Fellowship Tracks

Division of Cardiology

Track NameTraditional Clinical Fellowship
Duration36 months. Each year has 13 rotations that are approximately four weeks in duration.
GoalTo train outstanding clinical cardiologists for (1) academic practice in the role of a clinician educator, (2) community clinical practice, or (3) additional training in sub-subspecialty cardiology (ACHD, Advanced HF-Transplant, EP, Interventional, or Advanced Imaging).
Structure1st year (12 blocks clinical/1 block research), 2nd year (11 blocks clinical/2 blocks research, 3rd year (0-2 blocks research depending on submissions of research plan*/11-13 clinical for the rest).
Rotation Locations/TypeSee below for general fellowship schedule. 3rd year rotations include 50% “core” rotations and 50% “electives” based on career interests.
How to Join This TrackFellows who match University of Colorado will be assigned to this track as a default.

* Blount Fellowship could support 1 trainee to have up to 3-5 months research depending on depth/scope of submitted research proposal.

 1st Year2nd Year3rd Year
Geography50% at UCHealth Hospital
25% at Denver Health
25% at the VA Hospital		60% at UCHealth Hospital
20% at Denver Health
20% at the VA Hospital		65% at UCHealth Hospital
25% at Denver Health
10% at the VA Hospital
Content30% CCU/Consultative
20% Non-Invasive
20% Invasive
10% Electrophysiology
10% Heart Failure
10% Research		25% Non-Invasive
25% Invasive
10% Electrophysiology
10% Heart Failure
15% Research		50% Clinical
50% Electives Based on Career Goals

 

Track NamePhysician Scientist Training Track
Duration48 months. 2 years mostly clinical then 2 years mostly research.
GoalTo train outstanding physician scientists for careers in academic cardiology, with an emphasis on preparation for research-based faculty positions and the acquisition of junior faculty career development awards including: NIH K series, VA Career Development Award, or AHA Scientist Development Grants.
Structure1st year (12 blocks clinical/1 block research), 2nd year (11 blocks clinical/2 blocks research, 3rd and 4th year (2-3 blocks clinical based on career/research goals†/10-11 blocks research).
How to Join This TrackFellows will need to declare their interest in this track by March of their 2nd year of fellowship and formally apply for the Division of Cardiology NIH supported T32 training grant. The fellowship program director and the T32 selection committee work closely together to give priority to any MD/DO cardiology fellows interested in joining the T32 grant, and then fill positions with external PhD applicants.

† 3 years of half day outpatient clinic is required to be ABIM board eligible. Other clinical rotations will be assigned to maintain clinical competency during research years and dove-tail with research focus. For example, if research focus includes cardiovascular imaging, imaging rotations may be required during 3rd and 4th years.

Track NameCardiovascular Disease (CVD)-Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (CCEP) Pilot 2+2 Program (aka EP Fast-Track)
Duration48 months. 2 years Cardiovascular Disease, 1 year “hybrid”, 1-year clinical EP.
 
GoalAs part of a pilot training program sponsored by the ACC, to provide training in CVD (aka general cardilogy) and CCEP (aka EP) in 4 total years.
Structure1st year (12 blocks clinical CVD/1 block research), 2nd year (12 blocks CVD/1 blocks research, 3rd year (Hybrid Year with 2 blocks clinical CVD‡, 11 blocks CCEP) and 4th year (13 blocks CCEP).
How to Join This TrackFellows will need to declare their interest in this track by March of their 1st year of fellowship. Fellows will need to meet with the Cardiology Fellowship PD and Clinical EP Fellowship PD to discuss their interests in this track and ensure they are meeting competencies in CVD to be eligible for this track. Those fellows who are undecided about careers in EP or desire 3 full years of CVD training, are still eligible for the “Traditional Clinical Fellowship” and can still pursue Clinical EP training afterwards.

‡ 3rd year/Hybrid year will require half day outpatient CVC clinic as it is required to be ABIM board eligible in CVD.

Track NameResearch-Intensive Fellowship Applicant Physician Scientist Training Track
Duration48 months. 2 years mostly research, then 2 years mostly clinical.
GoalTo train outstanding physician scientists for careers in academic cardiology and obtain the most competitive research-based junior faculty positions. Ideally, fellows in this pathway will be able to apply for a junior faculty position at the completion of training with a scored/funded junior faculty career development award including: NIH K series, NIH K99/R00, VA Career Development Award, or AHA Scientist Development Grants.
Structure1st and 2nd years (2 blocks clinical to provide exposure to clinical cardiology/11 blocks research). 3rd and 4th years (11 blocks clinical/2 blocks research).§
How to Join This TrackFellows with substantial research experience prior to joining the fellowship (for example MSTP graduates, advanced degrees including PhDs and Master’s degrees, previous research fellowships) and who have an identified research focus and University of Colorado research mentor are eligible for this pathway. Fellows interesting in this pathway should discuss their intentions during the fellowship interview process and formally apply after matching with the University of Colorado Cardiology Fellowship Program. The fellowship program director and the T32 selection committee work closely together to give priority to these applicants on the Division’s NIH supported T32 training program.

§ 3 years of half day outpatient clinic is required to be ABIM board eligible in CVD.

Program Block Schedule Example

 Year 1: The first year is arranged to expose the fellow to a wide variety of cardiovascular practice across all three clinical sites as well as 4 weeks for dedicated research time.

 

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8 Block 9 Block 10 Block 11 Block 12 Block 13
VA Cath VA Noninvasive VA Consults-CCU Denver Health Noninvasive Denver Health Consults-CCU Denver Health Cath University CCU-Nightfloat University Noninvasive University Heart Failure University Cath Research University CCU-Nightfloat University EP Consults

Example Schedule: CCU/Consult (12 weeks), Echocardiography (8-12 weeks), Cardiac Cath Lab (8-12 weeks), Electrophysiology (4 weeks), Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant (4 weeks), Night Float (4 weeks), Research (4 weeks), Advanced Imaging (2 weeks) 

 

Year 2: The second year allows additional time for research and elective blocks while continuing exposure to core cardiovascular rotations.

 

 

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8 Block 9 Block 10 Block 11 Block 12 Block 13
University Heart Failure University Cath University EP Consults University Noninvasive Research Research VA Noninvasive University Noninvasive Research Outpatient University CCU-Nightfloat Denver Health Cath VA CCU-Consults

Example Schedule:  Research (12 weeks), CCU/Consult (6 weeks), Echocardiography (4-12 weeks), Cardiac Cath Lab (4-8 weeks), Electrophysiology (4 weeks), Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant (4 weeks), Night Float (2 weeks), Advanced Imaging (0-8 weeks) 

 

Year 3: The third year is primarily made up of research or elective time based on the fellow’s career interests

Based on Career Interests:

  • General Cardiology
    Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8 Block 9 Block 10 Block 11 Block 12 Block 13
    University Advanced Imaging University Advanced Imaging University Advanced Imaging University Advanced Imaging University Advanced Imaging University CCU-Nightfloat Research University Cath Denver Health Noninvasive Denver Health Cath Research Denver Health CCU-Consults University Noninvasive

     

  • EP
    Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8 Block 9 Block 10 Block 11 Block 12 Block 13
    University CCU-Nightfloat University EP Consults University Cath EP EP University Noninvasive Research Denver Health Consults EP Denver Health Noninvasive EP VA Cath Research

     

  • Research
Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8 Block 9 Block 10 Block 11 Block 12 Block 13
University CCU-Nightfloat Research Research Research University Noninvasive Research Research Research Research Research Denver Health Consults Research Research