About the Cardiology Program

The Cardiology fellowship program at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center (LAMC) was established in the 1970s. It has been continuously accredited by the ACGME since its inception. Three (3) fellows are accepted each year into this three-year program.


Kaiser Permanente LAMC is the tertiary referral center for more than two million Southern California Kaiser Permanente members. Cardiac tertiary services include cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology (EP), and cardiothoracic Surgery.

The cardiology fellowship is supported by a highly competitive Internal Medicine residency program. Other subspecialty fellowships include GI, Nephrology, and Interventional Cardiology.

All cardiology rotations take place at LAMC except for a 3-month block of echocardiography training during the second year. The fellow has the option of doing this 3-month rotation at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, which provides exposure to pathologies unique to that center. Plans are in place to include cardiac magnetic resonance training during the 3-month block at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Gerald Pohost, MD, an expert on the subject.

Curriculum

Goals & Objectives
The curriculum emphasizes both didactic and hands-on learning of the entire range of cardiac pathologies. It is modeled after the ACC COCATS 2 recommendations, but with important modifications. Level 1 training is mandatory in all disciplines, with Level 2 training offered in many.

Teaching Program
Teaching conferences are conducted every day of the week, covering various aspects of cardiology. Journal club is conducted monthly.

Nationally known speakers are invited with industry support to give Grand Rounds monthly.

A core curriculum lecture series is given by the staff cardiologists at the beginning of each academic year. The series covers all basic aspects of clinical cardiology and serves as orientation for the new fellows.

Research Opportunities
Research opportunities are abundant and active participation is mandatory for all fellows. In 2003 & 2004, 5 abstracts were presented at national and international meetings by our staff and fellows, in addition to the publication of several manuscripts. Fields of research include CHF, CRT, echo, EP, coronary interventions, and racial differences in disease outcomes.

Research meetings are held monthly, during which each fellow reports on the progress of his/her project. All fellows are expected to complete one or more projects and to submit their work for presentation and/or publication.