Education

The ACGME accredited Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship program at UCSF started in 1966 and continues to follow the physiology-based teaching philosophy initially championed by Dr. Abraham Rudolph. Many alumni from our program have gone on to become leaders of Pediatric Cardiology Programs, including chairs and division chiefs.  

The three-year fellowship program involves training in all aspects of pediatric cardiology and its subspecialties, providing graduating trainees the tools to launch into a successful academic career and preparation for the American Board of Pediatrics Certifying Examination in Pediatric Cardiology. 

Categorical Fellowship 

Applications are processed through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The application opens in July for positions starting in July of the following year. We participate in the NRMP match and typically schedule interviews from the end of August through early November. 

When submitting your application, please include at least 3 letters of recommendation addressed to our Program Director. We do not accept paper applications. 

To be eligible to apply for the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, candidates must be a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian medical school. ECFMG certificate, J-1, and H-1B Scholars are accepted. The University does not sponsor new H-1B visas for clinical fellowship training; your visa status must be certain at the time of application. 

Benefits and salary information is included on the GME Resident and Fellow resources page. 

For questions about the application process or program, please contact our Program Coordinator.  

Advanced 4th Year Fellowship 

To be eligible to apply for an advanced 4th year fellowship, candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited pediatric program. J-1 and H-1B Scholars are considered. 

A completed application for a 4th year fellowship consists of: 

• Current CV 

• Two letters of recommendation 

• Letter outlining goals for 4th year and career interests 

Applications are typically due in late Spring, but please contact our Program Coordinator for more detailed information on the application process or any of our 4th year fellowship offerings.  

We do not use ERAS to process 4th year applications, but please check with your current fellowship leadership as processes and deadlines in the various specialties are changing frequently. For non-invasive imaging and electrophysiology 4th year fellowships, we do participate in the match process. 

Candidates interested in a one-year non-ACGME fellowship program specializing in interventional cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, electrophysiology, or pulmonary hypertension should submit their completed applications to our Program Coordinator.  

UCSF has an additional non-ACGME Neonatal Cardiovascular Center of Excellence Advanced Fellowship 4th year training opportunity. It is open to those who have completed a fellowship in pediatric cardiology, pediatric critical care, neonatology, or similar fellowship. The program prepares trainees in caring for infants with congenital heart disease from fetus to infant and from diagnosis to long-term outcomes. Please reach out to the Fellowship Program Coordinator for additional details regarding this training option. 

Visit the Society of Pediatric Cardiology Training Program Directors website for up-to-date information regarding 4th year training opportunities.  

Clinical 

The first year of fellowship starts with a three-week orientation that includes high-yield didactics and “echo immersion” in which fellows learn how to perform a complete pediatric transthoracic echo.  

The first year includes rotations on inpatient service, night float, and cardiology subspecialties including cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, and electrophysiology.  

Second- and third-year fellows additionally rotate through the cardiac intensive care unit, heart failure/transplant service, pulmonary hypertension, and adult congenital cardiology.  

Fellows spend time in outpatient pediatric cardiology clinics each year, which can be adjusted based on the individual fellow’s career plans and learning needs.  

Research 

Each fellow has 12 months of dedicated research time over the three-year fellowship, starting with several weeks in the first year. The amount of dedicated research time increases each year, with decreased service time so fellows can focus on their own career path and professional development. Most fellows in the program are involved in multiple research projects and present their work at regional and national pediatric cardiology conferences. 

Fellows participate in monthly Works in Progress sessions, facilitated by Dr. Shabnam Peyvandi, Director of Cardiovascular Research for the Pediatric Heart Center. Fellows also attend didactic lectures throughout the year on clinical research topics.  

Two optional research tracks are available: 

• Basic science tracks in collaboration with the Gladstone Institute led by Dr. Deepak Srivastava and the Cardiovascular Research Institute led by Dr. Brian Black.  

• Clinical and population health research tracks in collaboration with the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. This track includes potential opportunities for formal coursework to include obtaining a master's degree in clinical research, which will be supported by the newly formed Cardiovascular Research program.  

The division provides funding for an optional summer workshop as part of the Training in Clinical Research Program (TICR) from the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, offering further training in clinical research methods.    

Fellows have opportunities to take advantage of funding and grants allocated to the division, program, and department, including:  

• American Heart Association (AHA) Second Century Clinical Fellow Research Education Program providing financial support for three UCSF Pediatric Cardiology fellows each year to attend AHA Scientific Sessions.  

• Newman Research Fund that supports senior pediatric cardiology fellow research projects and dissemination of information via publication and conference attendance.  

• T32 training options within the Department of Pediatrics.  

Educational Opportunities 

During training, pediatric cardiology fellows spend time learning through direct patient care, didactic teaching sessions, and participation in UCSF Pediatric Heart Center conferences. Schedules provide flexibility for each fellow to tailor their rotations to meet their learning needs and professional development goals.  

Additional elective rotations are available in pediatric cardiac anesthesia and palliative care, as well as time to participate in GME Pathways, short courses in multidisciplinary and interprofessional topics.   

Ongoing didactic teaching sessions include echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, fetal cardiology, clinical case conference, electrophysiology, pathology, cardiac MRI, pediatric cardiac surgery, cardiac critical care, and adult congenital cardiology. 

Program Director 

Associate Program Director 

Division Chief   

Program Coordinator

• UCSF Neonatal Cardiovascular Center of Excellence 

• UCSF Pediatric Heart Center 

• UCSF Pediatric Heart Center Research 

• UCSF Department of Pediatrics Fellowships 

• UCSF Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident and Fellow Resources Page 

• UCSF GME College and Professional Development Opportunities 

• UCSF GME Pathways