During the first year, each fellow is expected to select an area in cardiovascular medicine that he or she would wish to pursue academically. The fellow, with the guidance of the pediatric cardiology faculty, selects a sponsor who will be responsible for the research education of the fellow.

A second year fellow has the opportunity to pursue more intense academic training. During this year independent research is undertaken under the direction of a sponsor and appropriate graduate level courses can be taken. In addition to the independent research, the fellow may select courses in developmental biology, embryology, biostatistics, bioassay, experimental design, or any other course that would provide the necessary academic background to perform as an independent investigator. Also, during that year the fellow is given the opportunity to write abstracts, manuscripts, and grants. We feel such training is essential to the future success of a pediatric cardiologist at an academic center.

During the third year, a fellow will present academic endeavors at national meetings, thus providing the necessary visibility for successful job placement upon completion of their training.

Travel to national meetings is provided yearly to each trainee. Fellows have always been encouraged to submit their research findings to Young Investigator competitions of the Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Cardiology or Society for Pediatric Research during their second and third years of training. Previous trainees have successfully competed in these programs.

Research interests of the division faculty include coronary risk factors in childhood, conduction and rhythm disturbances, developmental aspects of cardiac muscle and cardiac contractile proteins, cardiac embryology, echocardiography, and interventional cardiac catheterization.