal. Gone is the warm blanket of the clearly-defined timeline and process, which can be appropriately anxiety-provoking for graduating fellows.

JACC

2019 JACC Top Picks From Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC

February 26, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

As part of the latest issue of JACC, Editor-in-Chief Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, has published his annual Editor-in-Chief's Top Picks. Each year, Fuster personally selects the top 100 papers from the previous year, including both original investigations and review articles from 15 distinct specialties.

ACC.20/WCC

Advance Your Career With ACC’s Cardiology Careers Resource

February 26, 2020

Career Development

Did you know the ACC has a resource for members that offers news, career advice and opportunities with employers looking for top talent? Visit ACC's Cardiology Careers whether you are looking to find your next career opportunity or find new employees.

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging Publishes Two In-Depth Focus Issues

February 18, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging has recently published two special issues: one dedicated to the topic of noninvasive imaging for the evaluation of diastolic function and the second to the value of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in cardiology.

Machine Learning; Conceptual Image

AI 101: An Artificial Intelligence Primer For FITs

February 18, 2020

Feature Article

Every day, new television advertisements, journal articles, books, podcasts and companies pop up, touting machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) as the next wave of change in our modern society. Experts believe ML and AI can answer challenging questions, create novel insights and accomplish arduous tasks that were never before possible.

Ankit Bhatia, MD

FIT Spotlight: Ankit Bhatia, MD

February 18, 2020

Feature Article

Ankit Bhatia, MD, is a third-year cardiology Fellow in Training (FIT) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, and will be staying on for an advanced heart failure and transplant fellowship during the upcoming academic year.

David O. Taylor, MD, FACC

In Memoriam: Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Medicine Fellows Pay Tribute to David O. Taylor, MD, FACC

February 18, 2020

Feature Article

This tribute begins with an apology. We would like to apologize to those of you who never had the opportunity to meet David O. Taylor, MD, FACC. A tall, thin man from New Mexico, he had a warm, yet slightly mischievous smile, and a guffaw that will never be forgotten. You could not miss him – he was the man wearing the green scrub shirt, tucked into khaki cargos with dress shoes.

Nebraska Chapter Event

Save the Date: Third Annual ACC Midwest WIC Symposium Coming Up in June

February 18, 2020

Save the Date

When I started my cardiology fellowship just a few months ago, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to get involved with the ACC as early as this year. However, thanks to my superwoman Associate Program Director Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, FACC, who introduced me to the local ACC chapter, I have had the opportunity to be the ACC Fellow in Training (FIT) representative on the planning committee for the third Annual ACC Midwest Women In Cardiology (WIC) Symposium.

Professional Conference; Conceptual Image

The Top Six Ways to Get the Most Out of an Academic Conference

February 11, 2020

Feature Article

Professional conferences are an important part of fellowship and continuing education for physicians at all stages in their careers. They provide an opportunity to keep up to date with innovations and research, and are a great opportunity for networking with people who have shared interests.

Doctor Patient; Conceptual Image

The Importance of Women’s CV Health Programs: Three Physicians Examine Gender Disparity Gaps in Health Care Careers

February 11, 2020

Feature Article

I wanted to explore why women's cardiovascular health programs are important, so I spoke with three physicians that have spent a large part of their careers focusing on women's cardiovascular health: Lori B. Croft, MD, FACC, associate professor of medicine and director of the echocardiography lab at Mount Sinai; Katharine French, MD, FACC, assistant professor of medicine and director of the women's cardiac center at Brown University; and Annabelle S. Volgman, MD, FACC, professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center and medical director of the Rush Heart Center for Women.

Salary; Conceptual Image

It's Time to Get Paid! Negotiating a Salary Increase

February 11, 2020

Feature Article

Whether you are a Fellow in Training (FIT) who has just finished 6 – 8 years of training and starting your first job, or an early career who has been at the same job for a few years, at some point in your career you will find yourself wondering how you can negotiate a salary increase.

Diabetes Nerve Damage Test; Conceptual Image

Multi-Specialty Approach to PVD

February 11, 2020

Feature Article

We have had a great success with educating our colleagues of myocardial infarction and stroke, but we tend to forget about peripheral arterial disease. We know all about heart attacks and brain attacks. Now, it is time to recognize "leg attacks."

Interventional; Conceptual Image

Competency in the Basics of CIED Management: Bridging the Training Gap

February 11, 2020

Feature Article

Cardiovascular medicine is a broad and diverse medical science. Between general cardiology, interventional cardiology, advanced heart failure, cardiac imaging, critical care cardiology, adult congenital heart disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology (CCEP), in addition to new emerging fields such as preventive cardiology and cardio-oncology, training programs work hard to provide general cardiology fellows with a decent exposure to the different subspecialties of cardiovascular medicine.

Research, Studying, Academic; Conceptual Image

Last Chance! Submit NCDR Research Proposals by Feb. 3

January 31, 2020

Announcements

Don't forget to submit NCDR research proposal applications (RPAs) by Monday, Feb. 3. NCDR is accepting AFib Ablation Registry RPAs for the first time this year. Also, beginning this year, NCDR is changing its Research & Publications (R&P) cycle to offer one annual research proposal deadline and one annual review meeting for all NCDR registries, except the STS/ACC TVT Registry, PINNACLE Registry and Diabetes Collaborative Registry.

Gender Bias; Conceptual Image

Cardiology Magazine Cover Story Spotlights Implicit Bias and the Unconscious Barriers to Quality Care and Diversity in Medicine

January 31, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Everyone, including physicians and other health care professionals, has implicit (also called unconscious) biases that affect how they view the world and interact with others. A recent Cardiology magazine article deep dives into the several definitions of implicit bias that all come down to the same thing: attitudes or decisions that lead to unintended disparities and inequalities and reinforce cultural biases, resulting in "unintended consequences."

Smart Watch; Conceptual Image

Keeping a Smart Watch on Heart Health: A Look Ahead to Consumer Wearable Devices in the 2020s

January 31, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Naomi F. Botkin, MD, FACC, shares her story about how a wearable device may have saved her life when she was experiencing moderate-intensity chest discomfort at work. After turning to her Apple watch for an ECG, she noticed an ST elevation on the single lead tracing, and was later diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction secondary to spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

JACC: Case Reports

JACC: Case Reports Viewpoint Explores Focused FIT Training

January 23, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

The creation of a formal and structured women's cardiovascular health curriculum within fellowship training programs is key to ensuring clinicians understand and gain expertise in sex- and gender-specific cardiovascular care, according to a JACC: Case Reports viewpoint.

ACC Webinar

Webinar: Social Media to Educate, Promote, Collaborate and Build Your Brand

January 23, 2020

Featured Webinar

Are you on social media? Join the ACC for a webinar, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. ET, to discuss the reach and utility of social media to advance knowledge, as well as how to successfully promote oneself and collaborate with others with similar interests to advance their careers.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

JACC Leadership Page: Addressing Clinician Well-Being

January 23, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

In a Leadership Page published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Akshay Khandelwal, MD, FACC; Laxmi Mehta, MD, FACC; Scott Lilly, MD, FACC; and Poonam Velagapudi, MD, FACC, discuss the importance of addressing burnout and clinician well-being and the necessity to address systemic issues that improve clinician efficiency while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.

JACC: CardioOncology

Learn Alongside Cardio-Oncology Leaders at ACC's Unique Course

January 23, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

Learn side-by-side with peers, participate in interactive case discussions on evidence-based treatment strategies and build your cardio-oncology community at ACC's Advancing Cardiovascular Care of the Oncology Patient course, taking place Feb. 14 – 16 in Washington, DC.

ACC.20/WCC

Live Session at ACC.20/WCC: Improving How We Communicate CVD Risk to Patients

January 23, 2020

ACC20WCC

As clinicians, we spend a lot of time thinking and talking about risk. While risk-related concepts may seem clear to us, they can register with patients as a confusing assortment of jargon and numbers. Moreover, patients' comprehension of and reactions to risk are influenced by a host of factors that are not always well understood by clinicians.

Chili Peppers; Conceptual Image

Most Talked About JACC Journals Articles From 2019

January 23, 2020

JACC Family of Journals

Chili Pepper Consumption and Mortality in Italian Adults by Marialaura Bonaccio, PhD, et al. received the most online attention among research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) in 2019.

Lucy Roche, MD

Interview With Lucy Roche, MD

January 14, 2020

Feature Interview

In this feature interview, Lucy Roche, MD, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) fellowship director at the Peter Munk Cardiac Center in Toronto, Canada, and pioneer of the combined ACHD-heart failure (HF) clinic shares her perspectives regarding this subspecialty.

Busy Hospital; Conceptual Image

Transitioning From Fellow to Attending: Tips For the Job Hunt

January 14, 2020

Feature Article

As medical trainees, we are all familiar with the match process. It proceeds in a predictable way: talk to mentors, submit your CV, receive interview invitations, attend interviews, rank your choices and cross your fingers. All steps are completed within a pre-specified period of time and with a clearly defined process in place.

Cardio-Oncology Section Image

Cardio-Oncology, Amyloidosis and Sarcoidosis Training in Advanced HF Fellowship

January 14, 2020

Feature Article

A new era is upon us in the fields of cardio-oncology, amyloidosis and cardiac sarcoidosis. This is especially true of transthyretin amyloidosis with the recent advancements both in diagnosis and management. From a treatment viewpoint, advent of a new class of drugs – transthyretin stabilizers – has shown significant improvement in outcome measures in this patient cohort.

Interventional Procedure; Conceptual Image

Interventional Heart Failure: Insight into an Evolving Training Pathway

January 8, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Colin Hirst, MD, discusses how a new, combined training program, interventional heart failure, has emerged – ad hoc – from increasingly complex clinical and procedural needs of the contemporary advanced heart failure patient.

Surgeon; Conceptual Image

Transcaval Access: You Can Go Femoral, or Femoral!

January 6, 2020

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, John Lisko, MD, MPH, Fellow in Training at the Emory Structural Heart and Valve Center, discusses how in an effort to improve outcomes in patients without suitable femoral arterial access, alternative access strategies have been developed.

Bonnie Ky Clyde Yancy

JACC: CardioOncology Editor’s Page: The Impact of Mentorship

December 18, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

In a new Editor's Page published in the JACC: CardioOncology, Editor-in-Chief Bonnie Ky, MD, MSCE, FACC, discusses the critical importance of building the pipeline of young, motivated investigators and clinicians who want to make a difference. Ky also sat down with Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MACC, recently to discuss the importance of mentorship.

Evan D. Ownby, MD, FACC

New Practice Made Perfect Podcast Episode Discusses Population Health

December 18, 2019

Featured Podcast

The newest episode of ACC's Practice Made Perfect podcast is now live. Evan D. Ownby, MD, FACC, hosts ACC CEO Tim Attebery, DSc, MBA, and Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, FACC, to discuss population health, the impact on patient care and measurable outcomes. Listen now.

Child Cancer Patient Oncology; Conceptual Image

Introduction to Cardio-Oncology

December 16, 2019

Feature Article

Cardio-oncology is neither the science nor the practice of treating heart tumors, rather an emerging multidisciplinary field that focuses on the cardiovascular management (prevention, diagnosis and treatment) of patients with cancer. The core objective of the cardio-oncology discipline is to ensure that "the cancer patient of today does not become the heart patient of tomorrow."

Dee Dee Wang, MD, FACC

Interview With Dee Dee Wang, MD, FACC

December 16, 2019

Feature Interview

Kashif Shaikh, MD, interviews Dee Dee Wang, MD, FACC, covering structural cardiac imaging and other topics of interest.

Washington, DC

A First Timer’s Take on the ACC Fellow in Training Advocacy Day

December 16, 2019

Feature Article

As a trainee, I had never considered myself an advocate in any formal capacity. However, I always advocated for my patients when I spoke on their behalf with insurance companies to request authorization for medications that would make a difference in their life. Perhaps for this reason, I did not think twice when offered the chance to travel to DC as part of ACC's 2019 Legislative Conference, and formally advocate for patients and physicians on a broader scale.

Interventional Angiography; Conceptual Image

How to Successfully Transition to an Interventional Cardiology Fellowship

December 16, 2019

Feature Article

We all face multiple transition points within our training career. However, the transition from general cardiology to interventional cardiology is quite unique. For the first time, we turn from a clinically-heavy training program to a lab-based, procedural training environment. I have highlighted four steps to best prepare you for the rigors of an interventional cardiology fellowship and beyond.

2019 ACC Legislative Conference Session

Advocacy and Mentorship: Tales From the ACC Legislative Conference

December 16, 2019

Feature Article

Every Fall, members of the ACC unite in Washington, DC, to advocate for patients and meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. This year's ACC Legislative Conference included a record-breaking 94 cardiology fellows. As a first-year cardiology fellow, this was the first time I immersed myself in the experience. During my college and medical school years, I developed a passion for health policy and bringing about a positive change through advocacy, which made being able to attend the ACC Legislative Conference a particularly special opportunity.

Clinical Lab Work; Conceptual Image

Would You Like to See Your Clinical Case Presented During ACC.20/WCC?

December 13, 2019

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

Submit to JACC: Case Reports by Dec. 31, and your case could be selected for presentation during the Journal's Best of 2019 session at ACC.20 Together With the World Congress of Cardiology. All cases submitted in 2019 will be considered. Learn expert tips and tricks for writing clinical cases in this video with JACC: Case Reports Editor-in-Chief Julia Grapsa, MD, PhD, FACC, and Associate Editor Mary Norine Walsh, MD, MACC.

Breast Feeding; Conceptual Image

A Case For Support for Breastfeeding Cardiology Fellows

December 13, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

"Cardiovascular medicine is among the most gender-imbalanced medical specialties in the United States. Over the last 12 years, the proportion of women in U.S. cardiology fellowship programs has remained stagnant around 20 percent," write Jenna Kay, MD, Nosheen Reza, MD, and Frank E. Silvestry, MD, in a recent "Voices in Cardiology" piece in JACC: Case Reports.

ACC Annual Meeting Floor

Want to See Your Clinical Case Presented During ACC.20/WCC?

November 26, 2019

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

Submit to JACC: Case Reports by Dec. 31 and your case could be selected for presentation during the Journal's Best of 2019 session during ACC.20 Together With the World Congress of Cardiology.

Alison Bailey

Part Two of Practice Made Perfect Podcast Continues Conversation on Negotiation Skills

November 26, 2019

Featured Podcast

The second episode in the two-part conversation, Negotiation Skills: Helping Leaders Get Ahead, is now live. Practice Made Perfect podcast host Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, and guests Cathleen Biga, MSN, RN, FACC, and Peter L. Duffy, MD, FACC, continue their conversation on contract negotiation at any career stage, from first job to retirement.

Newspaper Financial Page

Portfolio Rebalancing – Building on Concepts

November 26, 2019

Feature Article

Having covered a rebalancing example in our previous article, we will build on those concepts by reviewing risk and return characteristics, as well as the concept of correlation.

Audacious Optimism, Career Transitions and Professional Vision: Lessons From the ACC WIC Leadership Workshop

November 19, 2019

Feature Article

During this year's ACC Legislative Conference, attendees had the fantastic opportunity of participating in the ACC Women in Cardiology (WIC) Leadership Workshop. Female cardiology Fellows in Training (FITs) spent an afternoon with mentors from across the country to share experiences, connect and discuss wide-ranging topics such as career transitions and planning, interacting with news media, and recognizing priorities.

Cardiac Critical Care – An(other) Emerging Subspecialty to Consider?

November 19, 2019

Feature Article

The field of cardiology has grown tremendously in the past two decades. No longer are cardiology fellows only pursuing the traditional subspecialties of intervention, electrophysiology or heart failure, but they are actively creating their own niches. Not all fellows are training at institutions with patients who require advanced mechanical support; however, they may obtain jobs at these institutions and want to take care of such patients. The question is, how? The answer may be in cardiac critical care – a subspecialty that is in its infancy but growing in popularity. There are only a few places in the country that offer dedicated cardiac critical care programs (Cedars Sinai and the Mayo Clinic, for example).

Entering the World of Advocacy as an FIT

November 19, 2019

Feature Article

I never expected to be involved with the ACC beyond using ACCSAP and attending the Annual Scientific Sessions. Little did I know, this was all going to change because of an e-mail. Like many previous and current attendees, I was first introduced to the ACC Legislative Conference through my state chapter. I filled out the application for a travel grant to the conference and wrote an essay on why I was interested. To my great surprise, I was accepted to attend. I was awestruck by the shear breadth of advocacy that the ACC was participating in on behalf of not only our patients but also physicians and ancillary staff.

Academic Cardiology; Conceptual Image

FIT/Early Career Page: CV Education Science

November 5, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Engaging in cardiovascular-specific education science may present an opportunity for Fellows in Training (FIT) and early career cardiologists to make novel contributions to a nascent field with potential for collaboration across specialties, according to an FIT/Early Career Page published Oct. 28 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

Resources at your fingertips; Conceptual Image

Access QI Tools at Your Fingertips

October 28, 2019

Quality Improvement for Institutions

Easily access some of ACC's Quality Improvement for Institutions' premier resources! Check out two of the most popular tools: the QI Toolkit which features step-by-step tools for completing quality improvement projects, and the QI Abstracts and Poster Tools and Resources.

Diverse Medical Professionals; Conceptual Image

Women in Cardiology: Is it Possible to Have it All?

October 28, 2019

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Toniya Singh, MBBS, FACC, and Tina Shah, MD, FACC, are two busy cardiologists. They are also women who have a family and make time to be active volunteer members of the ACC. In a recent Cardiology article, Singh and Shah talk about making it all work, progress made for women and unfinished business, and advice for their younger self.

Volunteering; Conceptual Image

Sign Up For “Microvolunteer” Opportunities

October 28, 2019

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

There are a lot of big ways to get involved with the College – being on a Section Leadership Council, participating on a taskforce or committee, or serving as faculty for a live course, to name a few. However, we know that not everyone has the time for some of these larger-scale commitments. That's why the ACC is excited to announce the launch of our Microvolunteering Platform.

