Cardiology
Cardiology is a branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and cardiovascular disorders.
The Division of Cardiology is located geographically at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) including the General and Riverside Campuses. The Division provides tertiary care cardiology service for Ottawa and the Champlain Health District with a referral population of greater than 1.5 million people. The Division is the largest within the Department of Medicine. Our division includes not only cardiologists but also lipid, hypertension, and cardiac rehabilitation specialists and PhD scientists. Members have been recognized locally, nationally and internationally for excellence and innovations in clinical care, teaching and scholarship in education as well as basic/translational science and clinical research.
- Pre-Clerkship electives are available to first and second year uOttawa medical students.
- Clerkship electives are available to all fourth-year medical students throughout Canada and Internationally. At uOttawa, students can choose between a two-week elective in the Clinical Teaching Units (CTUs) or in the Consult/Triage (C/T). Applications are accepted via the AFMC portalnorth_eastexternal link.
More information can be found on the UGME - Plan an Elective page.
Electives for uOttawa residents
Internal resident interested in doing an elective, should contact their Program Administrator, who will then help them find inquire whether the hospital they want to rotate through has a spot available.
Electives for non-uOttawa residents
Interested residents should apply a minimum of 60 days in advance via the electives portal. More information can be found on the Electives page.
The purpose of an observership is to gain knowledge and expertise concerning health care and services, such as patient care procedures, within a hospital or healthcare organization.
Observerships may be arranged with the individual programs in the Ottawa regional hospitals by contacting the Program Director in the hospital in which you wish to have observer status.
Resident Observerships are not available in the Core Internal Medicine Specialty.
Arrangements are not provided by the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office of the University of Ottawa and observers do not register with the PGME Office.
If you encounter any technical issues, please contact the PGME office at pgme@uOttawa.ca.
Core Internal Medicine
Visit our webpage to know more information about this program.
Physicians at the Heart Institute hold teaching appointments within the University’s Faculty of Medicine, overseeing students in their cardiac rotations, residency, and Fellowship programs.
Residency training for Cardiology includes rotations in the Coronary Care Unit, Catheterization Lab, Consultation Service, Cardiology Ward, Electrophysiology, Echocardiography, Non-Invasive Testing, Nuclear Cardiology, Research, Cardiac CT, Pediatric Cardiology, Adult Congenital Cardiology, and Ambulatory Cardiac Care.
Fellowships and Research Fellowships are also offered in Echocardiography, Invasive Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology, Cardiac CT, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The scope of all of the educational programs extends beyond normal parameters, encompassing areas such as advanced practice nursing, research methodology, biostatistics, and medical ethics.
Our Cardiology Program is a fully accredited postgraduate training program by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. It is a three-year program that provides training in all of the clinical and technical aspects in cardiology.
Requirements for Postgraduate Training in Cardiology are as follows:
- Three years of training in Internal Medicine in an approved training program including a maximum of six months in clinical cardiology
- Three years of training in cardiology
General objectives of the Cardiology Training Program include:
- To produce a specialist in Cardiology with a high degree of skill and knowledge in all aspects of modern clinical cardiology, with a demonstrated ability to act as a consultant to other physicians including other specialists and surgeons.
- To provide training in specific sub-specialties of cardiology and to meet guidelines developed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.
- As per the guidelines of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Heart Institute provides full training in Adult Cardiology as follows:
- 14 blocks of clinical residency:
- Four blocks acute cardiac care
- Six blocks clinical cardiology (including cardiology CTU and consultation)
- Two blocks ambulatory cardiology
- Two blocks pediatric cardiology
- 14 blocks of laboratory-based residency:
- Four blocks cardiac catheterization
- Four blocks echocardiography
- Two blocks electrophysiology / pacemaker
- Two blocks ECG / ambulatory ECG monitoring / exercise stress testing
- Two blocks nuclear cardiology
- Four blocks elective
- Four blocks research (clinical and/or basic)
Residents rotate through the clinical services primarily during their first two years of training; generally performing two consecutive blocks at once. Residents do two blocks of dedicated time in the Ambulatory Care Clinic. This can be performed at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the Ottawa Hospital – General Site, or the Ottawa Cardiovascular Centre (which is a private practice group in the City of Ottawa). Residents also do out-patient clinics during specific rotations such as the Clinical Teach Unit service (Team Blue), the Arrhythmia Service (for both in-patient and out-patient consultations), and the Adult Congenital Clinic.
