About the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Training Program at Tufts Medical Center is designed to prepare well-rounded, clinically skilled and compassionate cardiologists. We’re proud of our long-standing tradition of training physicians in all aspects of cardiovascular medicine.

Fellows are fully integrated into the CardioVascular Center and the Division of Cardiology. They gain hands-on experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, mastering procedural techniques, participating in active research and contributing to education as consultants and mentors to medical students and house staff.

Clinical rotations span the full spectrum of cardiovascular care, including cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, heart failure and transplant cardiology, cardiac critical care, vascular medicine, community cardiology, preventive cardiology and advanced imaging (CT/MR).

We use a competency-based model that helps fellows build strong skills in 6 key areas:

1. Interpersonal communication: Demonstrating exceptional abilities to communicate with patients, families and healthcare teams
2. Medical knowledge: Applying evolving biomedical, epidemiological, and socio-behavioral sciences to patient care
3. Patient care: Providing compassionate, appropriate and effective care to patients
4. Practice-based learning and improvement: Critically analyzing clinical problems to improve care
5. Professionalism: Adhering to ethical principles and engaging in local and national organizations
6. Systems-based practice: Understanding healthcare systems and using resources effectively to care for cardiovascular patients

In later years, fellows may pursue advanced subspecialty training in electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, or heart failure and transplant cardiology. Many graduates also choose to continue research through the Tufts University Clinical and Translational Science Graduate Program or enter careers in academic medicine or community-based clinical practice.

Fellows benefit from robust research opportunities through the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, supporting both basic science and clinical investigations.

Home to Boston’s first hospital + world-class cardiology training

Tufts Medical Center traces its roots to the Boston Dispensary, the city’s first hospital, founded in 1796. For many years, we’ve served as the primary academic teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. Our cardiology program has a longstanding tradition of excellence in both general cardiology training and advanced fellowship training, including electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology.

How to apply to the advanced heart failure + transplant cardiology fellowship

We participate in ERAS and rank applicants through the NRMP Medicine Subspecialties Match. Our program offers three ACGME-accredited training positions each year.

To be eligible, you must be on track to complete a cardiovascular disease fellowship and be board-eligible in cardiovascular disease before your anticipated start date.

Application materials must be submitted via ERAS and should include:

• CV
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation (including one from your current program director)

We sponsor applicants on J-1 visas and will consider H1-B visa sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.

Typical timeline

• July: ERAS opens for applications
• September–October: Interview season
• November: Rank list deadline
• December: Match Day

For exact dates and details, please refer to ERAS and The Match.

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Comprehensive heart failure + transplant cardiology fellowship in Boston

Fellows in the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship at Tufts Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center gain comprehensive training in both inpatient and outpatient care. Our curriculum is designed to ensure fellows meet ACGME requirements and align with COCATS guidelines for heart failure training.

We take particular pride in the high-volume experience we offer in transplant, cardiogenic shock and mechanical circulatory support management. By the end of the program, each fellow will be prepared to evaluate and manage people with heart failure, heart transplants and mechanical circulatory support in any care setting.

As fellows progress through the year, they take on increasing responsibility and develop hands-on expertise in the procedures and clinical decision-making that define this complex specialty.

Inpatient training experience

During the inpatient rotation, fellows will:

• Learn how to evaluate and diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy, including when to perform an endomyocardial biopsy
• Manage acute heart failure using oral and IV therapies, including diuretics, beta-blockers, inotropes, and vasodilators
• Understand the indications for temporary and durable mechanical support, including intra-aortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices (VADs)
• Work closely with surgical teams to evaluate patients who may need revascularization or advanced device therapy
• Participate in transplant evaluations and post-transplant care, including hemodynamic monitoring and immunosuppressive management
• Become familiar with complications such as rejection, infection, and graft vasculopathy
• Gain extensive procedural experience with endomyocardial biopsies
• Manage patients with mechanical circulatory support, from selection to long-term care

Outpatient training experience

Fellows attend weekly heart failure and transplant clinics, where they care for people with:

• Chronic heart failure
• Left ventricular assist devices
• Pre-transplant evaluations
• Post-transplant follow-up

During the outpatient experience, fellows will:

• Master the outpatient evaluation of heart failure, including symptom assessment, physical exam and medication management
• Provide education and support for lifestyle changes and self-care
• Understand when to refer for transplant and what makes someone a transplant candidate
• Participate in transplant selection committee meetings and weekly care discussions
• Adjust immunosuppressive therapy based on biopsy results and clinical status
• Manage outpatient complications of transplant care, including hypertension, diabetes and infections
• Join monthly meetings with the New England Consortium of Cardiac Transplantation for broader regional insight

What research opportunities are available?

Fellows are encouraged to take part in research throughout the year. Opportunities include basic, translational and clinical research in heart failure and transplant cardiology. Most fellows join active clinical trials during their training.

Tufts Medical Center’s Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and Division of Cardiology offer mentorship and support to design a research experience that aligns with each fellow’s interests and career goals.