Advanced Pediatric Cardiac Interventional Fellowship in Electrophysiology or Cardiac Catheterization
The Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Interventional fellowship is based in the Division of Cardiology at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, an academic affiliate of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. This one-year fellowship has one potential opening each year.
Current Fellow Testimonials
Education
Fellows are expected to participate in teaching and quality improvement conferences. The Division of Cardiology offers opportunities to attend education conferences including surgical case conference, academic seminars, cath lecture series, and EP conferences. In addition to weekly conferences, the Division of Cardiology has visiting professors and opportunities to attend national meetings.
Diversity & Inclusion
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine seeks to attract inquisitive, motivated fellows and is committed to providing them with every opportunity for success. We encourage a diverse and inclusive work environment that allows each trainee to achieve their personal goals.
For more information on Northwestern’s commitment to diversity, please see the McGaw Diversity & Inclusion page, the Northwestern McGaw Underrepresented Residents & Fellows Forum and Feinberg School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Research
Participation in clinical research will be expected and supported. Fellows may have the opportunity to continue previous research endeavors from their categorical cardiology fellowship. More commonly, the expectation is that the fellow will initiate and/or participate in a high-quality research endeavor. Fellows have the support of the Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, which includes access to research coordinators and statistical support. Trainees are expected to complete at least one project and publish original research as first author.
Clinical Experience
Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Catheterization
The Cardiac Catheterization program’s clinical activity consists of ~1000 invasive procedures annually, performed in 2 dedicated biplane catheterization laboratories or bedside in the CICU. Senior fellows are expected to perform at least 250 cases over the course of the year, participate in the pre-procedural evaluation of patients, preparation of the patient for the procedure, performance of the procedure, and post-catheterization care.
Each fellow’s experience will be unique but we make efforts to provide training congruent with the recommendations outlined in SCAI expert consensus statement for advanced training programs in pediatric and congenital interventional cardiac catheterization (Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014 Nov 1;84(5):779-84). The fellow’s experience should include, but is not limited, to the following:
- Device closures; ASD, VSD, PDA, collaterals, using closure devices and plugs
- Angioplasty procedures
- Valvuloplasty procedures (including transcatheter valve implantation)
- Stent insertion
- Atrial transseptal punctures
- Procedures to open the atrial septum
- Other procedures including hybrid procedures, pericardiocentesis, endomyocardial biopsies, coil and particle occlusion
Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing
Trainees will be trained in a variety of settings including inpatient consults, outpatient clinic and device management, and within the electrophysiology lab. Procedures include device implants, noninvasive and invasive EP studies. Training will include radiofrequency as well as cryothermal ablation techniques and radiation reduction/elimination with electroanatomic mapping.
Trainees will each have unique experiences, but efforts will be made to provide training congruent with recommendations described in Recommendations for advanced fellowship training in clinical pediatric and congenital electrophysiology (Heart Rhythm 2013; 10:775-781). The fellow’s experience will include, but is not limited to:
- Place implantable loop recorders, transvenous pacemakers, transvenous and subcutaneous ICDs
- Perform routine invasive EP procedures, including diagnostic and therapeutic intervention
- Interrogate and manage cardiac rhythm devices
- Provide consultation on inpatient and outpatient electrophysiology patients
- Successfully pass the electrophysiology examination from the International Board of Heart Rhythm examiners
Requirements & Eligibility
Applicants must be board-certified in pediatrics through the American Board of Pediatrics and must be board-certified/eligible in pediatric cardiology. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States and obtain an Illinois State medical license.
We strive for a diverse group of trainees and look to find highly-qualified members of under-represented groups. International Medical Graduates are welcome to apply but must meet specific criteria, including a valid ECFMG certificate and documentation of U.S. citizenship, valid green card, or J-1 visa as per the requirements set forth by Northwestern McGaw Medical Center. Our program does not sponsor H-1B visas.
Application Process
We are actively accepting applications for the 2025-26 Cardiac Catheterization position.
Interested individuals should forward the following materials to the program coordinator (bdixon@luriechildrens.org) :
- Letter of intent
- Personal statement
- Current CV
- 3 letters of recommendation
- McGaw application
Advocacy
Discover the many ways our faculty are impacting children's health beyond the hospital.
Global Health
Each year, as many as 20 third-year pediatric residents travel to Bugando Medical Center in Mwanza, Tanzania, to participate in an educational initiative that provides exposure to the management of complex pediatric diseases in a low-resource setting. Learn more about this extraordinary opportunity.
Why Northwestern?
Housestaff training through McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago. Learn more via the links to the McGaw website below.
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Contact Us
Sami Chaouki, MD, PhD
Program Director, Advanced Pediatric Cardiac Interventional Fellowship
Cardiology
312.227.4100
Paul Tannous, MD, PhD
Associate Program Director, Advanced Pediatric Cardiac Interventional Fellowship
Cardiology
312.227.4100
Brittany Dixon
Manager, Medical Education and Academic Services, Advanced Pediatric Cardiac Interventional Fellowship
Manager, Medical Education and Academic Services, Advanced Pediatric Cardiology Non-Invasive Imaging Fellowship
Manager, Medical Education and Academic Services, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Fellowship
Manager, Medical Education and Academic Services, Pediatric Heart Failure/Heart Transplantation Fellowship
Manager, Medical Education and Academic Services, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Cardiology
312.227.5329