U.S. Capitol

Webinar: What to Expect at the 2019 Legislative Conference

October 18, 2019

Featured Webinar

Are you attending ACC's 2019 Legislative Conference? Join us for a webinar, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. ET, to hear from ACC Advocacy leaders about the College's ongoing advocacy activities and details for conference.

Woman Doctor and Patient; Conceptual Image

Last Call For Submissions: JACC: Case Reports Special Issue CVD in Women

October 18, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Submissions for a JACC: Case Reports special issue on cardiovascular disease in women are due on or before Oct. 31. Clinical cases, clinical case series and Voices in Cardiology will be accepted, as well as commentaries and perspectives if sufficiently rigorous and impactful.

Global Health; Conceptual Image

What Cardiologists Can Learn From Global Health

October 16, 2019

Feature Article

As she lay on the hospital bed, her chest rose exhaustedly with each breath. She was cool to the touch and clearly in cardiogenic shock. One of the residents returned with dobutamine, his brow gleaming with sweat from running to the ICU in the Caribbean heat. I knew that the odds were against this 19-year-old woman with severe peripartum cardiomyopathy. In Haiti, our resources were severely limited, but we worked tirelessly to stabilize her.

Interventional Procedure; Conceptual Image

My Journey to Interventional Cardiology

October 16, 2019

Feature Article

As a first-year Penn cardiology fellow, I had just finished work rounds in the VA CCU when a staccato message displayed across my iPhone, "New consult: Patient with known HFrEF, concerns for shock." I immediately went down to see the patient on the medicine floor. He was altered from his normal baseline, his extremities were cool, his radial/brachial pulses were weak and thready, and his blood pressure was 108/54 mmHg.

Busy Hospital; Conceptual Image

Things I Wish I Knew During My First Year

October 16, 2019

Feature Article

Congratulations – you have overcome the challenges that arise with the start of your first year of cardiology fellowship! For many of you, those challenges include moving to a new city, navigating an unfamiliar institution, and adjusting to the jarring shift from expert senior medicine resident to humble first-year cardiology fellow – all while studying for the medicine boards.

Diverse Medical Professionals; Conceptual Image

Annual CV Fellows’ Boot Camp at Houston Methodist

October 16, 2019

Feature Article

Every August, first-year fellows around the country meet in Houston to attend one of the largest Cardiovascular Fellows' Boot Camp. The saying goes, "everything is bigger in Texas," and this meeting definitely lives up to the reputation.

Lunch

Last Chance: Attend ACC’s Free Real-World Evidence Course

October 11, 2019

Join the ACC for a complimentary lunch session, Nov. 2 at Heart House in Washington, DC, to enhance your knowledge, competence and skills within the domains of Real World Data use and Real World Evidence application relative to clinical decision-making.

Heart

Attend ACC’s CV Summit and Showcase Your QI Best Practices

October 11, 2019

Educational Opportunities

Join your colleagues for ACC's Cardiovascular Summit, taking place Feb. 6 – 8, 2020 in Washington, DC, for an educational experience featuring the latest cardiovascular management and leadership strategies.

ACC Webinar

FIT Webinar: Novel Careers in Cardiology

October 11, 2019

Featured Webinar

Want to learn about novel career paths in cardiology and the respective training pathways? Join the ACC webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ET, to hear from two recent graduates about their experiences in training for sports cardiology and adult congenital heart disease interventions.

Cardiology Magazine, Sept. 2019

Latest Issue of Cardiology: Exploring ACC Membership; Building Pipelines; Physician Well-Being; More

October 4, 2019

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In the latest issue of Cardiology, read how the value derived from membership is as varied as the paths of nine different members leading to a career in cardiovascular medicine, and how being a part of the "ACC Family" brings unique opportunities, like it did for Yan Wang, MD, PhD, in China, who is being mentored by ACC Vice President-Elect Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC.

Bonnie Ky, MD, FACC

JACC: CardioOncology Publishes First Issue

October 3, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

The first issue of ACC's newest JACC Journal, JACC: CardioOncology, is now online, providing a comprehensive new resource to better understand and apply evolving research surrounding the cardiovascular health of cancer patients and survivors.

Doctor Patient; Conceptual Image

Opportunity to Participate in ACP Care Coordination Workgroup

September 24, 2019

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

The ACC is seeking one to two members to participate in the American College of Physicians Care Coordination Workgroup. The goal of the workgroup is to develop principles for how patient care is shared between primary care and specialty care practices.

U.S. Capitol

We Need You – Become an ACC PACer Today

September 24, 2019

Member Engagement Opportunities at the ACC

Interested in advocacy? The ACC PACers program serves as an opportunity for FIT Section members from the U.S. to engage in ACC's advocacy program and have a voice in shaping health care policies on Capitol Hill.

Prevention

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Enhancing Preventive CV Medicine Training During General Cardiology Fellowship

September 24, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

In order for cardiologists to be well versed in managing complex patient issues related to primary and secondary ASCVD prevention, the current preventive cardiovascular medicine training model for cardiology Fellow in Training (FITs) may need to be enhanced, according to an FIT/Early Career Page published Sept. 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Finances Saving Investments; Conceptual Image

Behavioral Finance: An Introduction

September 23, 2019

Feature Article

Many articles on personal finance and investing provide valuable insight into the mechanics – what is a mutual fund? Why is diversification important? Why and how to rebalance your portfolio? However, writing about investments today would be incomplete without discussing the most important factor – you, as the investor, and actions you may or may not take that affect the long-term success of your investment strategy.

Nosheen Reza, MD

ACC FIT Member Spotlight: Nosheen Reza, MD

September 17, 2019

Feature Interview

Each month, the ACC On-Call For FITs newsletter highlights the achievements of one Fellow in Training (FIT). The Section would like to recognize Nosheen Reza, MD, adult cardiology FIT at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.

Doctor at computer

Best Practices For Providing Telehealth Services

September 17, 2019

Feature Article

Practicing telehealth, in particular synchronous video visits, requires a distinct set of skills. The same etiquette used during in-person visits still applies, but must be augmented to fit the technology and optimized for user experience. For fellows interested in providing telehealth services, below are a few suggestions based on my own experiences and inspired by published guidelines.

Volunteering

Preserving Meaning

September 17, 2019

Feature Article

I expect that the most common reason given on personal statements for pursuing medicine is, "I want to make a difference." Unfortunately, as we progress through months and years of training, the reality of the health care work environment often grinds down this noble ideal. We soon start referring to incoming interns as "not jaded yet."

Conceptual Image of a busy hospital

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: The Pre-Fellowship Hospitalist Year

September 4, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Taking some time as a hospitalist to develop as a physician and an individual may be rewarding for a future cardiologist, according to a Fellow in Training/Early Career Page published Sept. 2 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Innovation conceptual image

Take Part in the ACC California Chapter Tech Symposium

September 4, 2019

Save the Date

The ACC Health Care Innovation Section is partnering with the ACC California Chapter for the Colloquium on Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Innovation and the Future of Cardiology. The symposium takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the UC San Francisco Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco, CA, and will include engaging discussions on the future of digital medicine.

Cardiology Interventions Image

JACC: Case Reports Second Issue Now Live

August 29, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

The second issue of JACC: Case Reports is now online. Accompanied by a summary podcast from Editor-in-Chief Julia Grapsa, MD, PhD, FACC, the issue includes a mini-focus issue on interventional complications and their management, a heart care team/multidisciplinary team live case, clinical vignettes and more.

Cardiology Magazine August 2019

Pregnancy and Motherhood During Interventional Cardiology Training

August 29, 2019

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Khanjan Baxi Shah, MD, MPH, who completed her general and interventional cardiology fellowships at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School this year, provides a first-hand experience of pregnancy and motherhood during her training.

J.D. Serfas, MD

Dear Co-FITS: A Letter From New Editor-in-Chief

August 20, 2019

Letter From the Editor

I hope that the start of this new academic year has been good to you all! I want to send a special welcome to new FITs across the globe as they enter the field of cardiology and the ACC, which will be their professional home for the rest of their careers. My name is J.D. Serfas, MD, and I'm honored and excited to serve for the next year as editor-in-chief of the ACC On-Call for FITs newsletter.

FIT Section Conceptual Image

Narrowing the Gender Gap Through Mentorship: Interview With Srinath Adusumalli, MD, MSc, FACC

August 20, 2019

Feature Interview

The last two decades have shown considerable progress in reducing gender disparities in medicine. However, the under-representation of women in cardiology continues to persist. Women now make up half of U.S. medical school student body, yet only 20 percent of cardiology fellows and 12 percent of board-certified cardiologists are women.

Heart Conceptual Image

Review of Societal Meetings: 29th International Symposium on ACHD

August 20, 2019

Feature Article

Health professionals involved in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care all over the world recently attended the 29th International Symposium on Congenital Heart Disease in the Adult in Stevenson, Washington. This annual symposium is one of the largest gathering of ACHD professionals internationally and is a premier opportunity to learn about the biggest issues and newest advances in ACHD.

FIT Section Conceptual Image

Telehealth Primer For Cardiology Fellows

August 20, 2019

Feature Article

This is the first installment of a two-part series about telehealth and addresses fundamentals. Part two will address best practices when providing telehealth services.

Member Benefits

Let ACC Help You Prepare For the Boards and Beyond!

August 13, 2019

Educational Opportunities

Register for ACC's Cardiovascular Overview and Board Review Course, Sept. 3 – 7 in Chicago, IL, and refresh your knowledge of the entire field of cardiovascular disease with exam-oriented lectures, case-based reviews, online practice questions, as well as interactive case studies and question challenges.

JACC

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Surgical Training in an Era of Change and Innovation

August 13, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

In the face of endovascular transformation, trainees may need to learn to interpret and predict changes in the landscape of cardiology and cardiovascular surgery to set the "right" career course, according to an FIT/Early Career Page published Aug. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

JACC

JACC: Case Reports Call For Papers: CVD in Women

August 1, 2019

Announcements

To address the largely underexplored topic of cardiovascular disease in women, JACC: Case Reports will publish its first special issue on this topic in January 2020.

Dr. Fuster

Learn How to Become a CV Investigator With ACC’s Unique Course

July 26, 2019

Educational Opportunities

Join JACC Editor-in-Chief Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, and a team of expert faculty for ACC’s How to Become a Cardiovascular Investigator, Nov. 1 – 2 in Washington, DC, as they guide you through the challenges of beginning a successful research career.

Douglas L. Mann, MD, FACC

JACC: Basis to Translational Science Increases to Monthly Publication

July 26, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Beginning this August, JACC: Basis to Translational Science publication will increase from six to 12 issues per year. The increased frequency will allow Editor-in-Chief Douglas L. Mann, MD, FACC, and the editorial board to publishing even more research with the potential to translate into new therapies for patients affected by cardiovascular disease.

Conceptual Image; Woman With Chest Pain

JACC: Case Reports Call For Papers: CVD in Women

July 26, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

The detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease and applications of medical and device therapies have been limited, and there are significant differences in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors and outcomes in women, as well as in clinical presentations that may be unique to women.

Conceptual Image; Runners; Track Race

FIT Perspectives: ACC’s Care of the Athletic Heart 2019

July 26, 2019

Educational Opportunities

Sports cardiology experts from around the world convened at ACC's Care of the Athletic Heart course last month to provide contemporary care and practice management strategies needed to care for patient athletes.

Cardiology Magazine; July 2019

Check Out the July Issue of Cardiology; Your Member Magazine

July 23, 2019

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Cardiology is the ACC's flagship member magazine — your member magazine — providing cardiovascular professionals with a comprehensive source for clinical and professional news. Find links to all of the July issue's articles and share on social media!

Conceptual image; Medical Professionals

What it Means to be a Woman in Cardiology: Notes From the Southeast WIC Conference

July 16, 2019

In early April, female cardiology Fellows in Training (FITs) and mentors met for an eventful weekend at the annual ACC Southeast Regional Women in Cardiology (WIC) Conference in Fairhope, AL. The charming, quaint town fostered the perfect environment for attendees to bond over common experiences at work and in life.

Conceptual image; Medical Professionals

Cardiology Fellowship: How Can You Improve Your Resume?

July 16, 2019

The journey from medical school to joining an internal medicine residency program is challenging. However, the journey does not stop there, and many residents will choose to pursue subspecialty training. This poses the question: how can a medicine resident improve his or her resume to become a stronger candidate for cardiology fellowship?

Martin B. Leon, MD, FACC

Interview With Martin B. Leon, MD, FACC

July 16, 2019

Martin B. Leon, MD, FACC, director of the cardiac catheterization laboratories at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, discusses his early career days and offers advice for interventional fellows in this informative interview.

Conceptual image; Mortgage

Options to Structure Your Home Mortgage

July 16, 2019

We are in home buying season, with the majority of purchases occurring during the spring and summer. We have previously discussed home buying considerations for new physicians with detailed important factors to consider throughout the home buying process. This article will focus on the financing side of becoming a homeowner.

ACC's TreatHF app

ACC App Review: TreatHF App

July 16, 2019

Fabio V. Lima, MD, MPH, reviews ACC's TreatHF app, which was developed by a multidisciplinary work group part of ACC's Succeed in Managing Heart Failure Initiative.

JACC Cover

Lessons For the CV Physician When Faced With Patient Death

July 3, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Confronting a patient's death by contacting family members may be an important step toward healthy coping and avoiding burnout, according to an FIT/Early Career Page publish July 1 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

JACC

Submit Your Next Manuscript to JACC: CardioOncology

June 27, 2019

Announcements

For researchers examining the complex and growing field of cardio-oncology, JACC: CardioOncology offers an excellent opportunity to publish in the highly read, highly ranked JACC Journals family.

JACC

Perspective: Providers Need to Consider Their Own Mental Health

June 20, 2019

Highlights From JACC

In a "Voice of Cardiology" viewpoint article in the inaugural issue of JACC: Case Reports, Hatem Soliman Aboumarie, MS, writes that over the last several decades as health care has evolved into more of a business model, it still remains that "few other professions bear such responsibility, accountability and daily stresses."

JACC

Viewpoint From JACC: Case Reports Editor-in-Chief: My Story, Your Voices

June 20, 2019

Highlights From JACC

In a "Voice of Cardiology" viewpoint article in the inaugural issue of JACC: Case Reports, Editor-in-Chief Julia Grapsa, MD, PhD, FACC, writes about the importance of this journal as a way to embrace fellows-in-training and early career cardiologists, and to build bridges between junior and senior cardiologists through clinical cases.

Renelle George, MD

The Importance of Patient Communication

June 19, 2019

Feature Article

While covering the inpatient service a few weekends ago, a nurse called to inform me that a patient's mother wanted to talk before her daughter was discharged. When I asked if there was a specific question or concern, she replied, "Mom doesn't understand what happened in the procedure yesterday and she wants someone to explain it to her."

FIT Thumbnail Image

CVD Prevention: Perspective For FITs

June 19, 2019

Feature Article

The incremental understanding of cardiovascular disease over the past three decades has led to advances in its risk factor modifications and treatment strategies. Therefore, newer guidelines on prevention and treatment measures related to lipids, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, thrombosis and vascular diseases have exponentially increased.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Teaching Tomorrow's Teachers

June 11, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

As a result of ACC's Teaching Tomorrow's Teachers (3T) program, future Fellows in Training (FIT) and early career teachers may be more prepared to approach the future of medical education, according to an FIT/Early Career Page publish June 3 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiology Magazine, May 2019

An FIT Experience: LMCA Interventions

May 23, 2019

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

In a recent Cardiology article, Lina Ya'qoub, MD, cardiovascular disease fellow at Ochsner-Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA, describes her experience with left main coronary artery (LMCA) PCI.

ACC Webinar

Recorded Webinar: How to Write a Case Report

May 23, 2019

Featured Webinar

JACC: Case Reports Editor-in-Chief Julia Grapsa, MD, PhD, FACC, and Associate Editor Mary Norine Walsh, MD, MACC, have recorded an informative webinar on how clinicians and members of the care team can develop a high-quality case report submission.

Cardiology Magazine, May 2019

Leading Through Example: Fitness For Heart Health

May 23, 2019

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

As we mark National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Cardiology magazine featured photos of activities that members enjoy in their pursuit of being fit.

ACC Webinar

Upcoming Webinar: Career Paths After CV Fellowship

May 16, 2019

Featured Webinar

The structure of most cardiology fellowships across the country is deliberately well-organized, not always allowing for training to be modulated according to a fellow's career goals.

Innovation, Creative Thinking, Progress, Diversity; Conceptual Image

A Brief Manual For Female Entrepreneurs

May 14, 2019   |   Andriana Nikolova, MD

Feature Article

The exciting part about being medical professionals is the versatility of career paths we have in front of us. Entrepreneurship is an example of one such choice that can be independent with or coexistent with our medical practice.

Career Options; Decisions; Conceptual Image

HF Fellowship and the Job Search

May 14, 2019   |   Kevin Shah, MD, FACC

Feature Article

The process of seeking out your first job after seven years of post-graduate training is not nearly as straightforward as other career decisions up until this point. Unlike matching into training programs, the job search does not seal your fate with a nonnegotiable email directing you where to train. The selection of the best fit job is more about the interview "with yourself" than others. Determining your values and priorities for your first position out of training is the most critical aspect of securing a position that aligns with your early career goals – how to determine these may not be as easy as it seems. Below are five repeated pieces of advice I have learned along the way.

Salesperson; Conceptual Image

The Path Less Traveled: Industry, Innovation and Everything in Between

May 14, 2019   |   Edward Chu

Feature Article

At the age of 21, fresh out of college with a degree in biomedical engineering, I found myself working in the health care industry as a representative of the largest medical device company in the world. Like Jamie Randall from Love & Other Drugs, I was trained to pitch my company's products to electrophysiologists over brief conversations at the scrub sink and during short walks between patient rooms.

