Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program

The Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program aims to train physicians who are recognized for clinical quality excellence and compassionate care, committed to impacting health and health care disparities in the community we serve.  Upon completion of internal medicine residency training, the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program will provide a curricula tailored to each fellow’s needs and goals in accordance with ACGME-established guidelines in order to become board-eligible in adult cardiovascular medicine.

During training, fellows rotate through the cardiac catheterization laboratory, echocardiography, electrophysiology, ICU and cardiology imaging.  Fellow will train in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  One-half day per week is spent outpatient continuity clinic; fellows are expected to participate in research. This intensive experience occurs under the close supervision of full-time faculty; fellows will use EPIC to document all encounters. 

Program Requirements

The program incorporates individualized educational experiences (IEE) as allowed by the ACGME; specifically, the program will allocate up to six months of IEE/electives during the three years for those fellows who have achieved or are on target to achieve milestone competence in the foundational areas in their training. 

  • 1 Month Cath
  • 2 Months Echo
  • 1 Month Elective
  • 2 Months Consults
  • 2 Months ICU
  • HF Palliative
  • 1 Month EP
  • 2 Months Outpatient
  • Weekly Continuity

  • 3 Months Cath
  • 1 Month Echo
  • 2 Months Elective
  • 1 Month Consults
  • 1 Month ICU
  • 1 Month HF
  • 1 Month EP
  • 2 Months Imaging
  • Weekly Continuity

  • 2 Months Cath
  • 1 Month Imaging
  • 3 Months Elective
  • 2 Months Consults
  • 1 Month Cardiac Rehab Preventive
  • 1 Month Vascular
  • 1 Month EP
  • 1 Month Outpatient
  • Weekly Continuity

cardiovascular disease fellowship program requirements pie chart


  • Didactics will be offered in several settings, including as part of the weekly "academic half day" on Thursday afternoons. Sessions include faculty-driven lectures tied to board review material, case review, Grand Rounds, Patient Safety, Communication and Journal Club.
  • Research opportunities are individualized to each learner’s interests.  Fellows will present their abstracts orally or in poster sessions annually at the MLH Research Symposium held in April.

Salary and Benefits

As hospital employees, fellows will receive benefits that mirror all full-time employees.  Annually, the salary and benefit structures are set by the Graduate Medical Education Committee and will be shared with you when your interview is scheduled.

  • Parking is free
  • Fellows are provided a daily meal stipend  
  • Three weeks of vacation annually are provided
  • Malpractice is covered by an SVMIC policy while in the program

Applications & Interviews

Recruitment is coordinated by the program. Two fellows will be recruited for each class. Candidates must graduate from an ACGME-accredited Internal Medicine Residency Program.  Interviews will be scheduled by invitation only.

Applications Must Include:

  • Personal Statement
  • At least 3 Letters of Recommendation (1 must be from your residency Program Director)
  • USMLE or COMLEX Transcript (Successfully passing Step/Level 3)
  • Medical School Transcript

About the Institution

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH), an integrated, not-for-profit healthcare system based in Memphis, Tennessee, with hospital locations, ambulatory practices, and post-acute care partners across the Mid-South, has had a long, successful history as an ACGME clinical learning environment (CLE).  MLH currently supports over 300 fellows and fellows through formal affiliation agreements.

Program Director

Ajay Dalal, MD

Ajay Dalal, MD

Program Director
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
ACGME # 1414714002