2020 UAB Cardiovascular Institute Annual Report CVI Annual Report 2019-2020 6 | Page 42

UAB DIVISION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE FELLOWSHIP
TRAINING PROGRAMS DIVISION OF VASCULAR SURGERY AND ENDOVASCULAR
THERAPY TRAINING PROGRAM
The Division of Cardiovascular Disease offers training in Cardiovascular Disease (General Cardiology), as well as
ACGME-accredited training in the following subspecialties: To prepare our trainees for their clinical experiences, the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
conducts regular simulation events hosted by the UAB Office of Interprofessional Simulation for Innovative
Clinical Practice (OIPS). Surgical trainees perform both open and endovascular procedures on advanced models,
including essentially all of the core procedures performed by modern vascular surgeons. A tiered approach to
simulation training and strategic simulation in relation to the trainee’s level of instruction allows for a more fruitful
experience and more intensive participation in the clinical service and in the operating room. Additionally, trainees
participate in the extensive UA Health Services and Outcomes Research Network at UAB, and dedicated research
time is available to encourage academic career pursuits.
The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship programs at UAB Medicine offers post-graduates flexibility in the length
and content of their training while maintaining compliance with ACGME, ABIM, & COCATS standards. Our goal is
to produce physicians who are highly effective in a variety of clinical settings and who possess the knowledge,
skills, and professionalism to succeed in academic medicine.
• Advanced heart failure and cardiac transplant
• Clinical cardiac electrophysiology
• Interventional cardiology
The Division also provides NIH-supported research training in cardiovascular disease, vascular biology and
hypertension, and heart failure under the auspices of two T32 post-doctoral training grants.
CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY RESIDENCY TRAINING
PROGRAM
Our cardiothoracic surgery residency program includes two years of clinically oriented instruction in all aspects of
cardiac and thoracic surgery.
Residents completing the program should attain a Level 4 competency as defined by the Thoracic Surgery
Milestone assessments, which include six competencies of training: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-
based learning and development, systems-based practice, professionalism, and interpersonal skills and
communication.
The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery hosts 8–10 simulation labs per year, with topics varying from aortic valve
replacement to tricuspid valve repair and robotics. With faculty teaching and industry support, we simulate
operations on porcine hearts in the wet lab and use endovascular and robotic simulators. We invite cardiovascular
and general surgery residents and medical students. Our residents thrive in this hands-on learning environment
with faculty and colleagues.
Our division is very proud of our comprehensive training programs, which allow us to prepare the next generation
of surgeons. We offer both an integrated vascular surgery residency and a two-year vascular surgery fellowship.
Our training program involves an extensive operative experience that exceeds most programs in the country in
depth, breadth, and complexity.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
UAB SURGERY
SIMULATION CENTER
UAB’s Cardiothoracic and Vascular
Surgery simulation center provides a
stimulating educational forum for thoughtful
interactive discussion and mentoring on
proper techniques for surgical procedures.
Residents, fellows, and medical students
are invited to participate in this training
experience to enrich, refine, and hone their
technical skills in a relaxed environment to
prepare for clinical practice.
JOINT SURGERY / THORACIC SURGERY PROGRAM
(ACGME 4/3)
UAB’s Joint Surgery/Thoracic surgery program was recently approved by both the American Board of Surgery
(ABS) and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) for a joint 4/3 general surgery and thoracic surgery
residency. Trainees in the joint 4/3 residency spend their first three years with Surgery, their fourth and fifth
years divided between Surgery and Thoracic Surgery, and their sixth and seventh years exclusively with Thoracic
Surgery.
Trainees in this residency are eligible for board certification from both the American Board of Surgery and
American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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UAB Cardiovascular Institute Annual Report
uabmedicine.org
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