Whats the process to study Cardiology as a D.O. (NYCOM) student

[theDr.]

Hello,
I am a NYCOM a student and wanted to know the process of obtaining a cardiology fellowship as a D.O. student. I know you must complete a IM residency and then a cardiology fellowship.

However, would you recommend doing an D.O. IM residency or an allopathic residency? What is the best route?

Also, will NYCOM provide good exposure to my field of interst? Have many student from NYCOM gone on to land a cardiology fellowship. thank for the words of advice.

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[DrWBD]

As a DO training in a NY ACGME Internal Medicine program, I'd say don't even waste your time training in an osteopathic internal medicine program (of course, I'm biased). With that said, however, DOs applying for ACGME fellowships in the competitive specialties like Cardiology and Gastroenterology tend to fare better applying to programs in house rather than outside.

If you are set on having AOA approval of your training, you might want to look into programs in NYCOMEC with dual-accredited internships like Maimonides (an underrated but somewhat solid community hospital in Brooklyn with lots of subspecialty opportunities, including Cardiology), Nassau University Medical Center (mostly FMG but they are trying to get more DO's into their program, they also have a lot of subspecialists and supposedly recruit only from their IM residency) and Newark Beth Israel.

For any subspecialty, research is extremely important, whether you're an MD or DO. Getting a mentor and starting early is a great way to get a leg up on your competition, especially because internship year in a lot of residency programs usually doesn;t allow for a lot of free time for dedicated research.

NYCOM will not lift a finger to help you get a cardiology position (at least this was the case when I was there). If you are interested you have to be proactive and do lots of the legwork on your own. I know that NYCOM doesn't allow much time for anything other than clinical rotations in the 4th year, but anything at all that you could participate in can only help you.

As for your question about how many NYCOM grads get a Cardiology position, I don't have an answer. I know that at my institution we have 2 senior cardiology fellows who are DOs and one who was just accepted into the program. None of them went to NYCOM though.

Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[nycom1999]

Hello,
I graduated NYCOM in 1999. I did a rotating internship, then an IM residency (Allopathic) both in the city. I joined the USAF in residency and did a Medicine tour in Germany (FUN). I applied for Cardiology (Military Fellowship) and was accepted. I will start this July. While not the traditional route, the military does not descriminate between DO or MD's. Also, I will keep my rank and pay as a Major during the fellowship. I will owe three years after trainning (Active Duty) time. Fellowship is hard to get, especially CARDS, but there are always alternatives out there.

NYCOM Class of 99

 

[gagolden]

Is this a option?...

1) Can you do a Allopathic IM program, and get your internship year approved for duel certification. Say I went to..Nebraska or Colorado and would easily get it approved.

2) After that can you apply to AOA cardiology programs, or does your entire IM residency need to be at a AOA program.

Not that Im trying to sell my self short, but attending a quality IM residency is important to me, but I understand that Cards is competative and would like to have the greatest number of fellowships available to me.

thanks