Program Overview
The overall goal of the Cardiology Fellowship is to provide broad training in the disciplines of cardiology, focusing on the general competencies put forth by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The program is dedicated to excellence in all areas of academic medicine. We are passionate about providing trainees with a broad range of exposure to Cardiovascular Disease in the inpatient and outpatient settings and to develop the multidisciplinary skills needed to provide comprehensive care. The training guidelines from the ACGME are the basis for our curriculum and are reflected in the goals and objectives of the various rotations through which the residents rotate. All fellows completing Cardiology fellowship training should have the clinical skills and overall medical competence necessary for certification of clinical competence by the American Board of Internal Medicine, should demonstrate moral and ethical behavior and should have a reasonable expectation of passing the certifying examination of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Curriculum & Coursework
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The TTUHSC Cardiology fellowship is comprised of:
The fellowship is a minimum duration of 36 months. The assignment of course work is designed to accomplish the goals of the program in compliance with the requirements of the ACGME, the Residency Review Committee (RRC), the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and COCATS.
The cardiology fellowship is a three year training program. The cardiology fellow is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and works closely with the staff cardiologists. Invasive training provides experience in cardiac and peripheral angiography, insertion of temporary and permanent pacemakers, right heart catherization, electrophysiology, percutaneous coronary intervention, peripheral vascular intervention, TAVR, and insertion of the intra-aortic balloon pump. Noninvasive training includes transcutaneous electrocardiography, stress testing, transesophageal echocardiography and nuclear cardiography, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI. Fellows will spend a part of each year dedicated to clinical or basic research activities and are expected to submit their results for publication. Fellows also teach residents and students. All training takes place at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center or TDCJ Montford clinic.
Conference Description
The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine provide numerous conferences to enhance the educational experiences of fellows: Didactic, Journal Club, Research, Morbidity and mortality, Cardiac catheterization, Echocardiography, Nuclear/CT imaging and EKG/pacemaker.
Call Schedule
The call schedule is published on a monthly basis. The fellows make their own call schedule, with number of calls based on academic year. The fellow on call is responsible for all consults and CVICU admissions.
Procedures
The first year fellow who is beginning his/her invasive training will be limited to performing standard right/left heart catheterizations. Interventions are generally performed by third year fellows, Interventional fellow or faculty.
Permanent pacemaker, implantable defibrillator implantation and EP studies are performed by second and third year fellows, if on EP service.
Clinic
The Cardiovascular Center of Excellence is in the professional building located adjacent to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and is where the clinics are held weekly. A Cardiology clinic is also held on a monthly basis at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Montford Unit in Lubbock.
Cardiology fellow clinic is held at pre-scheduled times. Patients are seen by the fellow and are presented to the faculty member for discussion and approval of planned management.
This is a continuity clinic, so you follow your patient for the 3 years you are a fellow, if needed.
How to Apply
Online Application
Application Fee
Transcripts
Admissions Requirements
Our program participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and is registered with Electronic Residency Application Service (Program ID 1414821121— July Application Cycle).
There are certain eligibility criteria which must be met to apply for the Cardiovascular fellowship training program:
- Must apply via the Electronic Residency Applicant Service (ERAS) preferably by August 15th to be initially considered for interviews but will consider applicants that have complete ERAS applications by August 31st for any open interview dates.
- Applicant must register in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) to be considered for ranking before program rank list submission.
- Be of good professional character with at least three letters of recommendation attesting to your academic and personal qualifications
- Graduate of a U.S, or Canadian Medical School accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), or a medical school outside the United States and Canada with a current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- Graduate of an ACGME-accredited internal medicine residency three-year training program
- Board-eligible in internal medicine by time of fellowship appointment
- Our program only sponsors J-1 visa (if you are a J-1 visa holder, with at enough time remaining on the J-1 visa to complete the 3 year program.
- All applicants must have taken and passed all USMLE exams (preferably first attempt, but not a requirement)
- The selection process evaluates performance on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), grades in preclinical or clinical courses, letters of recommendation, communication skills, and personal qualities
- The department does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation or veteran status
- Interviews are conducted during the months of September and October, making adherence to the program Application Deadline vital.
