Onco-Cardiology Fellowship

The goal of the MD Anderson Onco-Cardiology Fellowship Program is to develop the careers of future leaders in the field of Onco-Cardiology through comprehensive education and training in clinical practice; laboratory sciences; teaching skills; verbal and written communication; and clinical, translational and basic science research.

Direct Patient Care
Year 1 fellows are responsible for the evaluation and management of patients on the  inpatient service, outpatient clinics, and in the testing and procedure labs.

Outpatient Clinics
Year 1 and Year 2 fellows will attend outpatient clinics per the Program Director's instructions. These clinics may include general cardiology, preoperative, cardiomyopathy, radiation, valve, and survivorship.

Clinical and Research Components

1. Fellows completing the program must be capable of meeting the educational objectives listed below:
   • Develop proficiency in the diagnosis and management of cancer patients with heart diseases.
   • Understand the current cancer treatment modalities that cause cardiotoxicity
   • Understand the cardiotoxic effects of oncologic therapeutic agents
   • Understand appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular complications of cancer therapies
   • Understand quality improvement and patient safety process processes
   • Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, which may include but are not limited to the following:
     • diagnosis and management of cardiovascular problems in cancer patients
     • management of chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy
     • management of malignant pericardial Effusions
     • independent interpretation of electrocardiograms specific to cancer patients
     • interpretation of transthoracic echocardiograms and to unusual TEE findings in cancer  patients
     • performance and interpretation of stress myocardial perfusion tests specific to cancer patient population
2. Manage complex cardiovascular problems encountered with acutely ill oncology patients
3.  Complete a research project that results in the form of an abstract or manuscript
4. Understand therapeutic interventions for cardia-protection and reversibility of cardiac damage
5. Outline the individual and combinations of anti-cancer agents and understand the short- and long-term toxic effects on the heart
6. Demonstrate diagnostic and treatment strategies for heart failure, as well as ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, thromboembolism, and hypertension in cancer patients
7. Implement recent scientific advances in managing risk factors for the prevention of cardiotoxicity, such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, dyslipidemia
8. Understand and practice quality improvement initiatives and patient safety
9. Incorporate various imaging technologies for assessment of cardiovascular problems in cancer patients to improve patient care, including MRI, Echocardiography, strain rate imaging, and carotid stenosis monitoring
10. Identify and manage cardiotoxicity in adult survivors of childhood cancer
11. Identify and manage cancer therapy-induced heart failure
12. Understand the biology, pathology, and progression of cardiotoxicity
13. Participate in the catheterization laboratory with cardiac and peripheral catheterization and interventions;
    • optical coherence tomography (OCT)
    • fractional flow reserve (FFR)
    • endomyocardial biopsy
    • pericardiocentesis
    • right heart cath
    • interpretation of hemodynamics
14. Gain expertise in the performance of Electrophysiology diagnostic and therapeutic procedures related to cancer patients with cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy, which may include but are not limited to the following:
    • Diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of rhythm disorders, including, but not limited to:
      • sinus node dysfunction
      • atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction delay and block;
      • supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias
      • clinical conditions such as: (a) unexplained syncope, (b) aborted sudden cardiac death; (c) palpitations; (d) pre-excitation; (e) prolonged QT syndromes; (f) other inherited and acquired arrhythmia syndromes
    • Conditions that constitute indications for nonpharmacologic therapy, such as;
      • Ablation, surgery
      • ICD implantation
      • Implantation of cardiac rhythm devices;
      • Implantable loop recorder; and
      • Interrogation of heart rhythm devices and external rhythm devices.
15. Identify cardiovascular syndromes, such as carcinoid heart disease, cardiac tumors, malignant pericardia! effusions, and infiltrative cardiomyopathies
16. Gain exposure to nuclear stress testing and interpretation specific to cancer patients
17. Understand cardiovascular effects of mediastinal radiation
18. Gain experience in performing echocardiograms and interpreting both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms

All candidates for the Onco-Cardiology Fellowship must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicants must have an M.D. degree or equivalent
   • Must have completed a U.S. or Canada accredited residency in Cardiology in “Good Standing”. They must be board-eligible or board-certified to practice.
   • Candidates with other training backgrounds, such as residents who have completed a United States Internal Medicine Residency Training Program, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Applicants must have U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or a J-1 VISA
   • MD Anderson does not offer H-1B VISAS for GME Trainees
3. A copy of current ECFMG Certification, if you completed medical school outside the United States
4. A copy of your USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 if applicable, or Comlex scores

Each applicant is reviewed by the Program Director and Co-Program Director of Cardiology with the consultation of other faculty members in the department. Top applicants, chosen on the basis of their credentials and letters of recommendation, are invited for a formal interview.

Our program is not currently involved in the match program. Therefore, applicants must complete the attached Application Form.

Required Documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal statement
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from faculty members
• Letter of good standing from current program director (If Applicable)
• Medical School Diploma
• Official Medical School Transcript (English translation required for foreign graduates)
• Certificates of completion from all residencies or fellowships 
• Official USMLE transcript
• Valid ECFMG certificate (for foreign medical school graduates)

Please send all documents to :
Annette L. Eakes Ponnie, EdD, MSW
Education Program Coordinator, Cardiology
aeakesponnie@mdanderson.org

Compensation
GME Stipend Levels

Vacation
4 weeks per year with flexibility on choice of vacation time.

Fitness Facilities
Free access to the 16,000 square foot institutional fitness center with strength-training cardiovascular equipment, yoga, spin and group exercise rooms. Free group classes are offered in person, live on Zoom, and on demand. Personal trainers are normally available for a fee.

Benefits
Complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and disability insurance, a parking subsidy, institutional cell phone and laptop. Please see Graduate Medical Education Trainee Manual for full details.

Parental/Family Leave
In concordance with ACGME requirements, we provide up to six weeks of paid parental and family leave during training.

Tobacco Restrictions
MD Anderson is committed to encouraging good health and staying true to our mission to end cancer. If you
are applying for a GME fellowship or residency program, please be advised that MD Anderson has instituted a tobacco-free hiring process as part of its efforts to achieve these goals. Read more on the Information for GME Applicants page.

MD Anderson is located in the world’s largest medical complex, the Texas Medical Center.

 The fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston is home to an amazing mix of cultures, beliefs, nationalities.

• World’s best restaurants from dives to high end. You can dine around the world without leaving town.
• Numerous parks, including Hermann Park which has an outdoor theater and large zoo.
• An academic and cultural arena that includes Baylor College of Medicine, Rice and St. Thomas Universities, the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Contemporary Arts, and Menil Collection.
• Close proximity to Houston's noted symphony orchestra, opera, theater and ballet.
• Great sports teams: Rockets, Astros, Dash, Dynamos, and Texans.

Other sites of various activities available within a few minutes' drive include Moody Gardens, Sam Houston Race Park, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Splash Town Waterpark, Downtown Aquarium, Space Center Houston, Lone Star Flight Museum, San Jacinto Battlefield, NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center and the George R. Brown Convention Center. The cost of living is moderate and housing is very reasonable.

View the MD Anderson About Houston page and Why Houston Guide.

For entertainment, restaurants and things to do, visit Houston Culture Map.