Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship

How to Apply

ERAS/AAMC logo

Applications are only accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS).

The deadline for ERAS applications is around July 19.

US residents should contact their Dean's Office or ERAS at https://students-residents.aamc.org/training-residency-fellowship/applying-fellowships-eras/.

International residents should contact the ECFMG at www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html.

All applicants must also register with the National Resident Matching Program: www.nrmp.org (Phone: 202-828-0566).

Positions are available for fellows who wish to obtain clinical and research training in cardiovascular diseases beginning July 1 next year. The cardiology fellowship program is three to four years in duration depending on the candidate’s interest in subspecialty training, research, or other scholarly activity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates interested in a four-year fellowship position geared towards training as physician-scientists to become future leaders in academic cardiovascular medicine. We provide broad-based clinical experiences in cardiovascular medicine at our teaching sites , the University of Iowa Helath Care Medical Center (including the Heart and Vascular Center and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital) and the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health System. Clinical training is provided in cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, electrocardiography, clinical cardiac electrophysiology, echocardiography, cardiac radionuclide imaging, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, cardiac computed tomography, stress testing, adult congenital heart disease, vascular medicine, outpatient cardiology, and cardiology consultation.

Depending on the interests of the applicant, basic research training is provided in the broad areas of cardiovascular physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, electrophysiology, molecular biology, and genetics. Research is conducted at several different levels, including studies on patients or normal subjects, on animal models, and at cellular and molecular levels. Opportunities for translational, clinical, and population science research projects are also available. Faculty in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine apply their expertise in the laboratory to the solution of specific problems. The interaction of investigators provides an optimal environment for training of young investigators and the emergence of new ideas and new directions in research. The fellowship also provides opportunity for research training with scientists in other departments who are involved in research programs within the interdisciplinary Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center. This experience is integrated with clinical training in preparation for an academic career. Research conferences and seminars are held regularly. The research experience may vary from six months to 24 months, depending on research interests. We strongly encourage applicants interested in applying for a four-year fellowship program for training as academic physician-scientists to mention their objective clearly in the personal statement. Research opportunities for cardiovascular fellows include:

  • Atherosclerosis and vascular biology
  • Bioengineering
  • Cardiac computerized tomography
  • Cardiac electrophysiology and electropharmacology
  • Cardiac hypertrophy and failure
  • Cardiac nuclear imaging
  • Clinical trials
  • Control of cerebral circulation
  • Control of circulation in heart failure
  • Cardiac metabolism
  • Cardiomyopathies, muscular dystrophies, and heart failure
  • Cardio-oncology
  • Cardiovascular genetics and development
  • CT imaging
  • Cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and other lung diseases
  • Coronary physiology
  • Defibrillation
  • Echocardiography
  • Genetics
  • Gene transfer
  • Hypertension
  • Humoral control of circulation
  • Inflammation
  • Integrative neurobiology and sensory signals in cardiovascular regulation
  • Ion channels, calcium handling, and arrhythmias
  • Lipid biochemistry
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Mechanisms of hypertension
  • Molecular biology and genetics
  • Myocardial function in physiological and pathologic states
  • Neurogenic control of circulation
  • Parasympathetic & adrenergic mechanisms
  • Valve disease
  • Vascular endothelium and smooth muscle

Prerequisites are an MD or DO degree and completion of an approved[AF1] [BCJ2]  residency in internal medicine. Approved residency programs are accredited by the ACGME, approved by the AOA, accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or accredited by ACGME International (ACGME-I). Appointments are made on an annual basis, with a starting date of July 1. The stipend is dependent on years of training.

Completed applications are reviewed by our faculty, and we invite for interview those individuals whose credentials suggest that they will have good potential to be offered an appointment. Applicants with a J-1 or H-1B visa and high scores and research publications will be considered for our fellowship program. If you are selected for an interview, we will send you a letter of invitation. Interviews will take place in September-October.

A complete ERAS application includes:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Statement of the applicant's long-term career goal and field of interest
  • Dean's letter
  • Three current letters of recommendation
  • Applicant's transcripts for USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3
  • Medical school transcript
  • Publications and manuscripts, if applicable, can be listed in the summary sheet and CV sections of the ERAS application. Applicants selected for interview may be asked to forward reprints of published articles, and copy of published or submitted manuscripts.
  • Reprints of published articles, copy of published or submitted manuscripts (if applicable)
  • A recent photograph of applicant must accompany application

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is July 16, 2025.

Selected candidates for the interview process will be notified by the first part of September.


Recruitment Timeline

  • The application deadline through ERAS is around July 16, 2025. Check back for an update.
  • We will extend invitations for interviews in mid-late August 2025.
  • Virtual interviews between September 10 and October 9 (details below)
  • New fellows will begin training on July 1, 2026

Interview Information

We will extend invitations for interviews mid-late August 2025

Virtual interviews will take place September 10, 11 17, 18, 25 and October 8 and 9, 2025. On each of these days there will be a morning session from 9am-12:30pm CDT and an afternoon session from 1pm-5pm CDT.

Interviews will be conducted individually with 3-6 of our faculty members, including the program director, the associate program directors, and the division director, for approximately 20-25 minutes each. Applicants will also have an opportunity to speak with our fellows informally following the faculty interviews. We plan to use Zoom as our interview platform if we do virtual interviews.


Eligibility Criteria

All fellow trainees selected for the Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Training Program are required to have completed an accredited three year residency program in internal medicine. Most fellowship trainees are usually selected through the NRMP (National Resident Matching Program).


Program Certification

The Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship Training Program is certified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). All fellowship trainees are required to be licensed by the Iowa Board of Medical Examiners.


Board Certification

Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process which serves multiple purposes for the trainee and the public.

Certification is

  • one mission of the training program to produce trainees who meet board eligibility criteria;
  • distinguishes a physician as someone with a distinct level of expertise;
  • provides more opportunities when applying for employment;
  • presents resources and tools by the ABMS;
  • a commitment to life-long improvement for providing the best patient care; and
  • elevates physicians into the ranks of doctors committed to the highest standards of healthcare.

For more information visit the American Board of Internal Medicine for specifics on board certification requirements.