Chapters

Challenge Your Knowledge at ACC's CV Board Course

May 2, 2019

Educational Opportunities

Register for ACC's Cardiovascular Overview and Board Review for Certification and Recertification course, Sept. 3 – 7 in Chicago, IL, and receive a comprehensive review in cardiovascular disease to ensure you're ready for the Cardiovascular Boards.

Chapters

Get Questions Answered and Find a Mentor in ACC's New Member Hub

April 4, 2019

Announcements

Unlock the power of your ACC network with ACC Member Hub – designed to help you connect, collaborate and create! Get your career questions answered, learn from those who have gone before and connect with those who understand what you are going through now.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

JACC FIT/Early Career Page on Cardiac Critical Care: Training Pathways and Transition to Early Career

April 4, 2019

Highlights From JACC

Since cardiac critical care is a specialized clinical practice that is rapidly developing within cardiovascular medicine, early career cardiac intensivists may need evaluate how their career aspirations integrate with the various models for delivery of care, according to a Fellow in Training (FITs)/Early Career Page publish April 1 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Nehal N. Mehta, MD, MSCE, FACC

Interview With Nehal N. Mehta, MD, MSCE: From Fellow to Physician-Scientist

March 26, 2019   |   Nehal N. Mehta, MD ;  Amit Dey, MD

Feature Interview

Nehal N. Mehta, MD, MSCE, FACC, was the first recipient of the Lasker Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He joined the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to use the NIH Clinical Center and begin a comprehensive cardio metabolic phenotypic program. Mehta also initiated the first large prospective cohort study of psoriasis to better define cardiovascular disease and metabolic pathways modulated in varying states of inflammation that may lead to a better understanding of the development of cardio metabolic diseases. In this feature interview, conducted by Amit Dey, MD, Mehta shares advice on pursuing a research career as a young investigator.

Chapters

Public Service Loan Forgiveness – The Finer Details

March 26, 2019

Feature Article

Here we are, roughly 18 months past October 2017, when your fellow borrowers were first able to apply to have their student loans forgiven through public service loan forgiveness (PSLF).

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Training Cardiology Fellows in Focused Cardiac Ultrasound

March 7, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

As use of focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) becomes an important diagnostic tool in the cardiology inpatient and outpatient settings, it may be imperative that cardiology fellowship programs and key stakeholders enhance training standards and develop a FoCUS curriculum tailored to Fellows in Training (FITs), according to an FIT/Early Career column published March 4 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Chapters

Editors-in-Chief Named For Two New JACC Journals

March 6, 2019

Announcements

Julia Grapsa, MD, PhD, FACC, and Bonnie Ky, MD, FACC, have been named Editors-in-Chief of the two newest JACC Journals – JACC: Case Reports and JACC: CardioOncology – launching in June and September, respectively.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

JACC FIT/Early Career Page: Rethinking the Modern Cardiology Morbidity and Mortality Conference

February 21, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Since the medical decisions of Fellows in Training (FITs) and Early Career cardiologists have important, often acute ramifications – which directly impact patient safety, morbidity and mortality – cardiology-specific morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences may be of critical importance, according to an FIT/Early Career column published Feb. 18 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

ACC.19 Update

Don’t Miss World-Renowned Thought Leaders at ACC.19

February 20, 2019

ACC20WCC

ACC.19 is more than a meeting, it's an experience you won't want to miss! Immediately following the highly-anticipated Apple Heart Study, the first Late-Breaking Clinical Trial, don't miss an all new session – Digital Disruption at our Doorstep – Implications for Clinicians and Patients – focused on disruptive innovation in health care, its intersection with daily practice, and implications for patients.

Makoto Mori, BS

Training in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

February 19, 2019   |   Makoto Mori, MD

Feature Article

Electronic health records (EHR), along with the rapid refinement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, are increasingly challenging society to redefine the role of physicians.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Divorce Among Physicians and Medical Trainees

January 31, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

While quality of marriage has been found to correlate with physician wellbeing at all stages of career, peer-reviewed medical literature may lack guidance for coping when marriage ends, according to an FIT/Early Career column publish Jan. 28 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Chapters

Five-Year Anniversary of the JACC FIT and Early Career Page: Reflections on a Journey

January 17, 2019

Feature Article

As the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) celebrates its five-year anniversary of the Fellows in Training (FIT)/Early Career column, Shashank S. Sinha, MD, et al., reflect on the success of important topics that are specifically germane to the FIT and early career cardiologist community and demographic.

Chapters

Study Finds Unique Barriers For Women in Interventional Cardiology

January 17, 2019

JACC Family of Journals

Directly addressing the unique barriers cited by women in interventional cardiology may provide the most impact in reducing gender imbalances in the field, according to a study published Jan. 16 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Nosheen Reza, MD

Changing the Culture For Physician-Mothers

January 15, 2019

Feature Article

For cardiology Fellows in Training (FITs), learning about the governing bodies that regulate training in cardiovascular disease can taste like just another serving of alphabet soup.

Chapters

How Can FITs Get Involved in Health Care Advocacy?

January 15, 2019

Feature Article

ACC's 2018 Legislative Conference was an informative and educational experience for Fellow in Training (FIT) attendees. Over the course of the conference, we were introduced to the idea of health care advocacy, examined the issues affecting the geographic regions that we represent, and brainstormed ideas to promote and improve health care policy.

Chapters

Review of the ACC Guideline Clinical App

January 15, 2019

Feature Article

The purpose of the ACC Guideline Clinical App is to function as a centralized resource for clinicians to access a diverse collection of guideline data and tools. The guideline data provides versatile features with users being able to take notes, insert bookmarks and export to email-friendly PDFs.

Chapters

Getting Involved With the ACC as an FIT: Why and How?

January 10, 2019

Announcements

Looking for a way to connect with leaders in cardiovascular medicine and build leadership experience of your own? Getting involved in the ACC is the fastest way to jump-start your career, make connections and gain a wide variety of skills you can use as you grow as a cardiovascular professional.

Konstantinos Stathogiannis, MD, PhD

Insights From Scientific Annual Meetings

December 18, 2018

Feature Article

For many years, scientific annual meetings have provided attendees with the opportunity to experience first-hand the hottest late-breaking science, focused research presentations and educational programming, as well as the ability to network with colleagues from around the world.

Rahul Bhardwaj, MD

Interview With Rahul Bhardwaj, MD

December 18, 2018

Feature Interview

This month's ACC On-Call For FITs Newsletter features an interview with Rahul Bhardwaj, MD, who served as chief fellow during his general cardiology fellowship at UC-Irvine and electrophysiology (EP) fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Renelle George, MD

When Patients Become Family

December 18, 2018

Feature Article

Developing lifelong relationships with families is one of the joys of a career in pediatric cardiology – especially when it comes to patients with complex congenital heart disease who require a lifetime of interventions and follow-up.

Chapters

Disrupting Fellow Education Through Group Texting

December 18, 2018

Feature Article

As most medical trainees struggle with having limited time, group social media platforms may help enrich an emerging framework for fellowship education and lifelong learning, according to an FIT/Early Career column published Dec. 17 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

ACC.19 Update

Submit Your Ideas For the ACC.19 Innovation Challenge

December 17, 2018

ACC20WCC

Returning for its second year at the Future Hub – taking place during ACC.19, March 16-18, 2019 in New Orleans, LA – the ACC will partner with AngelMD to host the ACC.19 Innovation Challenge.

Chapters

Free CME/MOC Credit: Cardiac Rehab Webinar Series

December 17, 2018

Featured Webinar

The ACC Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Section and Cardiac Rehabilitation Work Group created a series of free webinars aimed at optimizing care for cardiac rehab patients.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Time to Get Going on Involving FITs in Clinical Trials

November 27, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

Engaging more Fellows in Training (FITs) in clinical trials may allow them to acquire new technical skills related to running a clinical trial, as well as increased access to mentorship and networking opportunities beyond their respective institutions, according to an FIT/Early Career column published Nov. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Chapters

"What Do You Want Your Life to Look Like 10 Years From Now?"

November 27, 2018

It all started when my mentor and I met at the beginning of my second year of cardiology fellowship – right after I emerged from the haze of my first-year call schedule – and asked, “What do you want your life to look like 10 years from now? Think about it, talk it over with your husband and let’s figure out how I can help you get there.”

Member Section Conceptual Image

How Do I Get The Skills? Competency-Based Training in Critical Care Cardiology

November 27, 2018

In recent years, discussion regarding the need for training in cardiac critical care has advanced significantly. There are multiple training programs developing tracks in critical care, often involving a dedicated critical care training year in the medical critical care department, which culminates in critical care board eligibility. 

Andrew P. Miller, MD, FACC

ACC's Next Strategic Plan and Its Implications For FITs

November 20, 2018

Feature Interview

This month's ACC On-Call For FITs Newsletter features an interview with Andrew P. Miller, MD, FACC, secretary and chair of the ACC Board of Governors and past-president of the ACC Alabama Chapter.

Chapters

Cross-Atlantic Bridge Building

November 20, 2018

Feature Article

To frame the background of this article, I want to first share some words about myself. I was raised in Germany and completed medical school in Dusseldorf, Germany, before relocating to the U.S. for residency and cardiology fellowship.

Chapters

The Global Cardiologist: The Challenges of Medical Migration

November 20, 2018

Feature Article

As we draw closer to finishing cardiology training and moving into independent practice, we must decide where we wish to lay down roots and practice our craft. Throughout medical training, most young cardiologists lead a nomad life, traveling from one center of excellence to the next.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Building Bridges in Cardiology and Radiology

November 19, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

As health care moves away from volume-based imaging to integration and value-based imaging, a collaborative approach unbound by subspecialization from the Fellows in Training (FIT) and early career level may be transformative for the medical field, according to an FIT/Early Career column published November 12 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiology Interventions Sept/Oct 2018

Latest Issue of Cardiology: Interventions Now Live

November 16, 2018

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

Don't miss FIT perspectives on the top takeaways from TCT 2018 and a closer look at the future of diagnosing ischemic heart disease with CCTA in the latest issue of Cardiology: Interventions.

Deadline Conceptual Image

Showcase Your QI Results at ACC's CV Summit

November 1, 2018

Upcoming Event

The deadline to submit abstracts for ACC's Cardiovascular Summit, taking place Feb. 14 - 16 in Orlando, FL, is Monday, Nov. 12. Don't miss the opportunity to showcase how your hospital or practice has found ways to advance care delivery, reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, implement science at the bedside, and thrive in the new value-based care environment. Abstracts from across the clinical care team are welcome.

Mahmoud Abdelghany, MD

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

November 1, 2018   |   Mahmoud Abdelghany, MD, FACC

Member Profile

Greetings to all my co-fellows. I am Mahmoud Abdelghany, MD, a peripheral vascular interventional fellow at Yale University School of Medicine and editor of ACC's Peripheral Vascular Disease Section. I am delighted to serve in this position and hope I can discuss throughout this year the purpose and importance of vascular medicine and peripheral vascular interventional training.

Member Section Conceptual Image

How Much Training is Enough?

November 1, 2018   |   Ioanna Katsa, MD

Feature Article

Interventional cardiology has been a rapidly expanding field over the last few years, incorporating more procedures leading to longer training requirements. During general cardiology fellowship, fellows interested in interventional cardiology are facing the challenge of deciding which subspecialty route to follow after coronary training.

Member Section Conceptual Image

How Do You Know You Want to be a Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

November 1, 2018   |   Makoto Mori, MD

Feature Article

As an integrated cardiothoracic surgery intern at the time, my general surgery chief resident asked me, "How did you know so early on that you wanted to do cardiothoracic surgery?" To her, who decided on her subspecialty fellowship after seeing the breadth of surgical subspecialties through years of general surgery training, a medical student deciding on an integrated pathway to a subspecialty seemed too early and uninformed.

Member Section Conceptual Image

FIT Perspective: Digitalization of Health Care

November 1, 2018   |   Samah Alkharji, MD

Feature Article

The ongoing development of health care delivery and influx of cutting edge technology makes this an exciting time for cardiology trainees. The incorporation of digital health adds another dimension to patient care and the training of future cardiologists. Current Fellows in Training (FITs) use several digital health care outlets throughout their training.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

The Essential Role of Leadership Development

October 23, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

In order to deliver high-quality care at the patient level, it may be essential for cardiovascular professionals to have the requisite tools and experiences to lead at a team- or systems-based level, according to a Fellows in Training (FITs)/Early Career column published Oct. 22 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Groundbreaking JACC Series Examines Top Eight CV Risk Factors and How to Prevent Them

October 19, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

An innovative eight-part Cardiovascular Health Promotion Series published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) provides health care professionals with an in-depth examination of the eight risk factors and behaviors that contribute most to cardiovascular disease development.

Gurukripa N. Kowlgi, MBBS

FIT Member Spotlight | Gurukripa N. Kowlgi, MBBS

October 12, 2018   |   Sena Kilic, MD, FACC

Feature Interview

Each month, the ACC On-Call For FITs Newsletter highlights the achievements of one FIT. The Section would like to recognize Gurukripa N. Kowlgi, MBBS, cardiology FIT at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. In this interview, conducted by Sena Kilic, MD, editor-in-chief of the ACC On-Call For FITs Newsletter, Kowlgi describes his involvement with the ACC, plans after fellowship, interests outside of cardiology and advice for other FITs.

FIT Feature Image

App Review | ACC's ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus App

October 12, 2018   |   Hawkins Gay, MD

App Review

Purpose: The purpose of the ACC ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus App is to deliver the clinician or provider with an individualized, scientifically-derived estimate of the patient's 10-year risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as well as their overall lifetime risk of ASCVD. The app is meant to serve as a starting point for shared decision-making discussions and can help guide the development of a custom intervention plan.

Cardiology Magazine, Sept. 2018

Fellows in Training Section | The September Issue of Cardiology, YOUR Member Magazine, is Live! Read it All Online!

September 21, 2018

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

The September 2018 issue of Cardiology, YOUR member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Chapters

Review: ACC's ManageAnticoag App

September 19, 2018   |   Sena Kilic, MD, FACC

App Review

Purpose: The purpose of ACC's ManageAnticoag App is to assist the provider in planning periprocedural anticoagulation, manage an acute bleed and develop a restart approach for patients in whom anticoagulation has been or is planning to be interrupted in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

ABIM/ACC Competency-Based Education Pilot in Internal Medicine-Cardiology

September 17, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

The American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIMs) competency-based pilot in internal-medicine cardiology may offer an opportunity for a paradigm shift in graduate medical education training of future cardiovascular specialists, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published Sept. 10 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

ACC.19 Update

ACC Members, ACC.19 Registration is Now Open!

September 12, 2018

ACC20WCC

ACC.19 registration is NOW OPEN exclusively for ACC members. Nonmember registration will open Wednesday, Sept. 26. Register early for the lowest rates and best selection of hotel rooms!

ACC Member Section Thumbnail Image

JACC CV Health Promotion Series Address Top 8 Risk Factors

September 7, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

A series of eight state-of-the-art reviews is now publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). One review is publishing each week, examining the top risk factors affecting the cardiovascular health of patients: diet, tobacco, lipid control/cholesterol, blood pressure, psychological health, weight, physical activity and blood sugar.

Tina Varghese, MD

Feature | Why I Chose Preventive Cardiology

August 23, 2018

Feature Article

On Valentine’s Day 1994, I was 5 years old and carefully crafting a card for my grandparents in art class. I remember gluing a white lace heart onto a red sheet of construction paper, excited to share my masterpiece. My grandfather picked me up from the bus stop that afternoon. Once home, he held his chest and reported pain. He tragically died in route to the hospital from a massive myocardial infarction at the age of 61. While I cannot recall if my grandfather’s early death was the impetus for my longstanding aspiration to become a cardiologist, it undoubtedly influenced my interest in preventive cardiology.

Twitter

Save the Date: Join ACC’s Next Twitter Journal Club

August 18, 2018

Save the Date

Save the date for the next ACC Twitter Journal Club on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 3 - 4 p.m. ET! ACC Journal Club faculty members Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC, and John Ryan, MD, FACC. Itchhaporia AND Ryan will be joined by Annabelle Volgman, MD, FACC, ACC Cardiovascular Disease in Women committee member; Andrew Freeman, MD, FACC, ACC Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Section council member; and Dave Dixon, PharmD, FACC, ACC Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Disorder sub-section member, to discuss some of the hottest topics from ESC Congress 2018 in Munich.

Cardiology Magazine August 2018

Fellows in Training Section | The August Issue of Cardiology, YOUR Member Magazine, is Live! Read it All Online!

August 16, 2018

Cardiology Magazine Highlights

The August 2018 issue of Cardiology, YOUR member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Chapters

What FITs Must Know About ACC's APM Framework

August 15, 2018   |   Sena Kilic, MD, FACC

Advocacy at the ACC

The practice of medicine is shifting toward value-based care, making it crucial that physicians play an active role in developing and participating in payments models that are flexible, innovative and outcome-focused.

Pacemaker

Electrophysiology Without Borders

August 7, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

Although complications can occur, Fellows in Training (FITs) and Early Career cardiologists may benefit from involving themselves in the subfield of “humanitarian electrophysiology” at home and abroad, according to an FIT/Early Career column published July 30 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Geoffrey Rubin, MD, describes his experiences training abroad and notes that it is eye-opening to leave the comfort zone and daily routines of a resource-laden U.S. medical center, especially for training physicians. MORE...

ACC Member Section Image

JACC Now Offers European CME Credit

July 23, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

Clinicians can now earn European Continuing Medical Education (ECME) credits by completing online activities for select Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) articles. The Journal is offering two ECME credits per month upon successful completion of related self-assessment questions for each article.

Member Section Update Information Graphic

Practice Made Perfect Podcast: Transforming Care in a Value Environment

July 23, 2018

Featured Podcast

In the latest Practice Made Perfect podcast episode, Cathleen Biga, MSN, RN, provides an overview of the current value environment of patient care and how to transition from fee-for-service to an alternative payment model, with a focus on quality payment programs.

