Interventional and Structural Cardiology Fellowship Program

Interventional and structural cardiology training in San Diego

Interventional and Structural Cardiovascular Fellows

Interventional and structural cardiology training in San Diego

The Scripps Clinic Interventional and Structural Cardiology Fellowship Program is a two-year training program organized under the directorship of Curtiss T. Stinis, MD. The program consists of an ACGME-accredited first year focused on coronary interventions, followed by a second year of training focused on structural heart and peripheral vascular interventions. During the second year of training fellows also serve as junior faculty members and independent operators during coronary procedures.  


The program is known for its excellent teaching faculty whose combined expertise covers the full breadth of interventional cardiology. Research and scholarly activities are supported by faculty and research mentors with access to the resources of the world-renowned Scripps Research Institute. The program accepts three fellows per year.


A nationally recognized heart care leader, we are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery. 

Program highlights

The program provides the largest procedural volume on the West Coast and one of the highest procedure-to-fellow ratios in the country.  


During the first year of training, fellows will learn coronary angiography and interventional skills including coronary angioplasty and stent implantation, intracoronary imaging, coronary physiology, rotational and laser atherectomy procedures, intravascular lithotripsy, chronic total occlusions, STEMI interventions, and intracoronary brachytherapy procedures.  


During the second year of training fellows will master coronary interventional procedures while also learning structural heart and peripheral vascular procedures including:


  • Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
  • Transcatheter mitral valve (TEER and TMVR)
  • Transcatheter tricuspid valve (TEER and TTVR)
  • Transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement (TPVR)
  • ASD, PFO and VSD closure procedures
  • Left atrial appendage occlusion
  • Pulmonary thrombectomy procedures for pulmonary embolism
  • Mechanical circulatory support (IABP, Impella, ECMO, Tandem Heart)
  • Catheter-based interventions for claudication and critical limb ischemia
  • Renal artery stenting and denervation procedures
  • Subclavian and mesenteric artery interventions 
  • Alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Alternative access for TAVR and MCS (transaxillary, transcaval)


Fellows graduating from the program will be poised to assume positions of leadership in the field of interventional cardiology.

Message from the program director

Message from the program director

Our director summarizes how the interventional and structural cardiology fellowship offers trainees an exceptional experience.

Scripps Health interventional cardiologist Curtiss Stinis, MD

From the program director, Curtiss T. Stinis, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Dear Fellowship Candidate,


Thank you for your interest in doing your interventional cardiology training at Scripps. We strive to provide an optimal training environment in which you can develop into an outstanding interventionalist. Our trainees benefit from access to the latest devices and technologies available while practicing within state-of-the-art facilities. Scripps Clinic is a busy referral center, from around the region and the world, and the depth and breadth of our patient population is excellent. Our graduates go on to be exceptional teachers, colleagues and thought leaders in interventional cardiology.


Our program is unique in that we are high volume yet maintain a relatively small faculty-to-fellow ratio. This allows for a collegial and supportive learning environment with a philosophy of progressive autonomy. We are dedicated to our fellows and take personal interest and responsibility for their advancement and achievement. We work closely with our colleagues in general cardiology, advanced heart failure, electrophysiology, and cardiothoracic surgery to provide exceptional individualized care to our patients, and our fellows play an integral role in the care team. I am honored to be the Program Director for the Scripps Clinic Interventional and Cardiology Fellowship Program, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you on your journey to become an outstanding interventional cardiologist.


Sincerely,


Curtiss T. Stinis, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Fellowship Program Director

Scripps Clinic Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program

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Scripps Clinic cardiologists at work

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Prebys Cardiovascular Institute

Salary and benefits 

Annual salary

Scripps Clinic/Green Hospital fellowship pay and benefits:


PGY IV year - $88,544

PGY V year - $92,544

PGY VI year - $96,620

PGY VII year - $100,661


Salary scale 2024-2025 (PDF, 130 KB)

Insurance, leave and other benefits

Insurance

  • Health and dental insurance plans are available for fellows and their dependents for a minimal cost. Fellows may participate in the Scripps Wellness program to reduce their health care premiums. Confidential counseling and psychological support services are available on request.
  • Life insurance coverage, up to $1,000,000, is available for fellows and their dependents.
  • Long-term disability insurance, at Scripps rates, is available for purchase. State Disability Insurance is paid by the fellow. The State of California requires this contribution.
  • Fellows are covered by malpractice insurance while performing services within the scope of their training at Scripps Clinic. The liability limit is $5,000,000 per claim/$5,000,000 annually. Tail coverage is provided.


Vacations and leave

Fellows receive 20 vacation days annually. Six paid sick days are allotted annually. Parental and other leaves of absence follow Scripps policy and California State Law. Substantial absences may necessitate additional rotations to complete training.


Other benefits

  • Lab coats and scrubs are provided and laundered by Scripps
  • Paid parking in the adjacent gated and covered structure is provided at no cost
  • A full-service cafeteria is located in the hospital
  • Call rooms are provided
  • Scripps Health non-profit 501(c)(3) – Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs


Educational expenses

Scripps provides an educational expense allowance annually to each fellow for professional meetings and conferences, books and journals, professional dues and other educational expenses.

How to apply

Apply for a Scripps Clinic/Scripps Green Hospital fellowship program.

Apply to the interventional and structural fellowship 

Applicants interested in applying to the Interventional and Structural Cardiology Fellowship should apply using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Starting in July 2024, we will be participating in the NRMP match system. Please note that all interviews will be conducted virtually per AAMC recommendations.

Who can apply

  • Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, an ACGME-accredited residency program.
  • All licenses, ECFMG certification, and professional certifications are the applicant’s responsibility.
  • Scripps Clinic does not operate its own J-1 or H-1 visa program.
  • MUST have a current California Physician and Surgeon (medical) License and DEA certificate by start date. Please see Medical Board of California (MBC) requirements for licensure.

Contact us

Contact Christine Turner at turner.christine@scrippshealth.org or 858-824-5234 to learn more about the cardiovascular medicine fellowship programs at Scripps Clinic.