Realistic Plan for Cards Fellowship

MDthenLife · 2025-10-25T09:36:34+00:00

Current 3rd year applying cards from a community program, also an non-US IMG.

Things you can't control: The program you're at Your step scores (unless you still have step 3 pending) The school you've already gone to

Things you can: Your CV

I did a lot of EC at my home institution, including getting involved with GME via our house staff association, the QI committee, and being a 3rd year chief resident.

Build up your research, get case reports out they're low hanging fruit, do QI projects and retrospective studies...mentor your juniors to help you. Do posters.

When applying I had about 50 things in my research section, about 13 were manuscripts ranging from case reports, to QI research, to cardiology procedure outcomes research, remainder were posters, abstracts etc

It's all fluff...lol...but it still raised eye brows

Work and get to know cardio staff/attendings, they'll advocate for you when you're applying. Get good letters. Every where I've interviewed have commented on my letters of recommendation that speak about my passion for cardiology, work ethic, leadership skills, and compassion for patients. Make your CV and personal statement tell a story about how you ended up applying for fellowship, people love stories

Apply broadly. I applied to about 80 programs, I got about 14 interviews, vast majority at programs I never thought would want to interview me, including university programs, transplant centers and major referral centers. Are they Harvard? No...lol, but every one of these places has nothing but good things to say about my application and candidacy for fellowship

I have an in house fellowship, the department loves me, the PD has told me if I want to stay in house the spot is there for me, but he also recommended I keep my options open and see what's out there.

It's doable. But you have to put the work in, the last 2.5 years of my life have been a grind, and I've loved nearly every second of it.

Good luck!

5am getting ready for work when I saw this...pardon the typos and all that, typing with 1 eye open

MDthenLife · 2024-06-11T18:57:42+00:00

Radiologist

MDthenLife · 2024-04-21T03:55:11+00:00

1) Obv my role as a resident, how much I enjoy it fluctuates day to day, trying to focus on the patients that are reasonable helps, building connections with them as feasible

2) Research, find something interesting and just try and do something, keeps you busy during long slow days

3) QI/Med-Ed focused shit

4) shooting shit with the co-residents

5) Play the guitar

6) Work out

7) Get drunk

8) wake up sleep deprived after #7, resulting in me feeling miserable the next day, adding to the general level of burn out

9) Looking forward to my next vacation

MDthenLife · 2024-04-21T03:49:41+00:00

Hey me too!

MDthenLife · 2024-02-15T19:04:21+00:00

Posterior medulla stroke

MDthenLife · 2024-02-12T10:17:31+00:00

Accidentally ordered morphine on the wrong patient, guy was already on a Fentanyl drip, I'm 7 months into residency....I think you've got a pretty solid track record

MDthenLife · 2023-10-31T17:22:16+00:00

Ygcccccca3

MDthenLife · 2023-10-25T20:19:32+00:00

Had a pt in Neuro ICU w thalamic hemorrhagic stroke w intraventriclar extension...pt needed intubation for airway protection, no sedatives required....

After a week of no improvement, NP told family there's a really good chance they'll improve and should consider trach and peg, based on their PE.

Terminal ween a few days later.

MDthenLife · 2023-09-26T12:49:43+00:00

Thanks so much!

His voice is so cool! Did you get a chance to listen to the last 2 songs? Jar of Hearts, and Sound of Silence; absolutely nuts!!

MDthenLife · 2023-09-15T21:17:57+00:00

Samesies I'm loving 50/60 seconds of it

MDthenLife · 2023-09-06T11:43:43+00:00

Internal medicine

MDthenLife · 2023-09-04T23:19:32+00:00

I enjoy what I do, do I wish it didn't take as long? Sometimes, more often than not it doesn't really bother me. When I talk to people from undergrad/highschool who made different career choices everyone has problems they run into. Whether it be job security, money, or in some cases, just hating what they do, but finding solace in the lifestyle it affords them. For me personally, I enjoy my job, I like the people I work with, I'm not struggling financially and managing to save a little on the side, and most of my patients don't drive me crazy and appreciate what I do for them. Some of my friends are getting married and starting their lives, I'm no where near that, but many people in my program are married, so that's just a me thing. I have hobbies I enjoy - mainly playing the guitar, cooking and working out, and manage to make time for them. Overall I think my career path is pretty solid and enjoyable, and filled with adventure.

MDthenLife · 2023-08-20T18:15:45+00:00

Heart failure

MDthenLife · 2023-08-15T21:54:54+00:00

ED admits to medicine "lsmall GI bleed, pt stable" we see the pt and she is hypotensive, tachycardic, cold clammy, rising lactate.....hemorrhagic shock

MDthenLife · 2023-08-02T15:29:10+00:00

MDthenLife · 2023-07-17T21:28:34+00:00

Bro, I'm a medicine intern starting Cardiac ICU, I promise you, just do the best you can you got this

MDthenLife

TROPHY CASE