FIT

The FIT representatives for the 2011-2012 year are:

Matthew Parker, M.D. and Osman Faheem, M.D.

Bios:

Matt graduated magna cum laude from Boston University and completed medical school training from Georgetown University School of Medicine. Matt returned to Boston for Internal Medicine Residency at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is currently a third-year general cardiology fellow at University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Matt has a strong interest in outcome-based research as well as getting FITs involved in “ how cardiology works.”

Osman hails originally from Pakistan where he completed his medical school training at The Aga Khan University Medical College. He completed Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut and is currently a third-year general cardiology fellow at Bridgeport Hospital. Osman will stay in Connecticut next year for Interventional Cardiology Fellowship and ultimately plans a career as a hospital-based clinician-educator. He has been actively involved in ACC’s legislative efforts and hopes to get other FITs in the state excited about both the CCACC’s and the ACC’s legislative goals at the State and National level.

Current Cardiology Training Programs in Connecticut

For Program details visit : http://www.acgme.org/adspublic/

Six ACGME Accredited General Cardiology Fellowships (as of 10/15/2011):

Four ACGME Accredited Interventional Cardiology Fellowships (as of 10/15/2011):

One ACGME Accredited Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship (as of 10/15/2011):

One ACGME Accredited Clinical Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship (as of 10/15/2011):

Non - ACGME Accredited Fellowships (as of 10/15/2011):

1. Yale University:

Heart Failure

Nuclear Cardiology

Echocardiography

2. University of Connecticut / Hartford Hospital:

Combined Noninvasive/ Preventive Cardiology

For Fellows: Getting the Most out of Fellowship & Finding the Right Job

1. Review the COCATS Training Requirements and make sure you are on target for documenting the skills you need (nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, vascular medicine, catheterization, and so on).

2. Prepare for the ABIM Cardiovascular Diseases Boards.

Plan to take the general boards in the fall after you complete general cardiology fellowship. Application deadlines are in the spring, before graduation.
Don't just pass the boards--ace the boards!
Board review courses can help you study, although they are expensive. The ACC runs a well-regarded Board Review annually (link is to 2011 course) in Chicago or the Mayo Clinic runs a Cardiovascular Board Review in Minnesota.

3. Start to plan other board certifications you'll need--will vary depending on your career goals (non-invasive, invasive non-interventional, interventional):

Certification Board in Nuclear Cardiology - required for reimbursement for nuclear stress testing
- Registration is in the summer for the exam, currently given in December
- American Society of Nuclear Cardiology runs a board review course if you are feeling weak on nuclear physics
The National Board of Echocardiography - used to be considered "bragging rights," but more and more insurance companies are expecting board certification to reimburse echocardiography
- Registration is in the spring; exam is currently given in July
- The American Society of Echocardiography runs a ASCeXAM/ReASCeXAM Review Course and so does the Mayo Clinic
Some individuals may be interested in pursuing the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation credential
If it fits with your goals, board certification is also available in Cardiovascular CT

3. Build your network to find good jobs