In-patient clinical experience is the primary duty of the residents while they are performing pediatric rotation at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Finally, third-year residents will run a longitudinal clinic – a one-year clinic where they spend one day per week with an attending cardiologist. The resident is assigned patients and expected to manage all aspects of their cardiac care using the staff cardiologist as a resource.
Residents are given graded responsibility with close supervision of their activities in the first year, with increasing autonomy in the second year. Third-year residents, while on call, do call from home allowing them to provide consultative support to more junior house staff.
Laboratory rotations are organized throughout all three years. Residents receive graded instruction in various technical aspects with examinations at the end of each of these rotations. During their third year, the residents are given additional opportunities to focus on a specific area of special interest. For example, residents are given the opportunity for extra time in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory if they are pursuing an Interventional Fellowship program.
Research
Four blocks of research are also spread out throughout the entire three years. Residents are contacted to discuss research and introduced to research projects underway at the Heart Institute. At least one research project is identified and conducted during their three-year residency.
Residents are required to make one presentation during the Heart Institute Research Day during their first two years and all residents are required to present a research topic during their third year. Residents are encouraged to present their research material at national and international meetings.
Elective rotations
In addition to core cardiology training, the Division of Cardiology at the Heart Institute encourages residents from other centres to perform electives. Residents contact the Program Director to arrange these electives in all areas of subspecialty cardiology. Our program has particular strengths in Interventional and Cardiac Catheterization, Echocardiography, Electrophysiology, Nuclear Medicine / PET Imaging, and Cardiac Transplantation.
The training program is three years with further Fellowship training available in subspecialties. The program includes the following clinical and laboratory aspects of cardiology: Electrocardiography, Echo Doppler, Nuclear Cardiology including PET Imaging, Invasive Cardiology, Angiography and Hemodynamics, Electrophysiology, and Pacemaker/Defibrillator.
Principal goals are to develop clinical diagnostic skills with emphasis on history taking and physical examination and the use of sound principles of logic and deduction to make an accurate bedside diagnosis in all aspects of adult cardiovascular disease. Other skills involve a wide variety of cardiology subjects including:
- Selection of patients for surgery
- Indications for and use of rehabilitation programs
- Pharmacology of drugs
- Dietetics
- Psychological aspects of cardiac disease
- Preventive cardiac medicine
Skills will relate to all aspects of acute coronary care, including prevention and management of dysrhythmias and the use of invasive techniques such as intra-arterial catheter insertion and Swan-Ganz catheter insertion, for example. Training involves using drugs in the management of low output states and cardiogenic shock, familiarity with methods of mechanical support of the circulation and indications for and management of cardiac transplantation.
Other skill development involves the use of non-invasive forms of investigation, including:
- ECG Exercising Testing and Holter Monitoring
- Echocardiography and Doppler Ultrasound
- Imaging and functional testing using radioisotopes including PET Scanning
Program content
A flexible rotation list is combined with a wide variety of teaching rounds with attending cardiologists for daily rounds in the Coronary Care Unit and weekly professor rounds. Weekly conferences cover hemodynamics, electrocardiography and non-invasive testing procedures, and weekly lectures and combined rounds with the departments of Cardiac Surgery and Pathology. In addition, a weekly one-hour post-graduate course covers aspects of basic and clinical science and a regular journal club is available.
The rotation plan is influenced by individual need:
- CCU: 4 months
- Echo Doppler: 4 months
- Nuclear Cardiology: 2 months
- Cath Lab: 4 months
- Congenital Heart Disease: 2 months (including pediatric cardiology)
- Electrophysiology: 4 months
- Heart Failure & Transplantation: 2 months
- Research: 4 months
- Electives: 4 months
Our program is designed to accommodate level 2 training Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) in Echo Doppler or Cardiac Catheterization. In addition, one year of training can be provided towards North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE) qualifications in EP. Electives are offered in Research, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Preventive Cardiology, Lipidology Hypertension, or further training in the basic rotations. Cardiology Training for Residents in Internal Medicine, Anesthesia, Family Practice, and Emergency Medicine Trainees in Internal Medicine at the University of Ottawa rotate through the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and gain experience in bedside diagnosis and management, coronary care, and the insertion of Swan-Ganz and transvenous pacemakers. In selected cases, a one-year training program in Cardiology is available to those residents who wish to continue their training in Internal Medicine with a special interest in Cardiology. In addition, training periods are provided for residents in Anesthesia, Family Practice, and Emergency Medicine, particularly in electrocardiography and acute coronary care.
