Our faculty-to-trainee ratio provides extensive one-on-one teaching relationships to our cardiovascular disease fellows
Our faculty-to-trainee ratio provides extensive one-on-one teaching relationships to our cardiovascular disease fellows
The Baylor College of Medicine -Temple Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship is accredited by the ACGME and is a standard 3-year program. We accept 6 general fellows per academic year.
The Baylor College of Medicine-Temple Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is accredited by the ACGME and is a standard 1-year program. We accept 2 interventional fellows per academic year.
Our goal is to train outstanding general cardiologists who are prepared for careers in private practice, academic practice or for additional subspecialty training. Our fellows are typically level 2 trained for independent practice in echocardiography, invasive cardiology and nuclear imaging. Some of our fellows have done additional elective time in order to obtain vascular imaging or CT imaging certification.
We provide an excellent balance of service and education in order to accomplish this. We have an extensive didactic program that covers core topics, nuclear imaging, invasive cardiology, electrophysiology, congenital heart disease and echocardiography. Clinical experiences with supervised autonomy in outpatient clinic, CVICU, inpatient consult service, advanced heart failure service, cardio obstetrics, Cath lab, and Echo lab that provide the foundation for patient care and education. Our fellows typically take the echo boards after the second year of fellowship and we have a >90% pass rate since 2017. Since 2021 many of our graduates have taken the RPVI certification, nuclear boards, and CT boards with a 100% pass rate.
We are able to accomplish this in an atmosphere that is collegial, supportive and provides excellent work-life balance. Our team is committed to excellence in patient care and medical education. Baylor Scott and White Medical Center has achieved the top-ranking teaching hospital with cardiovascular training program by Fortune/Premier (2025).
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 fellowship is aimed at developing cardiologists for clinical practice. During the three years, the fellows rotate through the various areas of cardiology, with the amount of time spent in each area determined by the requirements of the American College of Cardiology, as well as the interest of each fellow.
The rotations during the fellowship are composed of the following:
- Invasive cardiology (Cardiac Catheterization lab): eight months
- Non-invasive section: eight months
- Clinical (includes CCU): eight months
- VA Hospital: six to nine months
- Electrophysiology: two months
- Nuclear: six months
- Research: three months
- Elective time: three months (Individual tracks for EP, invasive or non-invasive cardiology may be tailored to the trainee's career goals)
Rotations
Invasive cardiology (Cath lab)
The Cath lab performs more than 2,500 catheterizations per year. In addition to extensive experience in cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography, our fellows perform approximately 800 coronary angioplasty procedures per year.
Most fellows spend eight months during their training in the Cath lab, gaining experience with more than
Non-invasive section
This rotation includes comprehensive echocardiography, exercise stress testing, nuclear SPECT scan and transesophageal echocardiography. A large volume of ECGs and Holter monitors are also read with staff supervision.
Echocardiography training provides the basic knowledge and experience necessary to be fully capable of performing and interpreting examinations in a clinical setting. Additional training opportunities in structural imaging for interested fellows are available.
Fellows may also opt to participate in additional training in vascular or CT imaging during their elective time.
Clinical cardiology and intensive care (CCU)
A program has been developed for fellowship involvement in the outpatient clinic practice, where fellows become familiar with the longitudinal care of ambulatory cardiac patients as well as performing consultations for other internists. This patient load is optimal for educational purposes.
The CCU includes a coronary care unit complete with hemodynamic monitoring and capability for insertion of intra-aortic balloon pumps, Swan-Ganz catheters, temporary pacemakers, mechanical circulatory support, etc. Intensive Care Cardiology is an excellent opportunity to gain primary service experience in the care of acute myocardial infarctions, unstable angina, cardiogenic shock and post-operative open-heart patients.
During this experience, fellows progress to direct the care of CCU patients and are expected to function as junior staff overseeing the medical residents and students. They are responsible for procedures necessary on CCU patients.
Electrophysiology
This rotation includes exposure to diagnostic and therapeutic EP studies, ICD implants and permanent pacemaker implants. Fellows are responsible for consults to the electrical service and will assist on electrophysiology studies, pacer and ICD implants.
Fellows are also given the opportunity to participate in the Afib clinic and attend device workshops on ways to interrogate and program pacemakers and defibrillators.
Nuclear
Six months of training for all fellows is designated to make fellows conversant in the field of nuclear cardiology, with the primary responsibility being Technetium stress test monitoring. Individual rotations are arranged with nuclear radiology regarding specific jobs and responsibilities.
Conferences
Active participation in the preparation of lectures, seminars and conferences is expected of each fellow.
Regularly scheduled cardiology teaching and conference activities include:
- Textbook review
- Morbidity and Mortality conference- Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery
- ECG review
- Journal club
- Invasive cardiology lecture series
- Cath conference
- Combined conferences: High risk Cardiology, Cardio obstetrics, Cardiology & Pulmonary Critical Care, and Cardiology-Primary Care
There is also a monthly meeting for research-related topics.
How to apply
We use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to electronically accept fellowship applications, letters of recommendations, dean’s letters, transcripts and other credentials directly from your medical school.
Application requirements
Eligible candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited, three-year internal medicine residency.
Applicants should also submit:
- Transcript from medical school
- Dean's letter
- Three letters of reference from medical school faculty or residency/fellowship experience (if applicable)
- Curriculum vitae/resume
- Record of other graduate medical experience, if applicable
- ECFMG certificate, if foreign medical graduate
- USMLE III must be taken and passed
- Recent photograph (optional)
- Personal statement
The personal statement describes your professional interests, achievements, reasons for choosing specialty of training and plans for the future. Reference should be made to research experience and training, special projects or scientific work you have engaged in and any notable professional accomplishments you have achieved. You may also wish to describe your personal interests, activities and circumstances.
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 Temple
Temple uniquely offers a combination of access to big-city conveniences while maintaining a small-town atmosphere.
Contact us
Mylessa Wheeler
Program Administrator
Phone: 254.724.0108
Fax: 254.724.8067
Email: Mylessa.Wheeler@BSWHealth.org
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple
2401 S. 31st St.
Temple, TX 76508