About the Program
Welcome to the Geriatric Cardiology Fellowship Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). We are excited to welcome applications for our upcoming training cycle. Our program is looking for highly motivated physicians who are passionate about improving cardiovascular outcomes for older adults through clinical expertise and translational research.
- Positions: We accept one (1) fellow per year.
- Start Date: Training for the inaugural position will begin July 2026.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be Board Eligible or Board Certified in Internal Medicine from an ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine residency program.
Why Choose UTMB?
Fellows at UTMB benefit from a diverse patient pathology and state-of-the-art facilities, including the Jennie Sealy Hospital with its advanced Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology Laboratories. Additionally, our strong partnership with the Sealy Center on Aging and the Galveston Heart Study provides unparalleled resources for longitudinal research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
How to Apply
Applicants may send their ERAS packet and all required documents as listed below to:
Leslie Elgin | Christine Villarreal |
Program Overview
The Geriatric Cardiology Fellowship at UTMB is a comprehensive, four-year combined program (PGY-4 to PGY-7) designed to create unique specialists in Cardio-Geriatrics. The curriculum is structured to fulfill COCATS requirements for non-invasive cardiology while providing deep expertise in the complexities of cardiovascular disease in the aging population.
Our program emphasizes:
- Clinical Excellence: Master the management of polypharmacy, frailty, and cognitive impairment in cardiac patients.
- Advanced Imaging: Focused training to achieve COCATS Level II proficiency in non-invasive imaging (Echo, CT, MRI, and Nuclear).
- Cutting-Edge Research: One full year of protected time dedicated to outcomes and translational research within the Galveston Heart Study.
Upon successful completion, fellows are eligible for board certification in both Cardiovascular Disease and Geriatric Medicine.
Integrated Curriculum Components
Cardiovascular Clinical Excellence
Fellows gain mastery in acute and chronic cardiac care through a diverse set of rotations:
- Inpatient Services: General Cardiology (White Team), Advanced Heart Failure (Red Team), and the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU).
- Technical & Diagnostic: Diagnostic Catheterization, Electrophysiology (device interrogation and arrhythmia management), and Hemodynamic Assessment.
- Advanced Non-Invasive Imaging: Sequential training in TTE/TEE, SPECT/PET, Cardiac CT, and Cardiac MRI to achieve Level II proficiency.
Comprehensive Geriatric Medicine
Geriatric principles are integrated to provide a holistic view of the elderly patient:
- Geriatric Services: Inpatient Geriatric Consults, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R).
- Long-Term & Post-Acute Care: Longitudinal experiences in Nursing Home environments (Long-Term Care) and Hospice/Palliative Care.
- Geriatric Syndromes: Specialized focus on falls, memory disorders, polypharmacy, and frailty within the cardiac population.
Longitudinal Research: The Galveston Heart Study
Research is not an isolated block but a primary thread throughout the four-year program:
- Phase 1: Foundation: Protocol development and database familiarization.
- Phase 2: Execution: Data collection, database analysis, and clinical trial design.
- Phase 3: Dissemination: Manuscript preparation, grant writing, and presentations at national cardiology and geriatric meetings.
Didactics & Longitudinal Experience
Fellows are fully integrated into the academic life of the Cardiology Division:
- Conferences: Daily Noon Conference, Cardiology Grand Rounds, and weekly Core Curriculum Lectures.
- Specialized Learning: Weekly Imaging (Echo/CT/MRI) conferences and Journal Club.
- Continuity Clinics: Fellows maintain a weekly cardiology clinic for the first three years, adding a separate geriatrics clinic in Year 3, and culminating in a combined Cardio-Geriatrics clinic in Year 4.
Application Requirements
Your application is considered complete when we have received all of the following:
- ERAS Application
- CV
- Personal Statement
- Medical School transcript
- All available USMLE Steps 1, 2CK, 2CS & 3 transcripts and if applicable, ECFMG status report
- Current list of publications, presentations and research
- Three to four letters of recommendation (at least one letter must be from the IM Program Director
- Successful completion of ACGME accredited Internal Medicine Residency Program
Application Timeline
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