Stability in training leadership

  • James Burke, MD, has been Program Director since 1982
  • Peter Kowey, MD, has been Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease since 1990

Emphasis on turning out well-rounded clinical cardiologists

  • The 12 months of clinical rotation in the three year program emphasize the various roles a practicing cardiologist might perform including consultative, intensive care, cardiothoracic, arrhythmia service, heart failure, coronary interventions, outpatient, pacemaker and devices, and congenital cardiac disorders.
  • The combination of primary and tertiary cardiology affords a more well-rounded training experience.
  • The high volumes of cardiac patients provide breadth and depth of pathology.
  • The teaching dimensions emphasize independent decision making by the fellows. This is combined with excellent work supervision.
  • The majority of graduating fellows get their first career choice, often in the Philadelphia area. Over half of our recent graduates have remained in the Main Line Health System.

Commitment to scholarship

  • Our graduating fellows perform very well in their board certification exam in cardiovascular disease. Ninety seven percent of the Fellows who have taken the ABIM exam have passed dating back to 1990.
  • The program has near-daily conferences geared to the level of the Fellows.
  • The program has a nationally honored, integrated lecture series.
  • Multiple outside conferences are also provided.

Commitment to research

  • The majority of our fellows have co-authored peer-reviewed manuscripts, abstract presentations, or book chapters including our present fellows.
  • A graduate of the program can have a solid foundation in a variety of research skills including clinical (invasive, non-invasive, electrophysiology), and basic science-molecular and cellular, and animal.
  • Access to the facilities of the Lankenau Institute of Medical Research.

Superb training in subspecialty fields

  • Lankenau Medical Center has ACGME accreditation in general cardiovascular, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, and interventional cardiology fellowship training programs.
  • Non-invasive fellows graduate the program with proficiency in trans-thoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, exercise and pharmacologic stress echocardiography, and level two training in nuclear cardiology (permitting NRC lab licensing), and CT angiography. Training is also available in the interpretation of peripheral vascular ultrasonography.
  • Invasive fellows graduate the four year program with proficiency in a host of interventional coronary techniques including balloon angioplasty, stenting, rotablade, laser, and atherectomy. Many also take training in peripheral vascular imaging and interventional techniques.
  • Electrophysiology fellows graduate the four year program with proficiency in electrophysiology procedures including catheter ablation techniques, permanent pacemaker and defibrillation device insertions, and atrial fibrillation ablation.
  • The Lankenau Heart Institute is recognized internationally as a leading cardiovascular program. The program receives more than 500 applications yearly for the available positions.