Interventional Cardiology
Fellowship Program

Program Director:
  • Michael Ragosta, MD

Core Faculty Members:

  • Lawrence Gimple, MD
  • Ellen Keeley, MD
  • Lewis Lipson, MD
  • Allan Simpson, MD
  • Angela Taylor, MD

General Description:

The University of Virginia offers a comprehensive and accredited one to two year training program in Interventional Cardiology to fellows in their fourth or fifth year of Cardiology Fellowship.  The fellowship provides experiences in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, the In-Patient Service and the Interventional Outpatient Clinic in order to gain extensive technical experience in the performance of all interventional and diagnostic cardiovascular procedures as well as acquire broad clinical experience in the care of in-patient and out-patient interventional patients. 

To supplement the clinical experience gained in the performance of procedures and in the direct care of patients, an in-depth series of didactic core lectures are presented throughout the fellowship to provide fellows with the key knowledge base in interventional cardiology. In addition, fellows are encouraged to pursue directed additional relevant reading and independent research or scholarship. 

The fellowship may consist of a single accredited clinical year as outlined below or may be a two year experience with the first year dedicated to research and the second dedicated to the accredited clinical year.  A wide variety of research opportunities exist including basic research and clinical research. 

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Goals and Objectives:

The goals of the accredited clinical interventional fellowship are to provide the fellow with the ability to:
  • understand the appropriate indications and contraindications for all interventional cardiovascular procedures as well as understand the important clinical variables determining appropriate patient selection and informed decision making.
  • evaluate coronary and peripheral angiograms for the suitability for a percutaneous interventional procedure and determine an appropriate plan to perform the procedure and to manage the patient pre- and post-procedure.
  • understand the interaction of the practice of interventional cardiology within the larger health care system and learn to practice cost-effective care while being an advocate for patients and learning ethically sound practice.
  • learn the complex health delivery systems involved in interventional cardiology and learn to work within the team which constitutes the interventional cardiology health care system.
  • communicate effectively to health care professionals, patients and their families.
  • perform all interventional procedures safely and efficiently.
  • recognize and treat all potential complications of percutaneous interventional procedures.
  • learn how to analyze their practice for needed improvement.
  • master the core knowledge base for interventional cardiology.
  • critically evaluate new technology, research and techniques in interventional cardiology and applying this information to their practice. 

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Other Information:

Clinical Experience
Research Opportunities
Conferences and Educational Opportunities
Application Process and Benefit Information