Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

Overview

Overview

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

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:

  1. Invasive electrophysiology laboratory, in which fellows perform electrophysiology and device-related procedures. (This forms the core of the fellowship.)
  2. 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.

Applications for July 2025 Weill Cornell Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship will be accepted after July 3, 2024, with a deadline of September 1, 2024.

All applicants must submit the required documents through Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

We are part of the Medical Specialties Matching Program at the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which means that on August 24, 2022, registration begins with NRMP at www.nrmp.org. Click on specialty match (Cornell Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology) or call (202) 400-2233 or (866) 653-NRMP (6767) for more information.

Application Schedule

  • Notifications are sent out in August 2024 to schedule virtual interviews via Zoom.
  • September 25, 2024, is the earliest date to file a rank order list on the NRMP website
  • November 6, 2024, is the deadline to file rank order list on the NRMP website by 9 pm EST
  • December 4, 2024, the match results are announced at noon EST

Use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) through your Dean's Office and join the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

ERAS Program Code is: 1543523048

The NRMP Program Code is: 1492154S0

International Applicants

Applicants should have outstanding letters of recommendation from their clinical or research supervisors in the United States, substantive research experience, and valid ECFMG certification. Board scores will be reviewed. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital 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

(646) 962-3421 or jac9029@med.cornell.edu

Zenaya Black
Senior Program Coordinator
(212) 746-8960 or zeb4004@med.cornell.edu

Make an Appointment

(646) 962-5558

Weill Cornell Medicine
Division of Cardiology

1305 York Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10021