Advocate Christ Medical Center Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship Program
History
The Advanced Heart and Transplant Fellowship program was transferred to Advocate Health Care from the University of Illinois at Chicago in July 2024. Fellows trained at Advocate Christ Medical Center previously with UIC as the sponsoring institution, and the only change was the transfer of the program to Advocate Christ Medical Center. Dr. Gregory Macaluso continues his role as the Program Director. The program and the Christ faculty remain the same.
About the Program
The mission of the Advocate Health Care/Advocate Christ Medical Center Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship program is to share the experiences and practices of our award-winning programs and management styles with trainees and to help foster their growth into the next generation leaders in the field.
We strive to provide an outstanding educational opportunity for general cardiology fellows who are interesting in a career in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology. We remain among the most robust programs nationally who perform ventricular assist device and transplant surgery. We continue to offer cutting edge technology and treatment approaches while utilizing a multidisciplinary disease management strategy. Our program strives to meet our patients medical and non-medical needs, employing a team of nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, social workers and physicians trained in the management of heart failure.
A comprehensive inpatient program allows trainees to witness patients receiving the highest quality, most cost-efficient care. Highlights of the inpatient program include the following:
- Multidisciplinary approach led by a Heart Failure nurse practitioner in collaboration with Heart Failure physicians
- Optimization of guideline recommended medical management
- Access to advanced treatment options
- Intensive patient education with special emphasis on adherence and self-care management
- Assure early follow-up after discharge through clinic, home-based visits and telephone support
- Psychosocial support to patients and family and/or caregiver
- Management of cardiogenic shock, ECMO and various cardiac support devices
- Management of transplant patients
- Management of patients with mechanical circulatory support
In addition to applying the most advanced technology and treatment to patients care, we pursue an active research program in both clinical and translational sciences.
Program Administrators
Dr. Gregory Macaluso, Program Director
Faculty
Muhyaldeen Dia, MD
Vinh Chau, MD
William Cotts, MD
Mark Dela Cruz, MD
Anjali Joshi, MD
Mohammad Kabbany, MD
James Monaco, MD
Nikhal Narang, MD
Sunil Pauwaa, MD
Jessica Pillarella, MD
Christopher Sciamanna, DO
Application Process
Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship Training Program will be accepted via ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service).
Required documents of the ERAS file include:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal statement
- Medical school transcripts
- USMLE, COMLEX or equivalent examination results with dates
- Three (3) letters of recommendation (including your most recent Residency/Fellowship Program Director) and a minimum of two (2) additional letters from faculty members directly familiar with your recent experience.
- Recent photo
Requirement: Completion of a General Cardiology Fellowship Program
Application Review and Interviews
The Program Director will review submitted applications. Candidates selected to interview will be contacted and receive invitations to schedule an interview. Applicants will be interviewed by the Program Director
Interview Months: September - October
Visa Sponsorship: J-1 Visa only
NRMP Program Code: 2117159S0
ACGME Program Code: 1591614048
For additional information regarding salary and benefits, please contact Ruth Mrochen, Program Specialist, at Ruth.Mrochen@aah.org or at (708) 684-5405