Long time lurker here. sorry only interviewed at UCLA harbor.
I am originally from west, training on east coast- trying to come back to the best coast..interested in academic medicine w/ emphasis on imaging and ACHD
my impressions of california programs are below..
1. Cedars
Pros
excellent volume for structural (largest TAVR and mitraclip program in the country) and heart transplant (highest volume center in the US). Did hear rumblings that emphasis is on numbers and not quality.
PD and interviewers seemed nice and collegial
strong CT/nuc
Overall strong reputation on west coast
They have a lot of famous cardiologists (and ranked 4th on US News)
they have a T32 grant to foster research training
Cons
Despite its reputation, the program did not come across as very academic- the PD, chiefs and faculty did try to boost the academic merits of training at Cedars, but very few graduates have taken jobs in academia at major centers.
There is less exposure to bread and butter cardiology at Cedars as it has too many privates. Privates take patients with PPO insurance from ED. Fellows rotate at Kaiser for consults, clinic and cath lab (!!!!). .. This is surprising as Cedars is rated among top interventional labs in the country.
The whole fellowship seems to be built around the Cedars’ heart failure practice. There may be a conflict of interest as the PD and HF director are married (both seemed nice!)
Low ACHD volume
Average EP
Left with mixed feelings after my interview day, as I am interested in being a clinician-educator with emphasis on imaging and possibly ACHD. The only appeal of imaging for me was the option to train in structural cath lab imaging.
2. UCLA
Pros
Great ACHD and EP programs
Ability to attain level 2 training in echo, nuclear and cath in a 3-year fellowship
Location, location, location!
Fellows seemed to be happy
Multiple sites (VA, Santa Monica etc) ensure that there is enough exposure to bread and butter cardiology. I want to be a better general cardiologist before I can do TAVRs, ACHD etc.
STAR pathway prolongs fellowship by 2-3 years but ensures enough protected research time, able to get MPH/PhD during fellowship
In terms of academic reputation for cardiology UCLA > Cedars, USC
PD Karol Watson was very personable and would be a great mentor
Affiliation with VA (VA was previously with Cedars)
Cons
Atmosphere can be a little malignant, too much politics
Low interventional numbers at Raegan
Average imaging
heart failure not as strong as it used to be (trying to make a come-back)
Attendings and fellows appeared overworked
3. UCSF
Pros
Great EP, ACHD and PH programs, very strong echo lab
Very strong academic reputation
Between the 3 sites and Mission Bay campus there are plenty of opportunities for clinical and bench research- all subspecialties of cardiology are well represented.
Has 3 different settings for clinical training (VA, county-SFGH, Moffit- quaternary level medicine). The sites compliment each other well (for example cath numbers at Moffitt are low; however fellows get great diagnostic cath training at SFGH and VA).
Strong representation of women in faculty
Faculty seemed to be very supportive and nice (unlike few big east coast places I looked at).
Great interface with tech industry in SF
Few graduates have gone on to avant garde career paths like tech and finance. Most trainees pursue traditional academic and private practice routes.
Able to get level 2 cath, echo and nuclear in 3 year fellowship.
Cons
Low interventional and transplant volume- Stanford beats them here. Low procedural volume at Moffitt in general (like caths, TEE).
Very busy first year (almost 60-70 home calls)
First two years are very busy (3rd year is all elective is a big pro)
Lot of emphasis is on ‘learning by doing’ and didactics in fellowship are few
Few attendings are hyper-obsessive (AKA perfectionists) and there is too much emphasis on trying to outshine one’s colleagues (competitive atmosphere)
4. UCLA harbor- nice program, county hospital (some lack of resources like very limited 3D echo etc), collegial, did not stand out except for cardiac CT. Graduates are able to match in to better subspecialty fellowships.
