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Lower Bucks Hospital Establishes its First-Ever Cardiology Fellowship Program
Bristol, PA (February 23, 2024) –– As part of its Graduate Medical Education (GME) program expansion, Lower Bucks Hospital will launch a new Cardiology Fellowship Program in July. This program will attract aspiring cardiologists to the region for advanced training. The program’s goal is to equip fellows, who completed their residencies, with the necessary skills for success in either academia or clinical practice related to general cardiology or one of its subspecialties.
“We are thrilled to offer this exceptional learning opportunity for future cardiologists,” said Shahzad Ahmed, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, Director of both Cardiology and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Lower Bucks Hospital. “Our fellows will gain invaluable experience in the subspecialty of cardiology and have hands-on exposure in our cutting-edge cardiac catheterization lab, allowing them to hone their skills and provide better care to our patients.”
Dr. Ahmed added, “The new cardiology fellowship program offered by Lower Bucks Hospital aligns with various efforts to enhance cardiac care in the local community, reaffirming our commitment to maintaining clinical excellence and education.”
Over a three-year period, the program selects six residents, allowing two fellows to be chosen annually. The selected participants, who are board-eligible and have completed ACGME training in internal medicine, receive instruction from a core group of experienced cardiologists with the support of the entire medical staff.
The cardiology fellows will join the medical staff and receive support from the Medical Education Committee. They will be paired with a mentor for guidance, support, and resources to maintain their physical and mental well-being. The fellows will rotate monthly within heart services and the cardiac cath program subspecialties, connecting with other specialty physicians at the hospital. In addition to their studies at Lower Bucks Hospital, fellows are encouraged to attend national conferences to bolster their learning. They will also be part of the Wellness Committee with other GME trainees within the Lower Bucks Hospital GME Department.
“We are thrilled with the interest in our fellowship program, which is a reflection of our reputation. Applicants know they will receive excellent training here, and will have exceptional experiences,” said Michelle Buado, BBA, MHA, Residency Programs Manager, Graduate Medical Education Program of Lower Bucks Hospital.
The fellowship, which has been in the planning stages for the last two years, includes a core group of cardiologists who will be actively involved with the students. Over 90 percent of the cardiology team at the hospital has asked to participate. “I think everyone realizes the importance of teaching and that, as physicians, we have the responsibility to share our knowledge,” said Dr. Ahmed.
Ronak Bhimani, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Lower Bucks Hospital, added, “The “fellowship program provides a unique and personalized training opportunity that allows each fellow to tailor their experience to align with their specific goals, interests, and career aspirations.”
Oversight for the program is through the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). According to its charter, this not-for-profit organization sets standards for U.S. graduate medical education programs, rendering accreditation based on compliance with these rigorous standards. This governing body exists to provide a structured framework to support the health and safety of patients, residents, fellows, and faculty members.
After three years of training, the American Board of Internal Medicine requires all fellows to pass a series of necessary exams before becoming board-certified cardiologists. Then, they may begin practicing or continue their studies, focusing on a subspecialty of cardiology.
There has been discussion about expanding the fellowship program in the future, making it one of the best cardiology fellowship programs in the region.
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About Lower Bucks Hospital: Lower Bucks Hospital is a community hospital, serving the Lower Bucks County region with medical, surgical, and emergency care. Located in historic Bristol, Pennsylvania, the Hospital is well-known for its knowledgeable medical staff, including cardiology, orthopedics, radiology, wound care, and general surgery. The hospital has more than 200 physicians on staff, as well as another 700 employees. As part of Prime Healthcare Services, headquartered in Ontario, California, Lower Bucks Hospital is focused on becoming one of the leaders in technology.
Prime Healthcare is an award-winning hospital management company operating 44 acute care hospitals in 14 states, including Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol, and Suburban Community Hospital in Montgomery County.
About Prime Healthcare and Prime Healthcare Foundation: Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 44 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient locations in 14 states, providing over 2.6 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation’s leading health systems with nearly 50,000 employees and physicians dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare. Fourteen of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a Top 10 and Top 15 Health System by IBM Watson Health. Its hospitals have been named among the nation’s “100 Top Hospitals” 58 times and have received more Patient Safety Excellence Awards from Healthgrades than any other health system in the past six years. To learn more, please visit www.primehealthcare.com