Cardiology Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship Message from the Program Director Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Clinical Expertise Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Home About Campus & Community Resources Medicine: Cardiology > Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program Overview The Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is designed to teach fourth-year fellows the indications and contraindications of catheter-based interventions, as well as the risks, limitations and complications associated with these procedures. The interventional fellow is expected to perform a minimum of 250 coronary interventions during the year of training, as well as numerous peripheral vascular, valvular and adult structural heart procedures. Fellows develop the skills required to select appropriate patients for specific interventional techniques and are involved in post-procedural care. They also acquire the skills to perform and interpret coronary angiographic films, hemodynamics, intravascular ultrasound, intracoronary Doppler flow and intracoronary pressure monitoring. The Interventional Cardiology Fellowship program also offers a post-procedure ambulatory clinic for long-term risk factor modification and outcome assessment in patients undergoing coronary, valvular or peripheral vascular intervention. Fellows learn to use intravascular ultrasound, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, cutting-balloon angioplasty, intracoronary stents, rotational atherectomy, distal protection devices, and pressure and Doppler flow wires. UCI catheterization labs primarily utilize radial artery access, where fellows also learn to perform percutaneous coronary intervention. Fellows also participate in clinical trials on the effects of pharmacological therapies and new interventional devices. Our faculty and trainees foster a friendly environment that emphasizes collegiality and cooperation. Fellows are encouraged to focus on their own wellness and a healthy work-life balance. Faculty are supportive of individual fellows’ growth and eager to cater training to their specific strengths, interests and needs. After completing the one-year interventional training program, fellows are expected to be well prepared to earn board certification in interventional cardiology. Fellowship Curriculum The interventional curriculum follows the guidelines established by the ACGME residency review committee for interventional cardiology. The program provides training, education and experience in the evaluation and management of a wide variety of patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions, including coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and other acute coronary ischemic syndromes, valvular heart disease, adult structural heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Led by Pranav M. Patel, MD, the program gives fellows intensive experience in interventional procedures under the supervision of leading UCI faculty cardiologists. Fourth-year clinical training is divided between UCI Medical Center in Orange, which has the region’s most advanced cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology facilities, at UCI Douglas Hospital and at MemorialCare in Long Beach. Interventional fellows are required to present didactic material during lectures, conferences, journal clubs and/or medical grand rounds. Weekly didactic sessions and conferences provide fellows the opportunity to gain knowledge about the clinical decision-making process. Interventional fellows participate in ongoing clinical and basic research studies and collaborate with Division of Cardiology faculty members. Fellows are expected to assist in the management and follow-up of the research subjects. They also are encouraged to pursue independent research projects. Application Process Applications for the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship program are available in early July every year through ERAS. We no longer accept paper applications. For questions about the application process, visit ERAS online or call 215-966-3940. To be eligible for the fellowship programs, applicants must have: Completed residency training in internal medicine. Board-certification or board-eligibility in internal medicine. A California medical license before beginning the fellowship. U.S. citizenship or have fulfilled residency or visa requirements before starting the fellowship. We do not accept H1B visas at this time. ERAS applications should include the following: Current curriculum vitae A one-page personal statement Scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination A current photo A dean’s letter At least three letters of recommendation, including one from a past or current program director Applications for July 2025 positions will be accepted beginning July 1, 2024. Interviews are arranged by an ERAS invitation after a thorough review of completed applications. Interviews will occur in September 2024 and October 2024. Salary and Benefits For current information regarding fellows salary and benefits, please visit the Residents & Fellows Salary, Benefits, Policies page on our UCI Medical Education website. View Salary & Benefits Resident/Fellow Union Benefits Fellows and residents training at UCI Medical Center are unionized. Union benefits are valid strictly from July 1 to June 30 each year of training. Funding is not rolled over year to year. Below are the union benefits that apply to cardiology fellows: Two white coats provided for entire training $120/month for UCI Medical Center cafeteria Up to $1,500 in reimbursements for Educational/Conference fees Reimbursement of the cost of eligible California medical licenses Reimbursement for ACLS recertification during training Moonlighting Interventional fellows may only moonlight on weekends and for no more than 40 hours a month. Time spent moonlighting will count toward the 80-hour work week limit.