Jordan D. Awerbach, MD, MPH

Training in ACHD: An Interview With Thomas M. Bashore, MD, FACC

July 18, 2018   |   Jordan Awerbach, MD, FACC ;  Thomas M. Bashore, MD, FACC

Jordan D. Awerbach, MD, MPH interviews Thomas M. Bashore, MD, FACC, who is a professor of medicine and senior vice chief of the Division of Cardiology at Duke University Medical Center. Bashore developed the Valvular Heart Disease and Adult Congenital Heart Disease programs at Duke while also showing an unparalleled commitment to teaching and mentoring Fellows in Training (FITs). Bashore previously served as the cardiology fellowship program director for 12 years and won the annual cardiology fellow teaching award so many times that it was eventually renamed the Thomas M. Bashore Annual Cardiology Fellow Award For Faculty Teaching in his honor.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Future of Quantitative Echocardiography For Trainees

July 17, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

By embracing change and evolution in design, echocardiography could lead diagnostic imaging and drive innovation, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published July 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Attending ESC Congress? Meet With the JACC Journals Editors-in-Chief

July 13, 2018

Save the Date

The JACC Journals editorial board is hosting their annual open board meeting and reception during ESC Congress to meet and engage with aspiring and established researchers and JACC Journals reviewers. All individuals interested in learning more about the JACC family of journals are invited to attend.

Cardiology Magazine Stock Image

Opioid Epidemic and Heart Transplantation: A Trainee's View

July 9, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

All health care professionals — regardless of specialty or degree — may need to more actively acknowledge the growing opioid epidemic and its impact on organ donation, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published July 2 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Webinars

Message From Sena Kilic, MD

June 20, 2018   |   Sena Kilic, MD, FACC

Announcements

I am excited to serve as the new editor-in-chief for the ACC On-Call For FITs monthly newsletter. By way of introduction, I am currently chief cardiology fellow at Brown University in Providence, RI. I joined the ACC in 2014 as a medical resident and have been an active member ever since, beginning at my state chapter and expanding my engagement to the national level with a seat at the ACC FIT Section Leadership Council.

Cardiology; Jan. 2017

Cardio-Oncology For GenNext: A Missing Piece of the Training Puzzle

June 18, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

Providing the next generation of Fellows in Training (FITs) with knowledge and training in cardio-oncology may be necessary to address challenges in improving the quality of life and care of cancer patients, according to an FIT/Early Career column published June 18 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Cardiology; Jan. 2017

The Heart Team: A Powerful Paradigm For Future Training of CV Surgeons

June 15, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

A paradigm shift in cardiothoracic surgery training known as the "heart team" may have created an integrated educational approach between heart surgery and cardiology, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published June 4 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Chapters

Apply For the 2019 Research and Career Development Awards

June 14, 2018

Educational Opportunities

The ACC is proud to support the next generation of cardiovascular research legends. Submissions are now being accepted for the 2019 Research & Career Development Awards, which help to fund six FIT and Early Career researchers with $70k in funding to pursue a year of research.

Cardiology; Jan. 2017

Tell Your Library You Are Looking For Cardiology Answers

June 11, 2018

Through an institutional-level JACC Journals subscription, your entire organization can access the latest clinical findings, practice-changing science, visual abstracts and expert commentary uniquely provided by the family of JACC Journals.

Cardiology Magazine Graphic

Upcoming Webinar: Get Expert Advice on Publishing in JACC Journals With Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC

May 29, 2018

Save the Date

Join Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), June 13 at 9 a.m. ET, for a webinar on techniques and strategies for publishing in high-impact journals. Fuster will share his expertise in working with researchers and authors throughout the research publishing cycle, how to develop papers for premium publications and how publishing in JACC provides the opportunity to broadly disseminate findings.

Webinars

New Podcast Series Highlights Career and Leadership Development

May 17, 2018

Featured Podcast

The second episode in a new podcast series developed by ACC President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, Practice Made Perfect, is now live. In this episode, Valentine and Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC, discuss finding a job after fellowship.

Webinars

Data Sharing in Cardiology: A Trainee’s Perspective

May 4, 2018

JACC Family of Journals

Secondary use of shared data may be an important adjunctive resource for Fellow in Training and Early Career investigators to complement primary data generation, as they are believed to be at the forefront of shared data consumption, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published April 30 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Chapters

Looking Through the Global STEMI Prism

April 18, 2018

April 18, 2018 | Paul W. Armstrong, MD, FACC; Juan Simon Rico-Mesa, MD; Jianqiang Li, MD; Konstantinos Stathogiannis, MD, PhD
International

The challenges in delivering high quality ST-elevation myocardial infarction care is universal, and the following article provides stories from three individuals who have experienced STEMI in various parts of the world.

Chapters

Reflections From an International CMR Meeting

April 18, 2018   |   Gaurav Gulsin, MB ChB

ACC Chapters

In February 2018, the international cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) community converged in Barcelona for CMR 2018, a joint EuroCMR/Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) meeting organized by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Chapters

The Current State of ACHD Care and Training

April 13, 2018

April 13, 2018 | Jordan Awerbach, MD 
Education

Most children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the U.S. today are expected to survive into adulthood. As patient outcomes became more successful over time, the demographics shifted such that adults with CHD began to outnumber pediatric patients.

Chapters

Women and Peripheral Arterial Disease

April 13, 2018

April 13, 2018 | Erica Flores, MD
Education

The ACC, along with the rest of the nation, recently recognized women’s heart disease throughout the entire month February. Therefore, it is appropriate to focus on where we are today with women and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Webinars

Two Newest JACC Journals Now on PubMed, PubMed Central

April 13, 2018

JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology has been accepted for full indexing in PubMed, a free, online archive powered by the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM). The database comprises more than 28 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals and online books.

Member Benefits

Addressing Psychological Comorbidities in Cardiology Training

April 5, 2018

Incorporating a psychosocial perspective into cardiology practice may be necessary for physicians to recognize and understand mental health effects of illness in patients, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published April 2 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Message From Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, MD MSc

March 28, 2018

March 28, 2018 | Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, MD MSc

Happy Spring! We hope you had the chance to attend some of the FIT sessions at ACC.18 earlier this month, or read about them on Twitter and Facebook.

Akl C. Fahed, MD, MPH

Balancing Success and Well-Being: A Role For Professional Coaching

March 28, 2018

March 28, 2018 | Akl C. Fahed, MD, MPH
Career Development

Shortly after matching in cardiology, FITs feel pressed to make several career choices. From subspecialty decision to practice type, there is a struggle to find a research or clinical niche. In medical school and residency, we followed defined patterns of success.

Chapters

FIT Boot Camp in Mexico City

March 28, 2018

March 28, 2018 | Antonio Jordan-Rios, MD
International

Earlier this month, the Cardiovascular Fellows Boot Camp took place in Mexico City, becoming the very first of its kind in Mexico.

Chapters

Artificial Intelligence For FITs

March 28, 2018

March 28, 2018 | Ahmad Masri, MD
Education

The introduction of electronic medical record systems and digital archiving of medical images has revolutionized health care delivery and led to the daily accumulation of terabytes of data.

Member Benefits

The Perfect ECMO Candidate

March 19, 2018

Although trainees become technically proficient at initiating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and grow accustomed to the pressure of cannulating patients in unstable scenarios, there is still much to learn when it comes to the decision-making progress, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published March 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Join Us

Palliative Care Education in Cardiology

March 19, 2018

Despite cardiologists’ widespread interest in developing palliative care skills, additional training may be needed to develop expertise in this arena, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published March 19 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Join Us

PCSK9 Competitive Grant Program

March 19, 2018

The PCSK9 Competitive Grant Program, an independently-reviewed competitive grant program supported by Amgen, is accepting proposals for novel research aimed at advancing the understanding of PCSK9 and atherosclerosis.

Member Benefits

Transcatheter Heart Valve Handbook: A Surgeons and Interventional Council Review

March 19, 2018

ACC’s Surgeons and Interventional Member Section Councils have created a transcatheter heart valve handbook to provide a single source of introductory information on aortic, mitral and pulmonary transcatheter valve technology, intended for residents and Fellows in Training in cardiovascular medicine and cardiothoracic surgery. 

Edinrin Obasare, MD

Career Development: Whose Company Do You Belong To?

March 5, 2018

February 26, 2018 | Edinrin Rae Obasare, MD
Career Development

Looking back through history, some people were traditionally born into a certain vocation. For instance, one may have been a scholar, peasant, blacksmith, farmer, merchant, trader or artisan. Then again, it may have been hard to identify the trade of extraordinary professionals like Michelangelo, Mozart and Napoleon. Who did they work for? What was their job description? 

Chapters

Conversations With Cardiologists: Audrey Marshall, MD

March 5, 2018

January 17, 2017 | Audrey Marshall, MD
Education

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insight on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs). In this interview, Audrey Marshall, MD, chief of pediatric cardiology and director of pediatric cardiac catheterization at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA, shares her advice with ACC FITs.

Chapters

A Forgotten Cath Lab Danger: Needle Sticks

March 5, 2018

February 26, 2018 | Charles Beale, MD
Education

It was a typical fall day when a man in his 60s was brought to the cath lab for a cardiac arrest with refractory shock, where he received a percutaneous coronary intervention to the proximal right coronary artery. Perhaps I was overly confident as I walked to the patient’s bedside to pull a venous sheath, but after a simple request, I also removed an interosseous needle. This extraordinarily sharp needle clearly had fresh blood on the tip, and as I carelessly turned to dispose of it in the sharps container, I pricked my finger. While watching the single teardrop of my own blood seep through my glove, my initial response was typical of any interventional fellow – complete and utter despair.

Chapters

Interview with Sean Van Diepen, MD, MSc

March 5, 2018

February 26, 2018 | Ajar Kochar, MD
Education

Sean Van Diepen, MD, MSc, is an academic cardiologist-intensivist. He is also an assistant professor of critical care medicine in the Department of Critical Care and is cross-appointed to the Division of Cardiology at the University of Alberta Director of Cardiology in Alberta, Canada. Below is an interview conducted by Ajar Kochar, MD, Fellow in Training (FIT) at Duke University in Durham, NC.

Chapters

Research Year in Fellowship: Are We Getting a Sufficient Return on Investment?

March 5, 2018

February 26, 2018 | Rohan Khera, MD
Career Development

As much as a third of fellowship training in cardiology is represented by time that can be dedicated to research, often identified as a research year. However, unlike most medical training up to this point that has an inherent structure and tangible goals, the research year in fellowship represents a new period in training.

Chapters

Training in the Era of Machines by Bethany Doran

March 5, 2018

February 26, 2018 | Bethany Doran, MD
Education

The medical industry is at a crossroads. A recent New York Times article highlighting emerging partnerships between hospitals, such as the Cleveland Clinic with Oscar Health and Aetna with CVS, signals a period of increased corporate collaboration. In addition, partnerships between the medical field and technology giants such as Amazon, Google’s Verily Health and IBM Watson suggest new potential for technologic innovation and acceleration of data driven research.

Meetings

2018 Careers in Heart Failure & Transplant Symposium

February 28, 2018

Please join us for this year's Careers in Heart Failure & Transplant Symposium during ACC.18. The event will take place on Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, Regency Ballroom Q at 4:30pm-6:00pm.

Katie Salciccioli

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

February 26, 2018

BSE Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan; MD, University of Michigan; Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Akl C. Fahed, MD, MPH

Building a “T-Shaped” Career

February 21, 2018

February 21, 2018 | Akl C. Fahed, MD, MPH
Career Development

The best advice that I have received in recent years was from Marc S. Sabatine, MD, MPH, FACC, chairman of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study Group, after rotating with him in the coronary care unit. He said, "Akl, you can be good at two things, but you can only be famous for one, so you need to pick!"

Chapters

Why I Joined ACCPAC – And Why You Should Too

February 21, 2018

February 21, 2018
Chapter Engagement

ACC's Advocacy Program offers a variety of opportunities for members to engage in ACC's policy priorities. The annual Legislative Conference, held in Washington, DC, facilitates meetings between ACC member attendees and their Congressional representatives.

ACC.18 – What Not to Miss

February 21, 2018

February 21, 2018 | Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, MD MSc
Education

We are less than a month away from ACC.18 and we couldn't be more excited about all the sessions geared specifically for FITs!

Join Us

Should There be a Hybrid Training Model For SHD?

February 13, 2018

Adopting a hybrid attending-fellow-in-training (AFIT) training model may offer a solution to funding an additional year of training for structural heart disease (SHD) trainees, while also allowing them to act as part-time interventional cardiology attendings, according to a Fellows in Training/Early Career column published Feb. 12 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

ACC/AHA Greater Boston Fellows' Society Hosts Successful Career Night

January 17, 2018

January 17, 2017 | Morgan S. Kellogg, MD & Saket R. Sanghai, MD
Career Development

On the evening of Oct. 11, 2017, over 75 cardiology fellows from 11 programs in the greater Boston area gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Boston's Back Bay to discuss tips and tricks for crafting a successful career after fellowship.

Interview With Holger Thiele, MD

December 13, 2017

December 13, 2017 | Holger Thiele, MD
Education

Holger Thiele, MD, director of cardiology at Leipzig University Hospital in Leipzig, Germany, is the primary investigator for the both the IABP SHOCK II and CULPRIT-SHOCK trials.

Author headshot

Interview With Thomas M. Munger, MD, FACC

December 13, 2017

December 13, 2017 | Thomas M. Munger, MD, FACC
Education

In an interview conducted by Vaibhav R. Vaidya, MBBS, Fellow in Training (FIT) at Mayo Clinic, Thomas M. Munger, MD, FACC, chair of Heart Rhythm Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at Mayo Clinic, discusses the challenges and joys of administration, and gives advice to budding cardiac electrophysiologists.

Chapters

Academic Cardiology in the UK

December 13, 2017

December 13, 2017 | Gaurav S. Gulsin, BSc, MBChB, MRCP
International

An abundance of research opportunities are available to cardiology FITs seeking to engage in postgraduate research in the U.K. Once enrolled into a cardiology specialty training program, FITs in the U.K. are expected to gain a postgraduate research-based PhD or MD prior to completion of residency.

Chapters

Procedural Boot Camps For Cardiology FITs: Time to Innovate

December 13, 2017

December 13, 2017 | Ahmad Masri, MD
Career Development

Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship is the largest ACGME-accredited fellowship participating in the National Residency Matching Program, with 866 FIT positions offered in 2017.

Mohammad-Ali Jazayeri, MD and Hussein Abu Daya, MD, FIT

ACC Legislative Conference 2017 – A Tour de Force in Advocacy Education for Fellows in Training!

December 1, 2017

December 1, 2017 | Mohammad-Ali Jazayeri, MD and Hussein Abu Daya, MD
Advocacy

The 2017 ACC Legislative Conference featured an excellent inaugural pre-conference program for FITs and Early Career members on Sept. 10 at the Fairmont Hotel, a stone’s throw from the ACC Heart House in Washington, DC. The following is a rundown of the major highlights from the FIT and Early Career pre-conference session.

Author headshot

ACC Legislative Conference 2017 – A Message to the Fellow in Training Grassroots

December 1, 2017

December 1, 2017 | Mohammad-Ali Jazayeri, MD
Chapter Engagement

The recent ACC Legislative Conference took place September 10 – 12 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC and on Capitol Hill. Among the conference highlights for FITs and Early Career Section members was the inaugural pre-conference held on Sept. 10.

Chapters

Digital Innovation at the ACC

November 27, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Arash Harzand, MD
Career Development

Below is a conversation with ACC Chief Innovation Officer John Rumsfeld, MD, PhD, FACC, and FIT Salim Hayek, MD, about the recently announced Innovation Member Section.

Meetings

Hear From the Experts on the Hottest Trials From AHA 2017

November 22, 2017

In the latest ACC Cardiology Hour, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, is joined by Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC; Rachel J. Lampert, MD, FACC; Prediman K. Shah, MD, MACC; and Chadwick W. Stouffer, MD, in a roundtable discussion of the hottest trials from AHA 2017 in Anaheim, CA. Among the trials discussed are DACAB, CANVAS, EXSCEL, POISE-2 and more.

Konstantinos Stathogiannis

Cardiology Training in Greece

November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Konstantinos Stathogiannis, MD, PhD
International

Cardiology fellowship in Greece is a vigorous four-year program in which intense training takes place under the constant vigilance of attending cardiologists.

Kristin M. Burns, MD, FACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Kristin M. Burns, MD, FACC

November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Kristin M. Burns, MD, FACC
Education

In this interview, Kristin M. Burns, MD, FACC, pediatric cardiologist at the Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, and medical officer at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), shares advice with ACC's FITs about a career in research.

Erica Flores, MD

Trial Update: Peripheral Vascular Disease

November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Erica Flores, MD
Education

The age-old question of surgery versus endovascular treatment of cardiovascular disease has been studied in the coronaries and the carotids.

Emily Lau

Highlights From the 2017 Women in Cardiology Leadership Workshop

November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Emily Lau, MD and Nidhi Madan, MD
Career Development

Last month, hundreds of members of the ACC – cardiologists, allied health professionals and FITs – headed to Capitol Hill to meet with congressional leaders to discuss the work that the ACC community has been doing to improve cardiovascular care for their patients.

Arnav Kumar

First Year, Academic Clinical Investigator Pathway

October 26, 2017

Profile of Arnav Kumar, MD MSCR, a first year cardiology fellow in the Academic Clinical Investigator Pathway at Emory University, who plans to build a career in academic cardiovascular medicine with a focus on interventional cardiology, clinical investigation and education.

Member Benefits

Early-Career Academic Cardiology: The Challenges Continue

October 25, 2017

The global status of early-career academic cardiology remains uncertain. This is among the conclusions of the Early Career Section Academic Working Group of the ACC, in a report of their study assessing the current status and challenges for this group, published Oct. 23 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Sawan Jalnapurkar, MD

Are You a Good Leader?

October 18, 2017

October 18, 2017 | Sawan Jalnapurkar, MD
Career Development

From leading bedside rounds to representing the medical community in Congress, from medical school to being a practicing physician, we wear the dual hat of a leader and a physician. Paradoxically, leadership training has not been part of most official fellowship curricula.

