Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

The Cardiology Division has offered a two-year Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (CCEP) fellowship program since 2009. The ACGME will require all CCEP programs to be two years in duration as of 2017. The Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology program at the University of Minnesota is ACGME-accredited. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in private practice and, as of 2016, over 50% of our graduates in the past 10 years have academic appointments throughout the United States and the world.

CLINICAL PROGRAM
Fellows split their time between the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview and the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis. Together, these two sites perform over 600 implantable devices per year, including defibrillators, resynchronization devices, and pacemakers (transvenous, leadless, and His bundle pacing). The University and the VA are both referral centers for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia ablations, and together perform over 500 ablations per year. Second year fellows can also be trained in lead extraction at the University and at an affiliated site.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
We have an active research program with emphasis in the areas of syncope LV-based pacing systems, population genetics of atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure patients.  Basic science research has concentrated on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and biomedical engineering.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Our weekly EP conferences form the core of the educational experience outside of the EP laboratory.  These include discussing of clinical cases, literature review, and research findings.  In addition, a didactic series of basic lectures are given each year.  Fellows also assist in an annual CME course for primary-care physicians and participate in teaching cardiovascular fellows and residents.  We maintain an excellent list of guest speakers who visit our EP program each year.

Application Process
Applications for the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship beginning on July 1, 2021, will utilize ERAS.

Our program requires all of the following support documents:

  • A curriculum vitae
  • A personal statement describing your research interests and experience, and your detailed career goals
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official college, graduate school, and medical school transcripts
  • An official record of USMLE board scores
  • A valid ECFMG certificate (if you graduated from medical school outside of the United States or Canada). Graduates who are not United States citizens or permanent residents must obtain a J-1 Visa from the Education
  • Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
  • Documentation of successful completion of an accredited 3-year cardiovascular fellowship training program

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the fellowship coordinators at cvfellow@umn.edu

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Faculty

Selcuk Adabag, MD, MS, Dr. Adabag completed medical school and a residency in cardiology and internal medicine at Hacettepe University Medical School in Ankara, Turkey. Shortly thereafter, he began an Internal Medicine Residency program at State University of New York in Buffalo, New York. He completed his fellowships in Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of Minnesota.

Wayne Adkisson, MD, received his EP training at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1997. After being in private practice, he returned to join the faculty in 2007.

David G. Benditt, MD, received his EP training at Duke University. A former president of NASPE, Dr. Benditt is a noted authority on sinus-node dysfunction, syncope, permanent pacing, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. 

Jane Chen, MD, FACC, FHRS, received her Electrophysiology training at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, and is currently the Director of the Cardiovascular and Electrophysiology Fellowship programs. 

Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS, Director of the Lillehei Heart InstituteI am a practicing cardiac electrophysiologist who complements my clinical expertise with research on the epidemiology of heart rhythm disorders. My research is focused on elucidating the determinants and health impact of heart rhythm disorders, particularly atrial fibrillation. 

Henri Roukoz, MD, received his EP and CVD training at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2013. He joined the faculty in September 2013.

Venkat Tholakanahalli, MD, is a member of the faculty at the Minneapolis Veteran Administration Health Care System. He completed his cardiology and electrophysiology training at the University of Minnesota. His clinical and research is interests include managing congestive heart and complex ablation. 

CURRENT FELLOWS

Joe


Joe Decker, MD

Medical School: University of Minnesota  
Residency: University of Minnesota

 


Faris Haddadin, MD

Med School:  
Residency:

 

Fellow Prisco A.


Anthony Prisco, MD

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin 
Residency: University of Minnesota Medical School