Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program
Over the past several years, there have been unprecedented advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic options available for patients with cardiac arrhythmias, including new ablation techniques and implantable devices with sophisticated capabilities.
At Weill Cornell Medical College, we offer an advanced training fellowship in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (CCEP), which is accredited by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The Cardiac Electrophysiology Service of Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has a high clinical volume related to all aspects of arrhythmia evaluation and treatment. The service is made up of six attending electrophysiologists, assisted by nurse practitioners in the device clinic, nurse practitioners on the inpatient service, and research support staff.
Prospective fellows should understand that a successful career in clinical electrophysiology requires a blend of analytical skills, clinical judgment, and procedural expertise. Many procedures are complex and lengthy, and favorable outcomes depend on persistence as well as skill. Those considering a career in this field should be acquainted with the variety of interventions as well as the range of disease processes treated by electrophysiologists.
Ideal candidates: Those best suited for a CCEP fellowship enjoy the deductive reasoning of electrogram analysis and the challenges of invasive procedures. It is strongly recommended that CCEP fellowship candidates spend time in the invasive laboratory and take part in procedures to gain a sense of the daily demands required of the arrhythmia specialist.
Prior research experience in cardiac arrhythmia management and general cardiology are also considered in our application review process.
Structure
Clinical Rotations
The fellowship consists of two years of intensive clinical training. Fellows undergo extensive training in mapping and ablation of complex arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia including epicardial ablation.
Fellows obtain expertise in device and lead implantation and management, with emphasis on implantable defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization as well as lead extraction with laser energy. A core curriculum in electrophysiology is taught throughout the year by the full-time faculty every week. Sessions on intracardiac electrogram review, journal club, and research are also conducted weekly.
Specific rotations within the fellowship are:
- Invasive electrophysiology laboratory, in which fellows perform electrophysiology and device-related procedures. (This forms the core of the fellowship.)
- Outpatient consultation and device clinic.
Research
The laboratory has multiple research programs, and fellows are expected to take part in projects with the goal of presenting at national meetings and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Current research projects include the investigation of the following:
- Outcomes after atrial fibrillation ablation
- The utility of adenosine testing in pulmonary vein isolation and ablations of other arrhythmias
- The role of intracardiac echocardiography in catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia
- Survival analysis of ICD leads
- Clinical significance of implantable cardiac device-detected atrial high rate episodes
Conferences
- Cardiology grand rounds
- Electrophysiology core course
- Journal club (CCEP fellows)
- Cardiology clinical conference
- Fellows clinical roundtable (every other week)
- Cardiac catheterization conference
- Cardiology fellows journal club
- Friday noon conference (rotating topics)
- Research meeting (CCEP fellows)
Fellowship Program Executive Committee
- Bruce B. Lerman, M.D., Division Chief
- Jim Cheung, M.D., Program Director
- Peter Okin, M.D., Director, Clinical Affairs
Instructions to Applicants
Fellows must be enrolled in or have completed a fellowship in cardiovascular disease. Fellows are accepted into the program after three years of cardiology training. Alternatively, fellows may devote their third year of cardiology fellowship to dedicated EP training, which would be considered the first of two years in the CCEP Fellowship.
All applicants must submit all the required documents to the program through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
ERAS Program Code is: 1543523048
Application Schedule for Fellowship Training Beginning July 1, 2019
Applications are considered from December 1, 2017 to May 1, 2018.
A completed application consists of:
- An application form
- A curriculum vitae
- A personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
Applicants are invited for interviews after the completed applications are received.
International Applicants
Applicants should have substantial research experiences, outstanding letters of recommendation from their clinical and/or research supervisors in the United States and valid ECFMG certification. Though there is no specific board score requirement, a higher score holds greater weight. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Center sponsors J-1 visas only. H1-B visas are not eligible. You will be responsible for retaining an immigration lawyer and for all associated administrative costs.
Contacts
Jim Cheung, M.D.
Program Director
(212) 746-2158, jac9029@med.cornell.edu
Laurice LuSane
Program Coordinator
(212) 746-2218, lal9063@med.cornell.edu