Chapters

Conversations with Cardiologists: Dr. Joseph Rogers – Part 1

October 18, 2017

October 18, 2017 | Bethany Doran, MD
Career Development

I. Preface - Joseph Rogers, MD, FACC, currently the interim chair of medicine at Duke University Hospital, came to Duke University in 2004 from Washington University in St. Louis, where he had built the cardiac transplant and mechanical circulatory support program.

Moustafa Elsheshtawy, MD

Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: Present Challenges and Future Refinements

October 18, 2017

October 18, 2017 | Moustafa Elsheshtawy, MD
Education

The morbidity, mortality and cost associated with hospital readmissions, especially in the Medicare population, is a growing concern. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented many initiatives to reduce hospital readmission rates, including the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP).

Chapters

Navigating a Career in Cardiac Imaging: A FIT Perspective

October 2, 2017

September 29, 2017 | Ahmad Masri, MD
Education

Imaging has become an integral part of cardiology. Although often times not thought of as an imaging modality, the first true form of cardiac imaging was selective coronary angiography (Mason Sones, 1958) that revolutionized our specialty. Decades later, non-invasive means of imaging the heart have surfaced, such as echocardiography, nuclear imaging, computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Chapters

MACRA - A Brief Review

September 29, 2017

September 29, 2017 | Charles Beale, MD
Education

Another calendar year has passed, and so has this year’s ACC Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.  The ACC has continued to promote advocacy for our patients and our members. They have been instrumental in preparation for us to remain legislatively responsible and educated with regards to the implementation of Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

Jordan D. Awerbach, MD, MPH

Transitioning Care of the Adult Patient with Congenital Heart Disease

September 29, 2017

September 29, 2017 | Jordan D. Awerbach, MD, MPH
Education

The majority of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) fail to appropriately transition as adults to adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) specialists. Most experience a lapse in care, re-emerging later with significant illness under the care of providers with very limited CHD experience.

Thomas Kaier

Research in the United Kingdom

September 28, 2017

September 28, 2017 | Thomas E. Kaier, MD, MRCP, MBA
International

Following on from the article Cardiology Training ‘Across the Pond,’ written by Amardeep Dastidar, MBBS, I want to provide an insight into higher academic training in the UK. As my colleague has eloquently described, cardiology training is a five-year program following on from two years foundation and two years core training in General Medicine.

Juan M. Ortega-Legaspi, MD

ESC 2017 Experience

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2017 | Juan M. Ortega-Legaspi, MD
International

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Annual Congress is an excellent experience, not to be missed by FITs interested in cardiovascular clinical and basic science. I was lucky enough to attend this year's session in Barcelona, Spain.

ACC Legislative Conference 2017 Review

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2017 | Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, MD, MSc
Chapter Engagement

Last week's Legislative Conference saw a great Fellows in Training (FIT) turnout, with 68 FITs representing nearly every state chapter, including travel award winners from 26 states!

Chapters

ACC Legislative Conference 2017 Experience

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2017 | Tamika Rozema, MD
Advocacy

The 2017 ACC Legislative Conference provided me with an opportunity to merge the daily routine of a physician with the policies that impact all aspects of our profession.

Russell C. Raphaely, MD

Conversations With Cardiologists: Russell C. Raphaely, MD

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2017 | Russell C. Raphaely, MD
Career Development

Russell C. Raphaely, MD, is one of the founding fathers of pediatric cardiac critical care. Raphaely graduated from New York Medical College in 1964.

Chapters

Efficient Debt Management and Physician Mortgages

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2017 | Marshall Weintraub, CFP® and Michael Merrill, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®
Career Development

Debt. Most physicians become familiar with it in one way or another throughout their careers; whether it takes the shape of student loans, credit card balances or a mortgage.

Edinrin Obasare, MD

Career Development: Three Keys to Life-long Learning

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2017 | Edinrin Obasare, MD
Career Development

"Go where the learning is!" This quote was declared by professor Everard Barton, MBBS, chairman of internal medicine at my medical school alma mater.

Join Us

Apply for ACC’s Membership Committee by Sept. 22

September 13, 2017

In conjunction with the ACC Committee Nominations cycle, the College’s Membership Committee is now accepting applications through Sept. 22. The Membership Committee was established as part of the 2015 College’s governance transformation and serves as standing committee of the College, reporting directly to the Board of Trustees.

Member Benefits

Father’s Day: Raising a Family in the Profession of Medicine

September 7, 2017

In a recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Michael A. Lee, MD, and his son, Michael Lee, Jr., MD, JD, share heart-felt stories about their experiences growing up in the difficult, yet rewarding profession of medicine. They discuss the sacrifices that come with being a doctor, but also the importance of remaining devoted to both patients and family.

Get Involved at ACC Legislative Conference 2017

August 16, 2017

August 16, 2017 | Hena Patel, MD
Advocacy

Every day, cardiologists confront challenges to providing the best possible care for patients, including the threat of liability lawsuits, mandates for electronic medical records, and scope of practice expansions, just to name a few.

Chapters

Chapter Engagement – FIT Forums and Transition to Practice

August 16, 2017

August 16, 2017 | Edinrin Obasare, MD
Chapter Engagement

As summer comes to its final month we reflect on the changes that propel us to the next season of our lives. This is an exciting and busy time for everyone. It also presents the opportunity to take part in activities our ACC state chapters offer.

Aaron Kithcart

FIT August Spotlight: Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD

August 16, 2017

August 16, 2017 | Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD
Career Development

Each month, the Fellows in Training (FIT) Section newsletter, ACC On-Call, highlights the achievements of one FIT. The Section would like to recognize Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD, an FIT at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.

Meetings

Call For Applications: Annual Scientific Session Vice Chair

July 20, 2017

The ACC is seeking qualified candidates to serve as vice chair of the Annual Scientific Session for a two-year term of office for ACC.19 and ACC.20, moving on to assume another two-year term as chair of ACC.21 and ACC.22.

Georges Ephrem, MD, MSc

FIT July Spotlight: Georges Ephrem, MD, MSc

July 19, 2017

July 19, 2017 | Georges Ephrem, MD, MSc
Career Development

Each month, the Fellows in Training (FIT) Section newsletter, ACC On-Call, highlights the achievements of one FIT. The Section would like to recognize Georges Ephrem, MD, MSc, an adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) FIT at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA.

Webinars

Investment Risks – Short-Term vs. Long-Term

July 19, 2017

July 19, 2017 | Marshall Weintraub, CFP, and Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

Misaligning your investment allocation with your time horizon is a common mistake if you are not familiar with different types of risk. What do we mean by this?

Jenine John

Mentoring Women: What Men and Women Should Know

June 23, 2017

June 22, 2017 | Jenine John, MD
Career Development

You may have some concerns about whether you can mentor women well. Rest assured that the process is not much different from mentoring men, and it is generally more productive to focus on the similarities between the genders. By keeping a few things in mind, though, you can maximize the effectiveness of the mentoring relationship.

Jenine John

Mentoring: Are You Doing It Right?

June 23, 2017

June 22, 2017 | Jenine John, MD
Career Development

Each of us in cardiology, wherever we are in our career, is in a position to be a mentor. Think about who you are mentoring. Are they aware that you are their mentor? Do you know how their career is progressing and what their current struggles are? Are your mentees a good mix of men and women, and is there a good racial mix?

Ben Kenigsberg

QI and Health Care Transformation: An Interview With William Borden, MD, FACC

June 22, 2017

June 22, 2017 | Ben Kenigsberg, MD
Advocacy

William Borden, MD, FACC, is an associate professor of medicine and health policy, and the director of health care delivery transformation at the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates in Washington, D.C. His clinical focus is in preventive cardiology, and he works both in policy and operationally on delivering high-value care.

Webinars

Creating the ACHD FIT Work Group

June 22, 2017

June 22, 2017 | Georges Ephrem, MD
Education

Mark Victor Hansen once said, “You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be.” Nowhere is this more relevant than in medical education.

Webinars

Cardiology Training ‘Across the Pond’

June 22, 2017

June 22, 2017 | Amardeep Dastidar, MBBS
International

Cardiology is one of the most popular specialties in medicine. Entry to the training program remains highly competitive and potential FITs often go the 'extra mile' to keep up with the competition. Entry to cardiology training in the U.K. is possible following successful completion of the foundation program training (two years) followed by core training program (two years). The latter has two possible routes leading to entry into cardiology training: Core Medical Training (CMT); or Acute Care Common Stem - Acute Medicine.

Jennifer Gerardin

Med-Peds Impact on Adult Congenital Heart Disease

June 22, 2017

June 22, 2017 | Jennifer Gerardin, MD
Education

This year the combined specialty of internal medicine – pediatrics (Med-Peds) turns 50 years old. Med-Peds physicians have made an impact on primary care and hospital medicine but a quarter of all graduates pursue subspecialty training in pediatrics, internal medicine or a combined fellowship. Many enter subspecialty care with a plan of finding a way to continue to combine these fields and navigating both systems. Within cardiology, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) has been that field. In the U.S., Med-Peds physicians have been there since the beginning caring for ACHD patients and shaping the field.

Chad J. Zack, MD

FIT June Spotlight: Chad J. Zack, MD

June 21, 2017

June 21, 2017 | Chad J. Zack, MD
Career Development

Each month, the Fellows in Training (FIT) Section newsletter, ACC On-Call, highlights the achievements of one cardiology FIT. The Section would like to recognize Chad J. Zack, MD, an FIT at Mayo Clinic, as the 'star FIT' for the month of June. Zack describes his research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

Chapters

Saving For a Child's College

June 21, 2017

June 21, 2017 | Marshall Weintraub, CFP, and Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

Saving for a child's higher education often gets put on hold as physicians and their families go through their final years of training. Paying off credit cards, replenishing emergency reserves, and home purchases are common priorities shortly after household incomes increase. Once the dust has settled, one of the next questions parents reflect on becomes, "how do we plan for our children's education?" This article will review educational cost and inflation trends before turning to 529 plans.

Chapters

Conversations With Cardiologists: Akshay Khandelwal, MD, FACC

June 21, 2017

June 21, 2017 | Akshay Khandelwal, MD, FACC
Education

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insight on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs). In a recent interview with Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, Akshay Khandelwal, MD, FACC, governor of ACC's Michigan Chapter, shares advice for graduating FITs.

Chapters

ACC FIT Chapter Highlight: Inspiration From Pennsylvania

June 21, 2017

June 21, 2017 | Srinath Adusumalli, MD, and Ahmad Masri, MD
Chapter Engagement

ACC's state chapters are important components of the professional homes of today's FITs. To that end, as FIT representatives to the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the ACC, we have been working on several initiatives that cross fellowship program lines and are aimed at engaging FITs across the state in the activities of ACC's PA Chapter, as well as the ACC on a national level.

Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC

May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017 | Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC
Education

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insight on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs). In a recent interview with Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, the third female president of the ACC, shares her insights on the beginning of her journey in cardiology and the road to ACC presidency.

Fatima Rodriguez, MD, MPH

FIT May Spotlight: Fatima Rodriguez, MD, MPH

May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017 | Fatima Rodriguez, MD, MPH
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 Fatima Rodriguez, MD, MPH, chief fellow at Stanford University, as the 'star FIT' for the month of May. Fatima describes her research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

Sheila Sahni, MD

FIT May Spotlight: Sheila Sahni, MD

May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017 | Sheila Sahni, 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 Sheila Sahni, MD, an interventional cardiology fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, as the 'star FIT' for the month of May. Sahni describes her research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

Sara Negrotto, MD

Women in Cardiology: Jumping the Hurdles

May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017 | Sara Negrotto, MD
Career Development

In the words of Madeleine Albright, "It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent." As a first-year cardiology fellow, I am very thankful for the many women in medicine, especially cardiology, who used their voice to establish a presence that paved the way for more women to be accepted into this male dominated field.

Athena Poppas, MD, FACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Athena Poppas, MD, FACC

May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017 | Athena Poppas, MD, FACC
Education

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insight on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs). In a recent interview with Charles Beale, MD, and Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, Athena Poppas, MD, FACC, chair of ACC's Governance Committee and past chair of ACC's 64th and 65th Annual Scientific Sessions, describes her work as chair, advice for Fellows in Training (FITs), and more.

Fernanda Erthal, MD

Interview With Thais Coutinho, MD: Lessons Learned From an International Medical Graduate’s Journey

April 28, 2017

April 27, 2017 | Fernanda Erthal, MD
International

Thais Coutinho, MD, is a staff cardiologist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa. She is a Brazilian doctor who graduated at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Early in her career, she decided to move to an academic center in North America for post-graduate medical training. In a recent interview, she shares her experience and lessons learned during her successful career journey.


Gunasekaran Prasad

Physician Payments Sunshine Act: A Friend or Foe?

April 28, 2017

April 27, 2017 | Prasad Gunesakaran, MD
Advocacy

The Physician Payments Sunshine Act, also referred to as the Open Payments Program, aims to enhance transparency of financial interactions between the pharmaceutical/device manufacturing industry and physicians. It requires public release of all financial transactions between covered recipients and manufacturers and those between covered recipients and group purchasing organizations (GPO).

Webinars

Searching the Patent Literature – A Valuable Skill For Cardiology Fellows, Even if You Never File One!

April 27, 2017

April 27, 2017 | Junaid Zaman, MD
Education

As a FIT, we have to search the medical literature and keep abreast of the latest clinical practice guidelines. However, filing a provisional patent after the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Course provided first-hand experience in an equally fascinating source of knowledge and ideas:  the patent literature. Whether you’re filing a patent or just browsing technologies that may shape the future, knowing how to rapidly screen large volumes of intellectual property filings is a skill that can yield insight into technology transfers and afford opportunities in medtech.

Sandeep Krishnan, MD

H.R. 1155: A Win For Team-Based Care

April 27, 2017

April 27, 2017 | Sandeep Krishnan, MD
Advocacy

The importance of a team approach has long been supported and advocated by the ACC, AHA, and ESC guideline writing groups. However, the adoption of a true heart team inclusive of all providers including advanced practice providers (APPs), has eluded many practices and institutions until recently as it is a fairly new concept in cardiology. One thing that I appreciate about the ACC is its longstanding emphasis on advocating for physicians, patients, and for all cardiovascular team members including nurses, APPs, and cardiovascular technologists.

Sanah Christopher

Women’s Cardiovascular Health: Furthering the Cause as an FIT

April 27, 2017

April 27, 2017 | Sanah Christopher, MD
Career Development

It is a well known fact that the diagnosis of coronary artery disease is often delayed in women. Furthermore, heart disease is noted to be the leading cause of death in older women and the third most common cause of death in women globally. Fortunately, initiatives to improve the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease in women are bringing increased awareness to the cause.

Thad F. Waites, MD, FACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Thad Waites, MD, FACC

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017 | Thad Waites, MD, FACC
Education

Aaron Kithcart, MD, PhD, and Sandeep Krishnan, MD, recently sat down with Thad Waites, MD, FACC, chair of ACC's Health Affairs Committee (HAC) and a leading voice in the ACC, to get his thoughts on advocacy and learn about his journey to becoming an advocate for the ACC.

Chapters

FIT Recap of ACC.17

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017 | Akhil Narang, MD
Education

ACC.17 is officially in the books! ACC's 66th Annual Scientific Session was a resounding success with nearly 20,000 cardiovascular professionals gathering in our nation's capital.

Srinath Adusumalli, MD

FIT April Spotlight: Srinath Adusumalli, MD

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017 | Srinath Adusumalli, 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 Srinath (Sri) Adusumalli, MD, chief fellow at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, as the 'star FIT' for the month of April.

Bharath Rajagopalan, MD

Responding to FIT Needs: Developing ACC’s SHD Fellowship Program Database

April 19, 2017

April 19, 2017 | Bharath Rajagopalan, MD
Career Development

The field of structural heart disease (SHD) interventions has grown significantly over the last decade. With the recent advances in the field of adult and pediatric SHD, there has been an increase in demand for cardiologists who are trained and proficient in performing these procedures.

Tushar Tuliani

Nutrition and Prevention of CVD: An Interview With Gary Fraser, MBChB, FACC

March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017 | Tushar Tuliani, MD
Education

In an interview with Tushar Tuliani, MD, a Fellow in Training (FIT) at the Loma Linda University, California, Gary Fraser, MBChB, FACC, professor of preventive medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and cardiologist at Loma Linda University Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, discusses the importance of lifestyle modification in the prevention of heart disease and the challenges faced by researchers in nutrition health.


Webinars

Vascular Medicine: It’s Time to Change the Way We Educate Young Medical Professionals

March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017 | Andrew Prouse, MD
Education

A particularly concerning issue as a professional training in cardiovascular disease is the common response by medical housestaff when presented with peripheral vascular disease or the “cold leg” in the middle of the night, which is to refer to consult services other than cardiovascular medicine.

Flueckiger_Peter

Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowships: Finding, Applying, and Points to Consider

March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017 | Peter Flueckiger, MD
Education

Advanced cardiovascular imaging fellowships are a relatively recent development in cardiovascular medicine training. The need for imaging training programs has arisen due to advances in multiple cardiovascular imaging modalities, specifically computed tomography (CT), cardiac MR (CMR), echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.

Jennifer Gerardin

Balancing ACHD and Other Cardiology Specialties – Part 3: The Future of ACHD

March 30, 2017

March 30, 2017 | Jennifer Gerardin, MD
Education

This is the final segment of a three-part interview with five adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) physicians at Emory University and Texas Children’s Hospital. The first article focused on why these ACHD physicians pursued this career pathway and who influenced their decision. The second part focused on how they balanced ACHD, adult or pediatric cardiology and additional sub-specialty training. This final part is their advice to trainees and their opinion on the future of the field.

Andrew Kates

Conversations With Cardiologists: Andrew Kates, MD, FACC

March 15, 2017

March 15, 2017 | Andrew Kates, MD, FACC
Education

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insight on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs).

Salim Hayek

FIT March Spotlight: Salim S. Hayek, MD

March 15, 2017

March 15, 2017 | Salim S. Hayek, 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 Salim S. Hayek, MD, an FIT at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA, as the 'star FIT' for the month of March.

