Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Training Program
The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at the University of New Mexico involves three years of clinical cardiology training in an active academic medical center and its affiliated Veterans Administration Hospital. Currently, there are four fellowship positions annually.
Board eligibility requires a minimum of three years of training. Core clinical cardiology training is based on the program requirements of the ACGME and the guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology (COCATS II). Basic training in cardiovascular medicine required for ABIM certification, and corresponding to Level 1 training per the COCATS document, includes:
Photo by Dennis B. Clark
This level of training prepares an individual to perform at the level of a consultant in cardiovascular disease. Additional training is required for individuals desiring to independently perform and interpret studies, such as diagnostic cath, echocardiography, and nuclear imaging, corresponding to Level 2 COCATS training.
The first year of fellowship is devoted to clinical training. Rotations occur at both University Hospital and the VA, and include:
Outpatient continuity clinic begins in the first year and continues throughout the duration of training. Fellows have clinic one half day per week, alternating between the University and VA.
The second year of training involves similar rotations, but with more independent decision making in clinical care settings. Research time is allotted with the expectation of preparation and submission of an abstract and/or article for peer review during the third year of fellowship.
The third year of training is designed as a transition from fellowship to future career plans, whether that is further subspecialty training, an academic career, or clinical practice. There is an emphasis on completing rotations to achieve Level 2 training in desired aspects of cardiology, as well as completion of the research requirements as outlined above. Fellows are expected to further develop their independent decision-making and teaching abilities.
Weekly didactic lectures are provided to cover a broad range of cardiovascular topics. There is a Core Curriculum lecture weekly, as well as weekly Graphics conferences, which alternate between VA cath conference (biweekly) and echo, EP/ECG, nuclear, and CT/MRI imaging conferences. The UNM cath conference is also held twice per month.
There is a monthly Journal Club, focusing on new, state of the art articles pertinent to the practice of cardiology, as well as a monthly didactic ECG conference, monthly combined cardiology/CT surgery case conference, and a monthly combined cardiology/vascular surgery/interventional radiology PVD case conference. Research conference is held monthly where fellows present their own research ideas and projects for critique and suggestions. Additionally, Cardiology Grand Rounds are held approximately 8 times per year, with nationally known speakers presenting interesting topics.
Affiliated Hospitals
University Hospital is on the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center campus. It is a 368-bed general and tertiary care hospital including full pediatric services, outpatient facilities and is the only level I trauma center in the state of New Mexico. The hospital also operates its own air service, including fixed-wing and helicopter. The hospital has a coronary care unit, cath lab, electrophysiology lab, echo lab, heart station, nuclear cardiology laboratory, and a 20-bed cardiac step-down unit. It provides the fellows with several unique educational opportunities, including pediatric cardiology and cardiac trauma.
The New Mexico VA Health Care System is a 350-bed tertiary care
hospital that serves veterans fro
m a four state area, active duty Air Force,
and Air Force dependents. The hospital includes a coronary care unit, cath
lab, electrophysiology lab, echo lab, heart station, a 12-bed CCU/cardiac
step-down unit, and a 20-bed telemetry unit, outpatient facilities, and
considerable research facilities. The VA Hospital provides the trainees with
the opportunity to deal with severe coronary artery disease, degenerative
valve disease, and malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
Incoming Fellows for 2008
Nathan Boyer, M.D.
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
Residency Training: Oregon Health and Science University
Carlos Macias-Argote, M.D.
Medical School: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Residency Training: University of New Mexico Health Science Center
Selby Oberton, M.D.
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch
Residency Training: Baylor College of Medicine
Tejpal Randhawa, M.D.
Medical School: Ross University Dominica
Residency Training: University of Illinois/Mercy Hospital
Fellows
First Year
Khaled Esmaeel Awad, M.D.
Medical School: University of Mansoura
Residency Training:
Wayne State University
Reem Haddad, M.D.
Medical School: Duke University
Residency Training: University of New Mexico
Second Year
Jude Gabaldon, M.D.
Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Residency Training: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Tim Issac, M.D.
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Residency Training: Baylor College of Medicine
Joseph Joson, M.D.
Medical School: East Virginia Medical School
Residency Training: University of California at Davis
Third Year
Abinash Achrekar, M.D.
Medical School: Michigan State University
Residency Training: University of New Mexico
Matthew Fraley, M.D.
Medical School: Southern Illinois University
Residency Training: St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
Eric Haas, M.D.
Medical School: University of Washington
Residency Training: University of California-Davis
Jeremy Lum, M.D.
Medical School: University of Hawaii
Residency Training: University of Hawaii
Mel Peralta, M.D.
Medical School: University of Texas – Galveston
Residency Training: University of New Mexico
Armin Foghi, M.D.
Medical School: Ross University
Residency Training: Graduate Hospital
).
Applications are accepted starting November 15, 2008 and must be complete by February
22, 2009. Applications must
include a completed application form, three letters of recommendation, a
Dean’s letter, official medical school transcript, and personal statement.
We will begin interviews March 1, 2008 and interview no later than 