Program Training Committee A Program Director, Chief of Cardiology, Chief Cardiology Resident, four staff cardiologists from various subspecialty aspects (including representation from the Ottawa Hospital – General Site) and an elected cardiology resident form the training committee, which meets every month. Residents are interviewed quarterly with the Director. The Chief Cardiology Resident plays an important part in the committee and participates in all discussions.
Applications should be sent to:
Dr. Michael Froeschl
Program Director (Adult Cardiology)
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
3411-40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON. K1Y 4W7
Canada
For further information, please contact:
Hala Shehade
Program Administrator
Email: hshehade@ottawaheart.ca
What we offer you
The Advanced Clinical Cardiology Fellowship provides experience in the overall care of cardiac patients, including the use of specific cardiac treatment modalities and the integration of cardiac treatment with the treatment of co-existing not cardiac conditions. During the fellowship, trainees will gain experience in the state of the art care of CHF, Acute Coronary Syndromes, Valvular Heart Disease and Arrhythmias, and the integration of this care with treatment of co-existing non-cardiac conditions in consultation with consultants in relevant areas. Fellows will also gain practical experience in the practice of medicine in a Canadian context. This will include the practical delivery of medical care, dealing with the issues that affect the length of stay, the planning of long-term care and working with social agencies and community services to optimize long-term outcomes.
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is a dedicated cardiac centre with a unique Advanced Clinical Cardiology Program. The core fellowship program will consist primarily of in-patient clinical service.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): MD with training in Internal Medicine or Cardiology Eligible for educational license in Ontario
- Estimated % clinical workload: 80%
- Number of positions annually: 1-2
- Duration: 2 years
- Start date: July 1st
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca or 613-696-7273
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Alper Aydin
What we offer you
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute offers Clinical Fellowships and Research Fellowships in the following fields: Echocardiography; Electrophysiology; Heart Failure; Interventional Cardiology; Nuclear Cardiology; Cardiac CT; Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is a dedicated cardiac centre with a unique Cardiac Imaging Program. Trainees work in a centre with dedicated CT, MRI, PET and Nuclear Cardiology equipment and staff. They learn under the guidance of world leaders and internationally recognized experts in Cardiac Imaging.
During the fellowship, the trainees will obtain clinical expertise in cardiac imaging. There is a strong emphasis on clinical competence and excellence. In addition, trainees acquire research skills that are relevant for cardiac imaging.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): Cardiologist (≥PGY-6), Nuclear Medicine or Radiologist. Foreign Medical Graduates may have different requirements depending on institutional/national requisites/training needs.
- Estimated % clinical workload: 67-80%
- Number of positions annually: 10-12
- Duration: 2-3 years
- Start date: July 1st, however start dates are negotiable
- Application deadline: Fall of preceding year
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca or 613-696-7273
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Benjamin Chow
What we offer you
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is one of the largest cardiovascular institutions in Canada. The UOHI provides the full spectrum of advanced cardiovascular care with annual volumes of > 1,400 open-heart surgical procedures, > 8,000 catheterizations/PCIs, > 600 EP ablations and > 900 EP devices. The UOHI has active programs in advanced cardiac care including cardiac transplantation, LVAD, TAVI, MV clip, percutaneous paravalvular regurgitation closures, LAA occlusion, ethanol septal ablation, complex EP ablation and adult congenital heart intervention. The UOHI Echocardiography Laboratory is one of the largest and most active cardiovascular ultrasound units in Canada. Annual volumes include > 16,000 TTEs, > 900 TEEs (not including intra-operative) and > 600 stress echocardiograms (exercise and pharmacological). Routine 3D and contrast imaging has been integrated into daily clinical care. The laboratory has 11 rooms dedicated for ultrasound imaging, 13 echo systems and 15 sonographers on staff. The laboratory was fully digitized in 2004 and has had ongoing accreditation with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) since 2008. The laboratory has been also accredited by the CCN (Ontario Cardiovascular Care Network) since 2015. The UOHI echocardiography is staffed by 7 full-time academic, Level III echocardiographers (including two clinician-scientists) covering a range of sub-specialty expertise. The UOHI echocardiography laboratory provides 24/7 on-call services.