Small Fish in a Big Pond

March 15, 2017

March 15, 2017 | Allen Ligon, MD
Career Development

Since 2010, the Centers for Disease Control have published data reporting there are currently more adults (>18 years old) than children living with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the U.S. This speaks to the emphasis that needs to be placed on CHD education for all cardiologists, especially trainees, as the number of these patients is expected to continue to grow.

The Role of EHRs on Physician Burnout

March 2, 2017

March 2, 2017 | James E. Tcheng, MD, FACC
Career Development

Physician burnout has many undesirable consequences, including negative impacts on the delivery and quality of patient care, physician career dissatisfaction and adverse effects on personal and family health and life.

Chapters

An Update from ACC’s PA Chapter on Fall 2016 Events

February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017 | Megan Kamath, MD
Chapter Engagement

ACC’s Pennsylvania Chapter has been a champion of education and lifelong learning for members at every stage of training, making it an invaluable resource to all involved. Megan Kamath, MD provides an update on the Chapter's activities. 


A Fellow’s Role in Non-Communicable Disease Management in the Americas

February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017 | Daniel Sierra, MD
International

There is an important epidemiological shift in Latin America attributable to a rapid population overgrowth, a decrease in infant mortality and an increase in life expectancy. The result is an overwhelming demographic explosion in the Americas. In Latin America, this population overgrowth has shown that the population´s needs and demands greatly surpass their supplies.

Bram Geller

The Role of the Cardiac Intensivist: An Interview with Jason Katz, MD, MHS

February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017 | Bram Geller, MD
Education

During an interview with Bram Geller, MD, a Fellow in Training (FIT) at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Jason Katz, MD, MHS, Director of the University of North Carolina Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgical Intensive Care Unit, discusses the field of critical care cardiology.

Edinrin Obasare, MD

Navigating the Career Path: A Thoughtful Approach to Career Success

February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017 | Edinrin Rae Obasare, MD
Career Development

How do you achieve  a successful career in cardiology? The truth is there is no universal  path or formula to  achieve this goal.  We all possess unique gifts, strengths and weaknesses. Our career journeys will be different. However, excitement is found in the journey and in the insights that we discover along the way.


Laurel Yong-Hwa Lee

General Cardiology: First Year Fellow

February 23, 2017

The path that has led me to pursue an academic career in cardiovascular medicine has been a series of decision-making processes guided by hard work, careful introspection and generous mentorship.

Aaron Kithcart

Subspecialty Fellowship: Vascular Medicine

February 23, 2017

When I initially started my cardiovascular disease fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, I didn’t pay much attention the latter half of "cardiovascular". Sure, we all go into cardiology knowing the heart is the center of our specialty, but I think you’ll agree that vascular disease also plays a significant role.

Poonam Velagapudi

Subspecialty Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology

February 23, 2017

Interventional cardiology fellowship is an ACGME accredited one-year sub-specialty training in percutaneous coronary interventions after completion of three years of general cardiology fellowship. A few programs offer an additional non-ACGME accredited year of training in structural heart disease or peripheral interventions.

Dr. Narang

Subspecialty Fellowship: Imaging

February 23, 2017

I'm often met with bewilderment when I tell a non-cardiologist I'm pursuing a career in Advanced Cardiac Imaging. And to be fair, I knew little of what Cardiac Imaging consisted of until I started my residency at the University of Chicago, which boasts a renowned Cardiac Imaging group. Now that I'm in my final year of general Cardiology fellowship (which is also the first of two years of an Advanced Cardiac Imaging fellowship), I hope to share my experience with those considering a career in Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging.

Chapters

An FIT Guide to ACC.17

February 15, 2017

February 15, 2017 | Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS and
Akhil Narang, MD
Education

Greetings! We hope you are as excited as we are for ACC's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.17), March 17 – 19 in Washington, DC!

Kevin Campbell

Conversations With Cardiologists: Kevin R. Campbell, MD, FACC

February 15, 2017

February 15, 2017 | Kevin R. Campbell, MD, FACC
Education

'Conversations With Cardiologists' highlights prominent cardiologists throughout the country and shares their invaluable insight on cardiology and sage advice for Fellows in Training (FITs). In an interview with Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, chair-elect of the FIT Section Leadership Council and an FIT at Brown University, Kevin R. Campbell, MD, FACC, discusses social media use in health care and how he got involved in the digital sphere.

Chapters

Outcomes Research: What It Is, What It's Not, and Why It's Important For FITs

February 15, 2017

February 15, 2017 | Dhaval Kolte, MD, PhD
Education

The term "outcomes research" was first introduced in 1998 by Clancy and Eisenberg in their article in Science, which stated that "outcomes research – the study of the end results of health services that takes patients' experiences, preferences, and values into account – is intended to provide scientific evidence relating to decisions made by all who participate in health care."

FIT February Spotlight: Hassan Mir, MD

February 15, 2017

February 15, 2017 | Hassan Mir, 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 Hassan Mir, MD, an FIT at McMaster University, as the 'star FIT' for the month of February.

Poonam Velagapudi

ACC Members and Staff Support National Wear Red Day

February 15, 2017

February 15, 2017 | Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS
Section Update

National Wear Red Day is observed on the first Friday of February every year to bring to attention the fact that heart disease is the most common cause of death among women and to raise awareness about women's heart health.

Sanah Christopher

Cardiology Subspecialties: Perspectives to Explore For Female FITs

January 26, 2017

January 26, 2017 | Sanah Christopher, MD
Career Development

Committing to sub-specialty training after cardiology fellowship can be one of the most challenging decisions faced by FITs. Current estimates for female FITs in cardiology training programs are at 15 – 18 percent, however, the percentage of female FITs in sub-specialty training tends to be much lower.

Conversations With Cardiologists: Luigi Di Biase, MD, FACC

January 26, 2017

January 26, 2017 | Krishna Pothineni, MD
Education

Krishna Pothineni, MD, recently sat down with Di Biase to learn more about his career journey in electrophysiology, and his words of advice for prospective and current electrophysiology (EP) FITs. Luigi Di Biase, MD, FACC, is the section head of electrophysiology at Montefiore/Albert Einstein Medical Center in New York.


Conversation With Cardiologists: Mark Drazner, MD, FACC

January 25, 2017

January 25, 2017 | Purav Mody, MD
Education

Mark Drazner, MD, FACC, is the clinical chief of cardiology, medical director of the Heart Failure, LVAD and Heart Transplantation Program and a professor of medicine at UT Southwestern Texas. 

Gunasekaran Prasad

Importance of Connecting With Leaders at ACC’s Regional Meetings

January 25, 2017

January, 25 | Prasad Gunasekaran, MD
Chapter Engagement

FITs in Kansas have had the distinct honor of hosting three successive presidents of the ACC, Patrick T. O’Gara, MD , MACC; Kim A. Williams Sr., MD, MACC; and  Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC, to preside over the chapter’s annual cardiovascular symposium. The welcome dinner served as the perfect platform for FITs to interact in an informal manner with ACC leadership on pertinent topics.

Monica Verdoia

Transoceanic Fellows in Training Jeopardy

January 25, 2017

January 25, 2017 | Monica Verdoia, MD
International

Investing in the next generation of cardiologists has been the goal of cardiovascular medical societies, both in the United States and Italy, over the last few years. FITs appreciate opportunities and new initiatives to promote learning and networking.

Bharath Rajagopalan, MD

FIT January Spotlight: Bharath Rajagopalan, MD

January 18, 2017

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.

Andrew M. Goldsweig, MD, FACC, RPVI

The Quest For a Fellowship in Structural Heart Disease

January 18, 2017

January 18, 2017 | Andrew M. Goldsweig, MD, FACC, RPVI
Career Development

As an internal medicine resident, I stood in the back corner of the cardiac catheterization laboratory, behind thirty cardiologists, witnessing our hospital's first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Webinars

A Sneak Peek of ACC.17 Offerings For FITs

January 18, 2017

January 18, 2017
Education

Fellows in Training (FITs) will begin their cardiology careers in a changing, more complex health care scenario that includes multiple specialty choices, different reimbursement and team management approaches, and intriguing new treatment options.

Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC

January 18, 2017

January 18, 2017 | Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC
Education

In an interview with Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, and Megha Prasad, MD, Fellows in Training (FITs) at Mayo Clinic, Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC, Judd and Mary Morris Leighton Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, discusses his achievements, mentorship, the future of cardiology and physician burnout.

Carlos Barrero

Advice For Young Cardiologists in Pursuit of Excellence

December 20, 2016

December 20, 2016 | Carlos Barrero, MD, FACC
International

Thoughts from Carlos Barrero, MD, FACC, immediate past governor of ACC’s Argentina Chapter, regarding a recently published article by Ignacio M. Seropian, MD. 



Doing Research as a FIT in Argentina: ‘Mission Impossible’?

December 19, 2016

December 19, 2016 | Ignacio M. Seropian, MD
International

Argentina has a long tradition in cardiology. Rene Favoloro, MD, is considered by Argentineans as the pioneer of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Julio Palmaz, MD, invented the Palmaz coronary stent and Juan Parodi, MD, performed the first endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Although most of these were performed abroad, Argentineans are aware of the importance of research to the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Jennifer Gerardin

Balancing ACHD and Other Cardiology Specialties – Part 2: The Balancing Act

December 19, 2016

December 19, 2016 | Jennifer Gerardin, MD, FAAP
Education

This is the second of a three-part interview with five adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) physicians at Emory University and Texas Children’s Hospital. The first article focused on why these ACHD physicians pursued this career pathway and who influenced their decision. The second part focuses on how they balance these sub-specialties.

Richard Chazal

Conversations With Cardiologists: Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC

December 14, 2016

December 14, 2016 | Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC
Education

In an interview with Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, an interventional cardiology fellow in training (FIT) at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and a member of the FIT Section Leadership Council, ACC President Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC, discusses his presidency, hot advocacy topics and more.

Michael Gannon

Celebrating the Holidays in House

December 14, 2016

December 14, 2016 | Michael P. Gannon, MD
Career Development

The winter months are marked with numerous holidays of varying religions, cultures and ethnicities. They are a time for celebration and joy with family and friends. FITs are no exception to this. However, a field of 24-hour care, 365 days a year can pose a hurdle.

FIT December Spotlight: Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, MD

December 14, 2016

December 14, 2016 | Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, 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 Ada C. Stefanescu Schmidt, MD, a cardiology fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, an FIT member of the Surgeons' Section Leadership Council, and a member of ACC’s Leadership Academy, as the 'star FIT' for the month of December. She describes her research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

Chapters

Rising Interest Rates – Why the Fuss?

December 14, 2016

December 14, 2016 | Marshall Weintraub, CFP, and Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

If you have tuned into the financial news recently, you may have heard about the Federal Reserve possibly raising interest rates in the near future. The Federal Reserve is the U.S.' central bank and is mandated with using monetary policy to control price stability (inflation) and achieve full employment (which does not mean unemployment is 0 percent), two measures of a healthy, stable economy.

Benjamin Holmes

Focus on ACC’s TN Chapter: Interview With Julie B. Damp, MD, FACC, and Robert N. Piana, MD, FACC

November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Benjamin Holmes, MD
Chapter Engagement

Hoping to gain some insight into opportunities for involvement and leadership at the national level, I sat down with two members of ACC’s Tennessee Chapter who have served as chairs on national committees within the College.  Julie Damp, MD, FACC, is a non-invasive cardiologist in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is the associate program director of the Vanderbilt Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship Program. She currently serves as chair of the ACC Cardiovascular Training Section. Robert N. Piana, MD, FACC, is an interventional cardiologist and director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Intervention Program, and is the immediate past chair of the ACC Coding Task Force, serving ex-officio as the College’s CPT Code Advisor. 

Daniel Addison, MD

Giving Thanks, While Preparing for the Next Season

November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Daniel Addison, MD
Career Development

As we head into the holiday season with thanks-giving for the completion the start of another academic year, we recognize our achievements as we cast an eye on the next horizon. Many of us are faced with important decisions over this holiday season. These decisions range from how to prepare for a successful finish to the first year of cardiology fellowship, to the decision on jobs for the upcoming year. In this article I will focus on the decision to pursue additional sub-specialty training and a potential framework to aide in making a good transition.

Michael Goldfarb

Interview With Quebec-ACC Governor, Dr. Lawrence Rudski

November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Michael Goldfarb, MD
International

Lawrence Rudski, MD, FACC, FASE, is the Quebec-ACC governor and president of the Canadian Society of Echocardiography. He is a professor of medicine at McGill University, Montreal Quebec; Director, Division of Cardiology and Director, Integrated Cardiovascular Center, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal Quebec Canada. 

Fernanda Erthal, MD

What is a Great Fellowship?

November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Fernanda Erthal, MD
International

Recently, I was watching the Olympics games - yes, I am from Brazil and have to admit that even abroad I could not take my eyes from it – and was fascinated with the athletes. Watching the games, we get the false impression that the difference between a gold medal and no medal is a millisecond, one point, one detail. But if we take some time to look deeper, we realize that the real difference is the effort, dedication and passion of each athlete.

Sandeep Krishnan, MD

The Power of the People

November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Sandeep Krishnan, MD
Advocacy

State legislatures are some of the most important institutions in our government today. As Congress remains gridlocked to degrees of the highest level, we are at a crossroads for how to move forward with the question of governance.

Bram Geller

Current Training in Critical Care Cardiology

November 30, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Bram Geller, MD
Education

Critical care cardiology is a developing and evolving subspecialty within cardiology. The coronary care unit has evolved from a place where patients with an acute myocardial infarction could complete their infarct under medical supervision, to a complex intensive care unit supporting patients with mixed shock, respiratory failure and dependence on mechanical circulatory support devices.

Sahil Khera, MD

Where Do You See Yourself in the Next 10 Years?

November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016 | Sahil Khera, MD
Career Development

Cardiology remains one of the most sought after specialties in medicine – fiercely competitive, gratifying and extremely demanding. With rapid advancements in device technology, pharmaceutical therapies, imaging modalities and procedural competencies we have more subspecialties than any other field in medicine to choose from.

Chapters

Fellows Met the Masters at TCT 2016

November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016 | Deepika Narasimha, MD & Poonam Velagapudi, MD
Career Development

The recent TCT 2016 meeting was well attended by many notable ACC members. Roxana Mehran, MD, FACC, chair of ACC's Interventional Cardiology Section, co-director of TCT 2016, and co-author of the Platinum Diversity study presented at this meeting, hosted an exciting program titled 'Fellow Conversations with the Masters' for FITs.

Amanda Eilers, DO

FIT November Spotlight: Amanda Eilers, DO

November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016 | Amanda Eilers, DO
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 Amanda Eilers, DO, a cardiothoracic surgery fellow at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and an FIT member of the Surgeons' Section Leadership Council, as the 'star FIT' for the month of November.

Kim Allan Williams Sr., MD, MACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Kim Allan Williams Sr., MD, MACC

November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016 | Kim Allan Williams Sr., MD, MACC
Education

In an interview with Akhil Narang, MD, chair of the FIT Section, and an FIT at the University of Chicago, and Hena Patel, MD, an FIT at Rush University, Kim Allan Williams Sr., MD, MACC, immediate past-president of the ACC and chief of cardiology at Rush University Medical Center, discusses his involvement in the ACC, career challenges and accomplishments, and his advice for FITs.

Edinrin Obasare, MD

Focus on PA-ACC: Family time!

October 27, 2016

October 27, 2016 | Edinrin Rae Obasare, MD
Chapter Engagement

Families – some we choose and others we find ourselves in. In most families, everyone rallies together to achieve a common worthwhile goal. The ACC is a large organization, with local state chapters which serve as the “smaller family” unit for ACC members. The Pennsylvania Chapter (PA-ACC) is my local ACC chapter/family.
 

Chapters

ACC’s PA Chapter Update: A Productive Year For Western PA

October 27, 2016

October 27, 2016 | Megan Kamath, MD
Chapter Engagement

2016 is racing to a close and, boy, what a year it has been for the FITs in ACC’s Pennsylvania Chapter. February 2016 put the spotlight on women’s heart health and many Western PA FITs attended the Cardiovascular Disease and Women Conference held at Allegheny Health Network. Topics for discussion included peripartum cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease in women, pre-eclampsia, and mid-life cardiovascular disease considerations.

Jenine John

Why Care About Being a Woman in Cardiology? Part II

October 27, 2016   |   Jenine John, MD

Feature Article

My fellowship experience is, in a way, a case study on increasing the number of women in cardiology. My class consists of four women and one man. Yes, eighty percent of my cardiology fellowship year is female. We are probably making history here.

Tushar Tuliani

Fitness For the FIT: Practicing What You Preach, Part II

October 27, 2016

October 27, 2016 | Tushar Tuliani, MD
Education

In our quest to master disease processes and achieve academic glory, individual well-being takes a back seat. Medical education teaches us to be selfless and put others first. Can we provide quality care to our patients without taking care of ourselves? Numerous years of medical training kept me away from a daily routine of dedicated physical activity. 

Anthony Osterman

Experience of a Puerto Rican Fellow in Training at ACC’s 2016 Legislative Conference

October 20, 2016

October 20, 2016 | Anthony D. Osterman-Pla, MD
Advocacy 

ACC’s Legislative Conference brings together ACC members from across the nation to discuss the most pressing issues affecting cardiovascular professionals and to advocate for improved health care delivery. The conference began with a delightful Sunday-night welcome reception that allowed me to network with colleagues from across the country and exchange ideas on the practice and challenges in cardiovascular medicine.

Chapters

My Experience as a First-Time Attendee of the WIC Leadership Workshop

October 19, 2016

October 19, 2016 | Deepika Narasimha, MD
Career Development

ACC's 2016 Legislative Conference held in Washington, DC, marked the 25th anniversary of the event. This annual session brings together various cardiovascular professionals from all over the country to advocate for patients and the cardiovascular team on Capitol Hill. On the first day of the conference various section and council meetings were held at the Heart House and the Fairmont hotel in D.C, including the Women in Cardiology (WIC) Leadership Workshop.

