The Cardiac Critical Care Fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center is an ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) accredited one-year program designed to equip cardiologists to manage the complexity, acuity, and severity of illness of patients admitted to critical care units
Upon successful completion of the program, fellows are eligible to sit for the ABIM (American Board of Internal Medicine) Critical Care Medicine board.
As the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States, Baylor Scott & White serves 41 counties through 52 hospitals, more than 1,200 access points, more than 7,100 active physicians, more than 52,000 team members and the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan.
Curriculum
About the program
Our program's mission is to produce cardiovascular specialists with a comprehensive understanding of critical care medicine. Through Baylor University Medical Center and our adjoining Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital, fellows will spend time in surgical/trauma, medical cardiac, cardiovascular, neuro, BMT, and medical ICUs. Fellows will also spend time with mechanical circulatory support and our Platinum Designated ECMO program.
Each of these units is designed with dedicated teaching hallways. These hallways restrict patient volume, allowing for a thoughtful selection of cases based on their variety and complexity. Faculty members leading this service conduct daily multi-disciplinary teaching rounds for all patients. These rounds encompass bedside instruction, discussions on pathophysiology, and the incorporation of current evidence into diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Each team is limited to 15 patients, ensuring focused and effective learning.
Procedures
The training program aims to educate fellows in enhancing their understanding of diverse critical care medicine topics, applying this knowledge directly to patient care at the bedside, assessing clinical outcomes to ensure effective critical care services, and mastering technical and procedural skills essential for practitioners of critical care medicine.
Fellows have access to advanced technology and services, including:
- Bronchoscopy suite, including appropriate space and staffing for pulmonary procedures applicable to critical care
- Computed tomography (CT) imaging, including CT angiography
- Coronary care unit
- Radiology services (bedside imaging services available to all patients in the critical care units)
- Respiratory care services
- Exposure to the advanced heart and lung diseases and post-op heart and lung transplant patients
- Inpatient work in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, including
- ECMO care
- Central venous and arterial catheterization
- Intubation
- Chest tube placement
- Pulmonary artery catheter insertion and monitoring
- Percutaneous tracheostomy
- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion
- Fiber-optic bronchoscopy
We also utilize the Seeger Surgical Simulation Center, which is equipped with SimMan 3G technology as well as bronchoscopy.
Baylor University Medical Center is a quaternary referral center and performs high-volume heart transplants, high volume durable VAD implants and high volume ECMO including VV, VA and eCPR.
CY-23
- Heart Transplants - 63
- VAD Implants - 36
- ECMO - 162
Rotations
The rotation schedule for the year provides a comprehensive experience in the ICU. All rotations will take place on site or at our adjoining heart and vascular hospital. Fellows receive new admissions/consults, triage and evaluate patients, present to the attending physician and provide documentation of consultation, typically between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily during rotations. They also are responsible for seeing established patients prior to the daily bedside rounds. Fellows work with specially trained nurses and technicians skilled in critical care instrumentation, respiratory function and laboratory medicine. There is no overnight call.
- Orientation Block – one month
- MICU/CICU/BMT - six months
- CVCC, MCS, ECMO – three months
- SICU/Trauma - one month
- Elective – one month
Conferences
Each conference will have at least one faculty member present to facilitate peer-to-faculty interaction. This approach enhances the educational experience, providing the fellow with the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, seek guidance, and benefit from the expertise of experienced faculty members. The program aims to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that accommodates the diverse needs and circumstances of the fellow. Fellows develop teaching skills necessary to educate patients, families, medical students and residents by attending conferences and faculty development seminars, completing online lessons and observing experienced attending physicians in a teaching environment. These conferences are also attended by our surgical critical care and pulmonary/critical care fellows.
Conferences include:
- Radiology Case Conference
- Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
- Critical Care Core Curriculum Conference, including M&M and Journal Clubs
- Critical Care Conference
- Airway Management Conference
- Pulmonary Thromboembolism Conference
- Pulmonary Vascular Disease Conference
- ECMO Conference
Research
Our fellows are required to participate in at least one research project during their time as fellows, with the goal of presenting and publishing their findings.
BUMC is a major center for clinical research. Clinical research opportunities are available in the inpatient settings and the Seeger Surgical Simulation Center. Clinical research requires successful completion of educational prerequisites from Baylor University Medical Center's institutional review board (IRB) and approval of the IRB.
Fellows can present at conferences such as CHEST, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and American Thoracic Society (ATS), as well as at transplant-related conferences such as the American Transplant Congress (ATC) and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT).
How to apply
Our program participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and uses the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to electronically accept fellowship applications, letters of recommendations, dean’s letters, transcripts and other credentials directly from the applicant's medical school.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all application materials are completed and properly submitted through ERAS. The Fellowship Selection Committee will review all completed applications and select candidates for interviews. Interviews will be arranged by invitation only.
Application requirements
Candidates eligible for consideration must have completed an ACGME Accredited fellowship in Cardiology.
A complete application includes:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- CV
- USMLE transcripts (Steps I and II are required, and Step III is desirable; however, interviews and rankings will be conducted if Step III scores are not available at the deadline)
- ECFMG certificate, if applicable
Learn more about Baylor Scott & White's housestaff appointment eligibility, including guidelines for international medical graduates.
Faculty and fellows
Our dedicated faculty, with diverse expertise and a passion for teaching, offers invaluable mentorship and our talented fellows bring enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to patient care. Together, they create a supportive community committed to excellence in medical education and compassionate care.
Join us in shaping the future of healthcare!
Working at Baylor Scott & White Health
Stipend and benefits
In addition to competitive stipends, we offer our residents a full menu of employee benefits. We help offset the cost of many of these benefits; others are options you can choose to pay for yourself.
Well-being resources
This time in your professional career can be extremely challenging. As a Baylor Scott & White graduate medical trainee, there are a variety of resources available to you, ensuring you get the most out of your educational experience.
Life in Dallas
Dallas provides access to metropolitan entertainment and culture while maintaining the lowest cost of living among the top 10 largest U.S. cities.
Contact us
Cynthia Hernandez
Cynthia.Hernandez2@BSWHealth.org
Verification requests: BUMCGMEVerifications@BSWHealth.org
Baylor University Medical Center
Roberts Hospital
3500 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246