The UOHI echocardiography laboratory has had a very successful adult echocardiography Fellowship Program since 1988, which has attracted numerous national and international trainees. In 2014, the laboratory was the first site in the country to receive formal accreditation by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to provide training in order to be eligible for the area of focus (AFC) echocardiography sub-specialty diploma. The Fellowship provides an extensive and structured academic curriculum, delivered on a weekly basis. During their training, Fellows are exposed to a large volume and range of clinical cases and are involved in multiple scholar activities. All clinical and research activities are centred at the UOHI.
Three fully-funded positions are usually available. Training duration is a minimum of 12 months but can extend to 24 months. Typically, training starts July 1.
Candidates should apply 15-18 months before start dates. Positions are typically offered 12 months before the start date. Preliminary enquiries can be sent to lbeauchesne@ottawaheart.ca.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): Adult cardiology training
- Estimated % clinical workload: 80%
- Number of positions annually: 5
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Start date: July 1, however start dates are negotiable
- Application deadline: Spring of preceding year
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca or 613-696-7273
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Luc Beauchesne
What we offer you
Full EP/Arrhythmia fellowship focusing entirely on heart rhythm management: diagnostic EP, ablation, Cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIED) implantation and follow-up, Inherited Arrhythmia Clinic, arrhythmia-related research.
This is a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) accredited Area of Focused Competence (AFC) Program.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): Completion of Royal College Cardiology or equivalent
- Estimated % clinical workload: 70%
- Number of positions annually: 5-6
- Duration: 2-3 years
- Start date: July 1st, however flexible
- Application deadline: 1 year prior to intended start
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca or 613-696-7273
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Mouhannad Sadek
What we offer you
This is a 1-2 year fellowship dedicated to the management of patients with advanced heart failure including cardiac transplantation and advanced mechanical support (left ventricular assist devices). Fellows will learn how to manage these patients both acutely in the in-patient setting and chronically in out-patient clinics.
Fellows are responsible for rounding on the heart failure service and attending clinics. There will be a small component of on-call work (1 weekend/month).
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): Completed General Cardiology residency
- Estimated % clinical workload: 85%
- Number of positions annually: 1-2
- Duration: One-year minimum, second year with increased research focus may be an option
- Start date: July 1st, however flexible
- Application deadline: Fall of the year prior to starting
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca or 613-696-7273
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Ellamae Stadnick
What we offer you
The adult interventional cardiology program offers comprehensive training in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and percutaneous structural interventions. Our program provides trainees with a regimented educational program in a high-volume environment inclusive of both stable and unstable coronary syndromes and multiple state-of-the-art structural interventional technologies. Trainees obtain educational opportunities in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, ambulatory clinic and research settings. In addition to hands-on training, trainees attend multiple didactic and interactive rounds weekly. Our interventional program is also one of the first in Canada to be approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for an Area of Focused Competence (AFC) accreditation. All graduates of the program are eligible for AFC diploma certification (see below).
The Area of Focused Competence (AFC) program
The AFC program is competency-based as per the Royal College (C Standards). Upon satisfactory completion, graduates can receive a Diploma of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (DRCPSC) and will be recognized nationally and internationally as individuals who have sought to advance their knowledge and expertise with additional complementary skills and competencies.
To be eligible for the AFC program, candidates must be Royal College certified or eligible for Royal College examinations in Cardiology or its equivalents.
Equivalency must include at least:
- eight (8) months of clinical cardiology (including at least four (4) months of CCU)
- three (3) months of cardiac catheterization
- four (4) months of echocardiography
- one (1) month of electrophysiology
- one (1) month of nuclear cardiology/exercise stress testing
Internationally-trained cardiologists will require a demonstration of equivalency for entrance.
Program in Structural Heart Disease Intervention
Further fellowship focusing on complex structural intervention is also offered. Interventions including TAVI, mitral clip, ASD, PFO closure and left atrial appendage closure are included in the curriculum. This is offered only to candidates who have completed at least one year of core training in percutaneous coronary interventions and have proven competency as per Royal College AFC requirements.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): Adult Cardiology training as per above
- Estimated % clinical workload: 80%
- Number of positions annually: 6-7
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Start date: July 1st, however flexible
- Application deadline: Typically 14-18 months prior to start date
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca or 613-696-7273
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Derek So
Aim of the program
The Cardiac Sarcoidosis Fellow will:
- Gain a detailed understanding of the clinical management of all aspects of Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
- Gain a detailed understanding of all aspects of imaging of all aspects of Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
- Learn about clinical management of other organ involvement in sarcoidosis.