FIT October Spotlight: Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD

October 19, 2016

October 19, 2016 | Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD
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 Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, a general cardiology fellow in the clinician investigator program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, as the 'star FIT' for the month of October. She describes her research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

Advocacy

A Rhode Island Fellow’s Perspective of ACC’s 2016 Legislative Conference

October 19, 2016

October 19, 2016 | Charles Beale, MD
Advocacy

My second year as an FIT at ACC's Legislative Conference has proven to be even more rewarding than my first. Last year I found myself insecure and almost fumbling over words trying to explain why the ACC wanted to be involved in MACRA, the new payment model during my visit to Capitol Hill.

Claire S. Duvernoy, MD, FACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: Claire Duvernoy, MD, FACC

October 19, 2016

October 19, 2016 | Claire Duvernoy, MD, FACC
Education

Claire Duvernoy, MD, FACC, chair of ACC's Women in Cardiology (WIC) Section, is a well-known interventional cardiologist at University of Michigan and a nurturing mentor. In an interview with Poonam Velagapudi, MD, MS, an interventional cardiology fellow in training (FIT) at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and a member of the FIT Section Leadership Council, Duvernoy discusses various issues pertinent to women in cardiology.

Jennifer Gerardin

Balancing ACHD and Other Cardiology Specialties: Part 1 – The Journey

September 29, 2016

September 29, 2016 | Jennifer Gerardin, MD, FAAP
Education

This is the first of a three-part interview with five adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) physicians at Emory University and Texas Children’s Hospital. This article asks why they pursued this career pathway and who influenced their decision.

Peter Flueckiger

Multimodality Imaging Training During General Cardiology Fellowships: Re-Evaluating Our Approach

September 29, 2016

September 29, 2016 | Peter Flueckiger, MD
Education

Multimodality cardiovascular imaging technologies continue to develop and have an increasing role in assessment, diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. The combination of echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography for aortic valve stenosis and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), multiple methods of assessing myocardial viability, and the myriad of stress testing options to evaluate coronary artery disease are just a few examples of integrative imaging and distinct choices clinicians make. Because of these clinical challenges and situations, it may be time to re-evaluate imaging training for the general cardiology fellow.

Kevin Parrott

Perspectives From Kentucky ACC

September 29, 2016

September 29, 2016 | Kevin Parrott, MD
Chapter Engagement

The Kentucky Chapter the ACC (KY-ACC) is dedicated to promoting excellence in cardiovascular care, and heart health in commonwealth of Kentucky. The highlight of the year for the Chapter, as well as for all the Fellows in Training (FITs), is our annual meeting, which was held in Lexington, Kentucky at the Lexington Convention Center this past year. Our state Chapter meeting has seen a steady increase in participation, and last year’s meeting set a record for attendance from both practicing cardiologists and FITs with nearly 300 attendees.

Sanah Christopher

Coping With Burnout Strategies For Female FITs

September 29, 2016

September 29, 2016 | Sanah Christopher, MD
Career Development

Burnout syndrome is a significant concern in contemporary medical training, often leading to impairment of personal and work outcomes in health care providers. Burnout frequently establishes its early roots during training, which can have unfortunate lingering effects on future career goals and development.

Olivia Hung

Has Mentorship Become Cliche?

September 29, 2016

September 29, 2016 | Olivia Hung, MD, PhD
Career Development

The importance of mentorship cannot be emphasized enough. It is especially critical during the last years of training and the first few years after fellowship completion because this is the time when we are at our most vulnerable. We face career decisions amidst the growing need to accommodate family considerations and we want to enjoy some of the rewards that have been implicitly promised to us when we enrolled in medical school. The next steps in our trajectory are no longer pre-programmed and obvious. As a result, this is a time when we are most likely to need strong mentorship.

MACRA: What Is It, and What Does It Mean For You?

September 21, 2016

September 21, 2016 | Aaron P. Kithcart, MD, PhD
Advocacy

Long before many of us had started our medical training, Congress enacted the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which created a formula inaccurately called the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) as a way to curb Medicare spending. The formula was the benchmark by which payments to physicians were made. While its intentions were noble, the growth rate was anything but sustainable, and by 2015 physicians were expected to take a 21 percent cut in reimbursements according to the SGR.

William A. Zoghbi, MD, MACC

Conversations With Cardiologists: William A. Zoghbi, MD, MACC

September 21, 2016

September 21, 2016 | William A. Zoghbi, MD, MACC
Career Development

William A. Zoghbi, MD, MACC, is the chair of the department of cardiology, the Elkins Family Distinguished Chair in Cardiac Health at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, a professor of cardiology in the Institute for Academic Medicine, and full member of the Research Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital, in Houston, TX. He is also a past president of the ACC and the American Society of Echocardiography.

Sandeep Krishnan, MD

FIT September Spotlight: Sandeep Krishnan, MD

September 21, 2016

September 21, 2016 | Sandeep Krishnan, 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 Sandeep Krishnan, MD, an interventional FIT at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, as the 'star FIT' for the month of September. Krishnan has been actively involved with the activities of the ACC over the past few years. He describes his research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a short interview below.

Ben Kenigsberg

Physicians as Patient and Health Advocates at ACC’s 2016 Legislative Conference

September 9, 2016

September 9, 2016 | Ben Kenigsberg, MD
Advocacy

What does it mean to be a physician advocate? Through 8 years of medical school, internal medicine residency and general cardiology fellowship, I have an intuitive understanding of the clinical role of a physician. But what does it mean to be an advocate? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines advocacy as “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal”. Clearly, the field of medicine is in flux with extraordinary scientific developments in targeted pharmacologic therapies and device technology. As physicians, we categorically support scientific inquiry.

Advocacy

20 Days in the Himalayas: A Doctor’s Journey

September 9, 2016

September 9, 2016 | Sandeep Krishnan, MD
Advocacy

Every day cardiovascular professionals around the globe are involved in improving and saving the lives of the countless people seeking care for themselves or their loved ones. This is no small feat, given the global epidemic that is heart disease. If this “day job” wasn’t enough, many of these same professionals also volunteer their time to help others in areas where access to basic health care, let alone cardiovascular care, is limited. Read more >>>

Gunasekaran Prasad

Insurance Pre-Authorization Delays and the Need for Standardization and Transparency: How Can Local Chapters and FITs Make a Difference?

August 25, 2016

August 25, 2016 | Prasad Gunasekaran, MD
Advocacy

Spectrum of the Problem: Contemporary clinical practice involves pre-authorization from insurance companies for procedures. These were initially designed to obviate the need for discrepancies in payments for medical care, already provided by physicians. However, it has evolved into a labor-intensive process, causing considerable delays in patient care. Depending on the clinical scenario, the process of pre-authorization typically involves up to three burdensome steps:

Jenine John

Why Care About Being a Woman in Cardiology? Part I

August 25, 2016   |   Jenine John, MD

Feature Article

Here is a scenario for you. A father and his son are in a serious car accident, and the father dies. The son is taken to the closest hospital. Upon entering the boy’s room, the surgeon says, “I cannot operate on this patient – he is my son.” How can this be? Have you figured it out?

Franklyn Arias

In Caribbean Paradise: ACC’s Dominican Republic Chapter

August 25, 2016

August 25, 2016 | Franklyn A Colón Arias, MD
International

In February of this year, the first symposium of ACC’s Dominican Republic Chapter took place – organized by Pedro E. Ureña, MD, FACC, a governor member of the Assembly of International Governors (AIG) – and had a great attendance by local cardiologists. I sat down recently with Ureña to discuss his experience with the Chapter and how the Chapter has contributed to the Dominican Society of Cardiology.

Rayji Tsutsui

Conversations With Cardiologists: Mehdi H. Shishehbor, DO, MPH, FACC

August 25, 2016

August 25, 2016 | Rayji Tsutsui, MBChB
Education

Mehdi H. Shishehbor, DO, MPH, FACC, is the director of endovascular services in the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. His interests include coronary and peripheral vascular interventions. He completed his internal medicine, general cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Shishehbor is married and has two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, reading Persian poetry and watching basketball.

Nisha A. Gilotra

From Devices to Donors: What’s New in HF From the 2016 International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Meeting

August 25, 2016

August 25, 2016 | Nisha Gilotra, MD
Education

The home of the ACC in the nation’s capital was buzzing this spring with nearly 4000 attendees from all over the world for the 36th Annual International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Scientific Sessions.

Many FITs attended and presented their work via oral or poster presentations. Below are highlights from the meeting addressing the current hot topics of next generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy and methods of increasing the heart transplant donor pool:

Mirnela Byku, MD

FIT August Spotlight: Mirnela Byku, MD

August 17, 2016

August 17, 2016 | Mirnela Byku, 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 Mirnela Byku, MD, an advanced heart failure/transplant FIT at Washington University, St. Louis, MO, as the 'star FIT' for the month of August.

Chapters

Investment Portfolio Rebalancing – The Basics

August 17, 2016

August 17, 2016 | Marshall Weintraub and Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

Most cardiologists will become investors at some point in their lives, whether this begins with savings from a high school summer job, an employer-sponsored retirement plan as an attending, or anywhere in between. When you purchase investments, you are probably aware that the value of these may fluctuate, sometimes significantly. Earlier in the year, we wrote an article about the importance of not making large, emotion-based changes to your investments during periods of market volatility. This article will cover an aspect of investment management in which making adjustments is beneficial, called portfolio rebalancing.

Chapters

Half a Million ECG Interpretations and Still Learning

August 17, 2016

August 17, 2016 | Mary L. Dohrmann, MD, FACC
Education

Many things inspire medicine residents to become cardiologists – a specific patient, a mentor, the science of cardiovascular medicine. In my case, it was the electrocardiogram (ECG). For me, ECG interpretation blended all that is known about the heart for an individual patient after obtaining a thorough history and physical examination.

JW Hansen

The Sky is Not Falling, It’s the Limit

August 3, 2016

August 3, 2016 | James Hansen, DO
Education

Right now is a great time to be an interventional cardiologist. The face value of this statement is low, filled with trite optimism and an intolerable sense of idealism. Some senior operators would certainly disagree. To ask them, a career in interventionalism is self-inflicted destitution. I am of the opposite persuasion, and not just because I feel like being contradictory.

LeBude

Conversations with Cardiologists: Gaby Weissman, MD, FACC

July 29, 2016

July 29, 2016 | Bryan LeBude, MD
Education

In addition to serving as program director for the cardiovascular disease fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC) and Georgetown University Hospital, Gaby Weissman, MD, FACC is co-director of the advanced cardiac imaging fellowship at MWHC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Olivia Hung

Personal Finance Primer – Part 2

July 29, 2016

July 29, 2016 | Olivia Hung, MD, PhD
Career Development

In Part I, I discussed the basics of personal finance, including securing and protecting our earnings potential and current financial independence. Once these have been considered and acted upon, the next step is arguably more individualized, making it more complex and interesting. People who have budget surpluses can now plan to use that surplus in one of the following four general categories.

Chapters

Advocacy in Action: Representing the ACC at the AMA House of Delegates

July 20, 2016

July 20, 2016 | Aaron P. Kithcart, MD, PhD
Advocacy

Many know that advocacy is one of the central missions of the ACC. The College leads efforts to ensure cardiology practices are sustainable with adequate access for our patients, which requires advocacy at not only the national and state level, but at the regulatory level as well – especially with the upcoming rollout of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Many efforts, especially MACRA, will affect practices well outside cardiology. For this reason, the College collaborates with other organizations, including the American Medical Association (AMA), to advocate for the entire house of medicine.

Craig Alpert, MD

FIT July Spotlight: Craig Alpert, MD

July 20, 2016

July 20, 2016 | Craig Alpert, MD
Career Development

Each month, the Fellow in Training (FIT) Section newsletter, ACC On-Call, will highlight the achievements of one cardiology FIT. The Section would like to recognize Craig Alpert, MD, an advanced heart failure/transplant FIT at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, as the 'star FIT' for the month of July. Alpert has been actively involved with the activities of the ACC over the past few years. He describes his research interests, hobbies, career goals and involvement with the ACC in a brief interview below:

Chapters

Welcome Letter From the FIT Section Chair Akhil Narang, MD

July 20, 2016

July 20, 2016 | Akhil Narang, MD
Career Development

Dear Colleagues, Welcome to the start of the 2016 – 2017 academic year and a special welcome to our incoming Fellows in Training (FITs) from around the world! As you progress through your training in preparation for a long and rewarding career in cardiology, please take a few moments to explore the many opportunities afforded by your complementary membership in the ACC. Our goal is to ensure that the ACC remains your professional home for years to come.

Chapters

Defining COCATS Level "Zero"

July 20, 2016

July 20, 2016 | Sudarshan Balla, MBBS
Education

I have distinct memories associated with the date July 1. It was on this date that I started my cardiovascular fellowship and three years later became faculty at the University of Missouri. It is a good time to reflect on the past and seek areas of improvement to make a difference for future Fellows in Training (FITs).

Robinson_Jeffrey_A

Getting Involved in ACC’s Ohio Chapter and State Advocacy

June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016 | Jeffrey A. Robinson, MD
Advocacy

ACC’s Ohio Chapter held its annual Legislative Day on May 10 in Columbus. The kick-off dinner and legislative appointments were attended by 28 physicians and cardiovascular team members, including three FITs as key participants. Members received a briefing on the current state legislative session by Monica Hueckel, director of government affairs at the Ohio State Medical Association, as well as an update from ACC State Advocacy by Michael Lawrence.

Ohio Chapter members met with 33 members of the Ohio Legislature, including 20 members of the House and 13 Senators. There were three current bills emphasized and discussed by Ohio Chapter members:

Jeremy Nicolarsen

ACHD Career Pathways – Running an ACHD Program

June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016 | Jeremy Nicolarsen, MD
Career Development

Careers in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are on the rise. In the second of this three part interview series, we’ll look at ACHD care from the vantage point of the early career ACHD Program Director. In this installment, we’ll hear from Yuli Y. Kim, MD, FACC, director of the Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and Ali N. Zaidi, MD, FACC, director of the Montefiore Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program (MAtCH) at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care, Montefiore Medical Center, and The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in NY.

Tarek Alsaied

Conversations With Cardiologists: Robert H. Beekman III, MD, FACC

June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016 | Tarek Alsaied, MD
Education

Robert H. Beekman III, MD, FACC, is an interventional pediatric cardiologist and professor of pediatric cardiology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He is currently the chair of ACC’s Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Section and also is the chair of the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative.

Olivia Hung

The Basics of Solid Finances For Female FITs

June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016 | Olivia Hung, MD
Career Development

Whenever our Women in Cardiology group gets together, we always end up talking about rotations, careers and family. But what about financial matters? Most women who file for bankruptcy do so because of divorce, serious medical problems, or a job loss – in other words, when they lose their source of income. While female cardiology fellows-in-training are at very low risk of losing their income source (after all, a residency or fellowship offers outstanding job security), we do have our own questions and worries with respect to daily expenses, debt, investments, retirement and lifestyle.

Fernando Iñarra Talboy

A New Course For the Mexican Society of Cardiology

June 22, 2016

June 22, 2016 | Fernando Iñarra Talboy, MD
International

Founded in 1935 by Ignacio Chávez, MD, the Mexican Society of Cardiology spearheaded cardiovascular research and teaching in Mexico. The Mexican Society of Cardiology helped spread the specialty around the country, leading later to the foundation of the National Institute of Cardiology and the Interamerican Society of Cardiology in 1944. Almost 80 years later, the effort seems to have worn off.

Ravi Hira, MD

A Few Parting Thoughts on Career Development

June 15, 2016

June 15, 2016 | Ravi S. Hira, MD, FACC
Career Development

As the year and another stage in your career draw to a close, I hope you have all found the career opportunities and jobs that you were looking for. I have shared a few choice words of advice from those who have gone before me that have helped me tremendously over the past year.

Chapters

Estate Planning – Basic Steps For the Young Cardiologist

June 15, 2016

June 15, 2016 | Marshall Weintraub & Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

Estate planning is one of the last areas of planning we often see our clients address. This is not because they do not value it, but because these items may seem either too daunting or morbid to place at the top of one's to-do list. Nevertheless, if you have a young family or plan to start one soon, we encourage you to consider these important items to ease the burden on your loved ones in the unfortunate event they are needed. This article will cover four areas of basic estate planning – wills, trusts, other documents and life insurance.

Chapters

ACC.16 Recap: 2016 Merck Research Award

May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016 | Philip S. Hall, MD
Education

ACC's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.16) in Chicago was my first time attending ACC's annual meeting, and it was a great privilege to be there as a recipient of the ACC/Merck Fellowship Award. I arrived on Saturday and at the Merck reception that evening I got to meet Jainy Savla, MD, an FIT from UT Southwestern and Pritha P. Gupta, MD, an FIT from the University of California, Los Angeles, two of my co-awardees, as well as several previous recipients of the award, celebrating the 35th anniversary of the award.

Chapters

ACC.16 Recap: 2016 Young Investigator Award

May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016 | Saurav Chatterjee, MD
Education

Participating in the Young Investigator Awards (YIA) competition at the 65th Annual Scientific Sessions (ACC.16) was an enormous opportunity – previous contestants include some of the luminaries in academic cardiology. So it was indeed with trepidation that I submitted an abstract for the competition. As a prior finalist in 2012 (as an internal medicine resident), I knew that to be selected as a finalist entailed a favorable constellation of hard work, meticulous science and serendipity.

Focus on ACC’s NY Chapter: Interview With Shubhika Srivastava, MBBS, FACC, and Antonio Gabriel Cabrera, MD, FACC

May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016 | Edon Rabinowitz, MD
Chapter Engagement

As a fellow constantly on the move in my home institution, it's easy to forget that the ACC has a community of cardiologists ready to support and provide FITs with guidance, so I sat down with Shubhika Srivastava, MBBS, FACC, and Antonio Gabriel Cabrera, MD, FACC, at ACC's 65th Annual Scientific Sessions (ACC.16) in Chicago, IL. Dr Cabrera moderated a small group discussion on "Getting the Most Out of the Mentor/Mentee Relationship."

