Division of Cardiology

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:

9 months clinical cardiology (CCU, inpatient cardiology, consultation)
4 months diagnostic cardiac catheterization lab
6 months non-invasive lab (minimum 3 months echo and 2 months nuclear)

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:

3-4 months diagnostic cath
2 months echo
3-4 months clinical cardiology/CCU
1 month EP
1 month nuclear
1 month outpatient pediatric cardiology/adult CHD/cardiac CT/cardiac rehab

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.

Conferences

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 from 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 2010

Joshua Mozes, M.D.
Medical School: New York Medical College
Residency Training: The Mount Sinai Medical Center

Vishal Goyal, M.D.
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Residency Training: University of California

Reem Haddad, M.D.
Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Residency Training: Duke University Medical Center

Fellows

First Year

Nathan Boyer, M.D.
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
Residency Training: Oregon Health and Science University

Yasmin Hamirani, M.D.
Medical School: Rawalpindi Medical College
Residency Training: St. Agnes Hospital

Carlos Macias-Argote, M.D.
Medical School: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Residency Training: University of New Mexico Health Science Ce

Selby Oberton, M.D.
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch
Residency Training: Baylor College of Medicine

Saadi Siddiqi, M.D
Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NY Institute of Technology
Residency Training: University Hospital at Stony Brook

Second Year
Khaled Esmaeel Awad, M.D.
Medical School: University of Mansoura
Residency Training: Wayne State University

Juan Martinez, M.D.
Medical School: University of Texas
Residency Training: University of Texas

Daniel Noonan, M.D.
Medical Training: University of Missouri
Residency Training: University of Minnesota

Tejpal Randhawa, M.D.
Medical School: Ross University Dominica
Residency Training: University of Illinois/Mercy Hospital

Third 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

Application Process

Applications are accepted thru the ERAS system (www.aamc.org/eras). Applications are accepted starting November 15, 2009 and must be complete by February 20, 2010. 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, 2010 and interview no later than May 07, 2010. computer

Contact Information:

Gerald A. Charlton, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Program Director

Chris Gallegos
Program Administrator
University of New Mexico
MSC10 5550
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone: (505) 272-6020
Fax: (505) 272-4356
Email: chrgallegos@salud.unm.edu