- Fully understand all investigations used in diagnosis of Cardiac Sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis in general (including pathology).
- Complete at least two Cardiac Sarcoidosis related research projects (basic science and/or clinical research). The expected research is expected to take 75% of fellows time.
- Write one Cardiac Sarcoidosis review article or editorial.
Specific activities
The Cardiac Sarcoidosis Fellow will:
- See a wide variety of patient in-patient and out-patient consultations related to Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
- Attend at least 6 specialty clinics in pulmonary sarcoidosis, eye sarcoidosis, skin sarcoidosis.
- Be involved in the interpretation of 100 FDG-PET scan, ordered for the assessment of possible Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
- Be involved in the interpretation of 100 FDG-PET scans ordered for the assessment of possible Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
- Attend endobronchial ultrasonography session.
- Complete at least two Cardiac Sarcoidosis related research projects (basic science and/or clinical research).
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): MD with training in Internal Medicine or Cardiology eligible for educational license in Ontario
- Estimated % clinical workload: 20-50%
- Number of positions annually: 1
- Duration: 1 Year
- Start date: July 1st (however flexible)
- Fellowship Directors: Dr. David Birnie
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@uottawaheart.ca (613-696-7273)
Aim of the program
The Pulmonary Hypertension Fellow will:
- Gain an understanding of the epidemiology, etiological classification and pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension
- Fully understand the role of all investigations used in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension
- Gain a detailed understanding of both the acute and chronic clinical management of all aspects of pulmonary hypertension
- Understand the role and appropriateness of advanced therapies, lung transplantation and palliative care in the management of pulmonary hypertension.
- Gain a detailed understanding of major society guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary hypertension (e.g., CCS, AHA/ACC, ATS, ESC)
- Participate in clinical research in the field of pulmonary hypertension
- Attend in outpatient clinics in pulmonary hypertension (2 full days per week)
- Be involved in the interpretation for invasive hemodynamic assessment and/or pharmacologic tailoring for pulmonary hypertension
- Be involved in the initiation of oral and intravenous vasoactive pharmacotherapies
- Be involved in the multidisciplinary team care of patients with pulmonary hypertension including collaboration with palliative and supportive care professionals
- Be involved in clinical research in pulmonary hypertension
- Provide inpatient pulmonary hypertension service as required.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): MD with training in Internal Medicine, Cardiology or Respirology and eligible for an educational license in Ontario.
- Estimated % clinical workload: 80%
- Number of positions annually: 1
- Duration: 1 year
- Start date: July 1st, however flexible
- Fellowship Director: Dr. Lisa Mielniczuk & Dr. George Chandy
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca; Phone: 613-696-7273
What we offer you
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is one of the largest cardiovascular institutions in Canada. The fellowship will provide advanced state of the art knowledge in the evaluation and management of patients with valvular heart diseases (VHD). The fellow will also actively participate in VHD research covering potentially all aspects related to epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging, and therapeutic interventions. The fellow will be affiliated to the UOHI Center for Valvular Heart Disease led by the director of the fellowship. The expected time allocation is 2/3rds clinical and 1/3rd research. As part of the trainee’s clinical activities on a weekly basis, the Fellow will attend 2 half-days of valvular heart disease clinic, 3 half-days in the UOHI Echocardiography Laboratory performing and interpreting transthoracic, transesophageal and stress echocardiography on valve disease patients, and attend surgical and transcatheter interventions (1-2 half-days). In addition, the Fellow will attend weekly educational and specialized procedural rounds (echocardiography, percutaneous clip, TAVR, CVHD and infective endocarditis).
The candidate should first send a letter of motivation and at least 2 support letters directly to the director of the VHD fellowship. Following interview(s) with by the director of the VHD fellowship, the candidate will formally submit his application to the University of Ottawa.
Application details:
- Prerequisite(s): Adult Cardiology training, Cardiologist (≥PGY-6), level 2 or ideally 3 in echocardiography.
- Estimated % clinical workload: 67%
- Number of positions annually: 1-2
- Duration: 1-2 year
- Start date: July 1st, however flexible
- Fellowship Director: Dr. David Messika-Zeitoun
- Contact: Keri O’Reilly at koreilly@ottawaheart.ca; Phone: 613-696-7273