Helping Congress Transform Cardiovascular Care

May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016 | Michelle Hadley, DO
Advocacy

I have always wanted to be impactful. In October, I attended ACC's 2015 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. We met with our representatives on the House side, as well as with our senators. Unfortunately at that time, my district congressman was not in DC. Therefore, I took it upon myself to schedule a meeting in Worcester, MA, to meet with him.

Chapters

Acknowledgement of FIT Section Contributors

May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016
Career Development

The FIT Section has grown tremendously in membership, but also in recognition. Our success as a section would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of FITs from around the country and world. We are deeply indebted for the time and dedication of FITs who have contributed to various initiatives from our section. We look forward to getting more of you involved – please do not hesitate to reach out to us for various opportunities.

Chapters

Conversations With Cardiologists: Mukesh Jain, MD

May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016 | John J. Lazarus, MD & Mohammed Sabeh, MD
Career Development

Mukesh Jain, MD, is the Ellery Sedgwick Jr. Chair & Distinguished Scientist, scientific director of the Harrington Discovery Institute, chief scientific officer at the University Hospitals Health System, and vice dean for Medical Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. He is also the immediate past president of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). Dr. Jain is widely recognized for pioneering studies establishing a family of transcription factors termed Kruppel-like factors (KLF) as nodal determinants of metabolism and immunity, which influences the cardiovascular system. He has translated this corpus of work in animals and humans, and established KLFs as key targets of pharmacologic agents. Dr. Jain is also a gifted mentor with an exceptional track record of developing independent investigators, efforts that have resulted in mentorship awards from Harvard Medical School and University Hospital Case Medical Center.

Olivia Hung

The Coffee Machine

May 12, 2016

May 12, 2016 | Olivia Hung, MD
Career Development

As we are surveying the new suite that will accommodate our growing laboratory group, I wonder aloud about getting a coffee machine. My female colleague immediately replies, “No. We’ll be the ones always cleaning it.” My first love was chemistry, which germinated when my seventh grade science teacher carefully held a bucket of mercury for us to observe and later mentioned to me that I had an innate aptitude for the subject. My passion held firm through high school chemistry (where my teacher spent six months teaching us the definition of a mole) and a freshman general chemistry course in college (during which my professor spent an entire lecture wrongly deriving the Schrödinger equation), and blossomed once I encountered the power of aldol mechanisms in organic chemistry.

Nicholas Stephen Amoroso, MD

Focus on NY-ACC Chapter: Perspectives from New York Downstate Chapter Leadership

May 12, 2016

May 12, 2016 | Nicholas S. Amoroso, MD
Chapter Engagement

Smadar Kort, MD, FACC, is a clinical professor of medicine and director of non-invasive cardiac imaging at Stony Brook University Medical Center in Roslyn, NY. Dr. Kort is also the immediate past downstate governor of ACC’s New York Chapter. She attended medical school at the Sackler School of Medicine in Israel, completed residency at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, and an advanced echocardiography fellowship at New York University.

Monica Verdoia

ACC.16 recap: The Melting Pot of Tradition, Innovation and International Cardiology

May 12, 2016

May 12, 2016 | Monica Verdoia, MD
International

Wind of innovation and international cardiology was blowing during the first weekend of April in Chicago, where ACC’s 65th Annual Scientific Session took place. Innovation in terms of the changeover of ACC’s leadership, with Richard A. Chazal, MD, FACC, succeeding Kim Allan Williams Sr., MD, MACC, in the role of president of the College, but also innovation in terms of new scientific discoveries, with the presentation of late breaking trials and drugs newly released on the cardiovascular market.

Nicholas Ierovante

Optimal Exercise Dosing: Is There Such a Thing as Too Much?

May 12, 2016

May 13, 2016 | Nick Ierovante, DO
Education

The general consensus amongst physicians is that regular exercise is typically good for overall health and inactivity is typically bad. For many of us, being a FIT has meant several city, state, country or even continent moves over the last several years. While many of us strive to engage in healthy behaviors including regular exercise, these frequent major life changes can make sticking to a routine difficult. As a mean to fight these changes, many fellows choose endurance running.

Sandoval

ACC.16 Recap: 2016 Young Investigator Award

May 12, 2016

May 13, 2016 | Yader Sandoval, MD
Education

Dr. Sandoval is a co-investigator within Fred Apple, PhD’s Cardiac Biomarkers Trials Laboratory at the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, where he collaborates with both Dr. Apple, (Laboratory Medicine and Pathology) and Stephen W. Smith, MD (Emergency Medicine). Dr. Sandoval’s research has focused on the use of cardiac troponin in acute myocardial infarction (MI), including the diagnosis, classification, management and risk-stratification of myocardial injury and MI. Dr. Sandoval presented the following results at ACC’s 65th Annual Scientific Sessions (ACC.16) at the Young Investigator Awards Competition session and was honored as one of the five finalists during the Convocation Ceremony:

Fellows in Training

Disability Insurance – Three Common Questions

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 | Marshall Weintraub & Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

Spring is in the air. Along with it comes graduating medical students, interviews and, for cardiologists entering practice, questions on how best to protect their incomes. We would first like to agree with you that disability insurance is not the most exciting area of building your financial plan. With that said, we would like to remind you that properly protecting your income in the event of a long-term disability is one of the most important planning steps you can take. This article addresses three common questions we receive when discussing disability insurance with cardiologists.

Chapters

ACC.16 FIT Forum Recap: Scholarship and Education

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 | Akhil Narang, MD
Education

The Fellows in Training (FIT) Forum Scholarship and Education session was a tremendous success! Prominent cardiologists, including Clyde Yancy, MD, MACC, chief of cardiology at Northwestern University), Nihar Desai, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale University, Jonathan P. Piccini Sr., MD, FACC, associate professor at Duke University, and Michael Broman, MD, clinical instructor at the University of Chicago, spoke eloquently on building a successful research portfolio during fellowship and beyond.

Chapters

ACC.16 FIT Forum Recap: Stump the Professor

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 | Michael W. Cullen, MD, FACC
Education

For several years running, the 'Stump the Professor FIT Forum' has provided ACC Annual Scientific Session attendees with a fun, engaging and lively educational opportunity. This year's iteration was no different. Three FITs, Ronnie Ramadan, MD, from Beth Israel Deaconess, Tala K. Al-Talib, MD, from the University of Maryland, and Brandon William Calenda, MD, from Mount Sinai, each presented a unique and perplexing case to our panel of expert "professors," Thomas M. Bashore, MD, FACC, Patrick T. O'Gara, MD, MACC, and Carole A. Warnes, MD, FACC.

Chapters

ACC.16 FIT Jeopardy: A Test of Clinical Knowledge and Reflexes

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 | Kavitha Kalvakuri, MD, Adam Oesterle, MD, & Gurpreet Singh, MD
Education

Our experience at ACC.16 was so fascinating, inspirational and full of interesting moments that we don't know where to start. We knew that this meeting would provide a great learning experience, and we were feeling lucky that this event was happening in Chicago.

Chapters

Acing the Transition: What FITs Need to Know to Launch a Successful Career

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 | Seth Sheldon, MD
Education

Varsha K. Tanguturi, MD, and I had the pleasure of moderating the FIT session entitled, "Acing the Transition: What FITs Need to Know to Launch A Successful Career". We are grateful to the ACC for hosting this unique session and to our speakers, who shared a wealth of wisdom.

Chapters

Training and Testing Mismatch in CVD: Spotlight on the ABIM CVD Examination

April 20, 2016

April 20, 2016 | Ankur Kalra, MD & Ronnie Ramadan, MD
Education

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and its standardized testing for certification and recertification in cardiovascular disease, has been in the news lately, unfortunately for the wrong reasons. Cardiologists nationwide have voiced concerns over the relevance, sanctity and validity of the certification process and maintenance of certification (MOC), forcing the ABIM to revisit its policies and strategies, and hopefully partner with peers nationwide to bring about reforms that are pivotal for both its relevance in the current era, and its sustenance.

Chapters

Making the Most of ACC.16: A Guide For Fellows in Training

March 16, 2016

March 16, 2016 | Akhil Narang, MD & Shashank S. Sinha, MD
Education

Greetings! We hope you are as excited as we are for ACC's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.16), held April 2 – 4 in Chicago! As the conference is just around the corner, we wish to orient you to the vast array of exciting programming for FITs. We recognize that it can be quite overwhelming to navigate the multiple sessions held at the annual meeting. Thus, we hope to highlight several sessions that FITs will find especially high-yield.

LeBude

Reducing Diagnostic Errors: The Next Frontier in Patient Safety

March 8, 2016

March 8, 2016 | Bryan LeBude, MD
Education

Each year approximately 5 percent of U.S. outpatients experience a diagnostic error in their care. The numbers are staggering. Diagnostic errors contribute to about 10 percent of patient deaths and account for up to 17 percent of adverse events in hospitals. Diagnostic errors lead to patient harm by delaying necessary treatment, propagating unnecessary and sometimes detrimental therapies, and culminating in both psychological damage and financial turmoil. They are the leading category of paid medical malpractice claim, and compared with other types, are twice as likely to have contributed to the patient’s death.

Travis Taylor

Perspectives From Indiana Chapter Leadership

March 8, 2016

March 8, 2016 | Travis Taylor, MD
Chapter Engagement

Interview with Edward T.A. Fry, MD, FACC, the current president of ACC Indiana Chapter and Raymond E. Dusman Jr., MD, FACC,is an electrophysiologist who serves as the president-elect of ACC Indiana Chapter and as the chief physician executive for the Parkview Health system.

Jon Hassel

Getting Involved on the Chapter Level in Indiana

March 8, 2016

March 8, 2016 | Jonathan Hassel, MD
Chapter Engagement

The ACC Indiana Chapter remains active at the local and the national level. Each year, the ACC Indiana Chapter selects two third year fellows to be involved in the ACC Indiana Council who serve as voting members of the committee and represent the FIT voice for current issues. This year I am serving the representative from Indiana University (IU), and Travis Taylor, MD, is serving as the representative from St. Vincent’s. The committee  plans the annual meeting, addresses state and national concerns of its members and advocates for cardiovascular interests within the state legislator.

Sergio Buccheri, MD

Collaborating Among Young Cardiovascular Clinicians

March 8, 2016

March 8, 2016 | Sergio Buccheri, MD
International

In recent years, scientific societies in the cardiovascular field have created specific groups for fellows and young specialists. This represents an amazing effort toward young fellows’ active involvement and an important opportunity in career development for young cardiologists. The FIT Section of the ACC is one of the best examples of how initiatives and support for fellows can provide an extremely valuable opportunity to succeed in their careers. The growing number of young health care providers outside the U.S. also reflects shared needs by young cardiologists in a global scenario.

Fellows in Training

Conversations With Cardiologists: Stanley J. Chetcuti, MD, FACC

February 17, 2016

Feb 17, 2016 | Devraj Sukul, MD, and John J. Lazarus, MD, PhD
Career Development

Stanley J. Chetcuti, MD, FACC, serves as the Eric J. Topol Collegiate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, and director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the University of Michigan Health System. In his interview, he discusses his path to interventional cardiology, as well as career advice for FITs.

Fellows in Training

Recent Market Events – What They Mean For the Long-Term Investor

February 17, 2016

Feb 17, 2016 | Marshall Weintraub and Michael Merrill, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Career Development

If you have seen any news about the stock market recently, then there is a good chance you have noticed the negative performance over the first few weeks of the year. In fact, the first two weeks of 2016 were the US stock market's worst start to a calendar year in history, including the Great Depression era. Headlines like the previous sentence often receive a second glance, yet cardiologists do not always have time to fully investigate events in the global markets, what these mean for them, and what action, if any, they should take. This article will review some of the key macroeconomic events that have driven recent market performance. We then provide three principles for the long-term investor that has many years until retirement.

JW Hansen

Avoiding the Oculostenotic Reflex

February 12, 2016

February 12, 2016 | James W. Hansen, DO
Education

Reflexes are an unconscious motor response to an outward stimulus, hard-wired into our neurologic system. The oculostenotic reflex is the stent deployment upon visualization of coronary disease. As cardiologists, the urge to fix things is to be understood and expected. We have gone through many years of training, seen many patients, seen many of them die, and now find ourselves in a unique position of making a difference. Or are we? Our nature implores us to fix what we know to be broken, to help one of our fellow humans. How can we not be saving someone’s life? And yet, the data tells us that we may not be.

ACC Georgia Chapter: Engaging FITs on the State Level

February 12, 2016

February 12, 2016 | Thomas Riddell, MD
Chapter Engagement

The ACC Georgia Chapter promotes high standards in the practice of cardiovascular medicine and surgery in the state of Georgia and maximizes the quality of cardiovascular care received by the residents of the state. The Chapter hosted its annual meeting in November of 2015 at the Ritz Carlton at Lake Oconee. The three-day conference was led by Donald A. Page, MD, FACC, president of the ACC Georgia Chapter.

Monica Verdoia

Learning From Experience: Advice From a Prominent Italian Cardiologist

February 11, 2016

February 11, 2016 | Monica Verdoia, MD
International

“Having a good mentor” is probably one of main goals for young cardiologists, according to Professor Ciro Indolfi, MD, a full professor at Università della Magna Graecia (UMG),in Catanzaro, Italy, where he is also chief of the Cardiology Board and Interventional Cardiology Unit. As an interventionalist, he has served as the president of the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology (GISE) and he currently heads the Regional Centre of Excellence for the Endovascular Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease at the Campus Germaneto, UMG.

Fernando Iñarra Talboy

A Healthier Mexico: Engaging All Health Care Providers in Prevention and Heart Health

February 11, 2016

February 11, 2016 | Fernando Iñarra Talboy, MD
International

As cardiologists we have a huge responsibility with the general population, since the leading causes of death worldwide are of cardiovascular nature. We must focus not only in direct patient care and primary care physician education, but also we should be deeply involved with legislators and policymakers to ensure that the health care systems evolve in order to address this global epidemic.

Nicholas Ierovante

Fitness For the FIT - practicing what you preach

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Nick Ierovante, DO
Education

As I sat there in the office discussing Mr. R’s recent hospitalization, I felt fine discussing his cath findings, percutaneous coronary intervention and new medications. Though soon after, I noticed a familiar apprehensiveness coming from myself. As I was discussing his statin regimen, the little voice in my head started quietly whispering. As I started to discuss his cardiac rehab and diet modifications, it grew louder. By the time I was discussing daily activity recommendations, my inner monologue was screaming “HYPOCRITE!!!”

Jeremy Nicolarsen

ACHD Career Pathways - Working in a Large Health System

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Jeremy Nicolarsen, MD
Career Development

Careers in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are on the rise. In the first of this three part interview series, we’ll look at ACHD care in a large health system – a much less common but growing practice model. In this installment, we’ll hear from Alison Meadows, MD, PhD, director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program for Northern California Kaiser Permanente. Meadows received a PhD in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and taught in the School of Engineering before matriculating at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. After residency and fellowship, Meadows was on faculty at Boston Children’s Hospital for two years, followed by three years at University of California San Francisco (UCSF), before taking her current position.

Franklyn Arias

Conversations With Cardiologists: Jose Fernando Guadalajara-Boo MD, FACC

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Franklyn Agustin Colon Arias, MD
International

Guadalajara-Boo is one of Mexico’s most prominent cardiologists, making great contributions to the Mexican school of cardiology and internationally. With more than 50 years of experience, Guadalajara-Boo has published over 101 original articles in Mexican and foreign indexed journals. He is the author and coauthor of 16 cardiology books and related topics. He is also a member of several cardiology societies around the world.

Nisha A. Gilotra

A Day of Heart Failure at Heart House: The Mid-Atlantic Capital Cardiology Symposium

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Nisha Gilotra, MD
Chapter Engagement

The Mid-Atlantic Capital Cardiology Symposium took place November 21, 2015 at ACC’s Heart House in Washington, DC. The room was packed this year, with academicians, private practitioners and trainees from Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania. The day was filled with exciting educational sessions, research presentations and networking opportunities under the supervision of the director Michael A. Solomon, MD, FACC, chief of cardiology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Fellows in Training

Training Pathways in Peripheral Vascular Disease For FITs

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Grant W. Reed, MD and Heather L. Gornik, MD, FACC
Career Development

Peripheral artery disease affects 8.5 million U.S. individuals ≥ 40 years of age (approximately 12 percent of the U.S. adult population), and its prevalence is growing in developed nations. Other peripheral vascular diseases (PVD) that lead to major health events and quality of life impairment include venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), chronic venous insufficiency and abdominal aortic aneurysm. As the population ages, the prevalence of PVD is expected to grow, and the demand for vascular services is expected to expand by approximately 20 – 30 percent in upcoming years.

Advocacy

The Emerging Advocates Program: Spreading ACC's Advocacy Message

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Aaron P. Kithcart, MD, PhD
Advocacy

Cardiologists take great pride in providing the best care possible for patients, but could we be doing more? You may not realize that some of the most important decisions that affect our patients' health aren't made in the exam room. Decisions regarding insurance coverage, reimbursement and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals are made miles away in state capitals and Washington, DC, and they have just as big of an impact on our patients' care. You likely already know that the ACC supports its members through evidence-based guidelines and innovative registries, but you may not know that the College is also very active in legislation and regulation. It is here where we see the importance of advocacy.

Ravi Hira, MD

Important Considerations When Interviewing After Fellowship

January 19, 2016

Jan 19, 2016 | Ravi Hira, MD and Payal Kohli, MD
Career Development

As we begin the new year and further explore the life-altering and career-changing decisions ahead of us, we wanted to share a few thoughts on the process of interviewing. None of us are new to the process; medical school, residency, and fellowship interviews were challenging but this may be the last set of interviews some of us will go through. Fortunately, on this occasion, travel costs are covered by the potential future employer and, for many of us, it may be the first time we feel "wanted".