Application Check List:
- ERAS Application
- ERAS Addendum Form (only needed upon invitation for an interview)
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae (in chronological order with no gaps)
- Dean's Letter
- Medical School Transcript
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Notarized copy of Diploma (only needed upon invitation for interview)
- Program Director's Letter/Certification (if had previous residency training in the U.S.)
- Copy of State License (if applicable)
IMG (International Medical Graduates) Additional Requirements
- Only accepts J-1 Visa
- No US clinical experience required but is preferred
- Must have ECFMG certificate at interview
- Clerkship Affidavit (only needed upon interview invitation)
- Valid ECFMG Certificate (required BEFORE invited for interview)
- Authorization form for confirmation of ECFMG certification (only needed at interview)
*TTUHSC does not accept H-1 Visa
Cost & Aid
Access information about tuition and fees, along with scholarships and financial aid resources, to help you plan and finance your education at TTUHSC.
Tuition & Fees
The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regent action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition information should be used only as a guideline for estimating charges.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. TTUHSC relies on a variety of financial aid sources to increase the university's affordability. This may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and waivers. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.
Apply for Scholarships Apply for Financial Aid
Military/Veteran
Explore financial resources, benefits and support available to military members and veterans.
Additional Resources
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Benefits:
- Paid Health/Dental/Life/Disability Insurance
- Worker's Compensation Insurance
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Free Parking
- 30 Days Paid Vacation/Sick/Personal leave per year (non-accruable).
- 10 Days Educational Leave per year (non-accruable).
- Stipend--Funds will accrue throughout the fellowship and will be allowed to be carried over from year to year.
Please visit our GME office for detailed salary and benefit information.
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Teaching Sites
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC)
TTUHSC educates students, provides patient care and conducts biomedical and clinical research. We graduate the most health care professionals in the state of Texas. Nationally recognized for innovative programs, academic achievement, and our cutting-edge research, we are training the next generation of highly qualified health professionals. To date we have trained more than 42,000 health care professionals who are serving patients and driving medical discovery in tangible, life-changing ways – both for the 10 million people in our immediate service area and around the world.
TTUHSC Center of Cardiovascular Health
TTUHSC Center of Cardiovascular Health is in the professional building located adjacent to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Cardiology fellow clinic is held at pre-scheduled times and the patients are seen by the fellow. Fellows then present to the faculty member for discussion and approval of planned management. This is a continuity clinic, so you follow your patient for the 3 years you are a fellow, if needed.
Texas Tech Physicians Internal Medicine Clinic
The Internal Medicine Department is the largest clinical department at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. We are here to provide for the health care needs of adult patients in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. We provide all levels of care from being your primary care physician to fulfilling your needs with many types of specialty care. We offer exceptional physician care for diseases of the heart, lungs, stomach, colon, and kidneys.
University Medical Center (UMC)
University Medical Center (UMC) is a 500-bed hospital. It is a public, non- profit facility that serves as the primary teaching hospital for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. UMC also includes a children's hospital with Level IV NICU, a family-centered birth center, a regional burn center, and the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center. Wile at UMC, TTUHSC Family Medicine residents take care of hospitalized adults & children, work in the critical care units, and provide family-centered maternity care in labor & delivery.
John T. Montford Psychiatric/Medical Unit
The John T. Montford Psychiatric/Medical Unit functions as a Regional Medical Center and Psychiatric Hospital for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Montford Unit is a part of the managed care program for the Cardiology fellows. All Cardiology fellows will rotate through Montford for one month one half day period at a time during their first, second and third year.
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Thank you for your interest in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Cardiology Fellowship Program.
Our mission is to train skilled, compassionate, and inquisitive cardiologists through a balanced curriculum that integrates clinical excellence, academic rigor, and cutting-edge research. Fellows benefit from diverse patient populations across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, gaining broad experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings.We emphasize mentorship, professionalism, and a collegial learning environment that fosters growth, innovation, and lifelong learning. Our goal is to prepare graduates to deliver exceptional cardiovascular care and to serve as leaders in clinical practice, education, and research.
Jose A. Suarez, MD
Program Director
TTUHSC Cardiology Fellowship
Contact Us
Cardiovascular Fellowship Lubbock
We're here to help. Contact us if you have questions.
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Address
3601 4th Street
Lubbock, TX 79430
United States
- Phone (806) 743-9580
- Email matt.molinar@ttuhsc.edu
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Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday