Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

A warm welcome to the future generation of cardiologists. We are thrilled at the privilege of being a crucial part of your continued journey to shape your career interests in cardiovascular medicine with our three-year ACGME accredited fellowship.

The Center for Cardiovascular Health (CCH) at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) includes over 150 providers encompassing all aspects of cardiovascular care (cardiology and all its subspecialties, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery and cardiac anesthesia). As an integrated service line, our team works across a large footprint in the Pacific Northwest to serve our communities with the highest quality. We deliver care across 11 hospitals, including 3 tertiary care hospitals that offer the full spectrum of cardiovascular care. We have some of the highest volumes in cardiovascular care in the region. Our mature programs offer the full spectrum of care. Our surgical programs rank among the best in the nation (3 Star STS designation perennially). Recently, we initiated a system wide extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program and are in the process of introducing left ventricular assist device therapy.

We are known for our expertise in several areas, including complex structural heart disease and interventions, surgical treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, complex ablation and left atrial appendage closure programs, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation clinics. We are leading experts in conduction system pacing.

We have an active research program, partnering with our world-famous Benaroya-Research Institute. We have several active clinical trials, including NIH-sponsored trials in the cardiovascular space.

Finally, we take pride in active and continuous learning, and teaching others across the globe on how to deliver health care in an efficient and economical manner using the Virginia Mason Production System model at the Virginia Mason Institute.

As the PNW division of CommonSpirit Health, we belong to the nation’s largest non-profit health care system. This allows us to influence health care both regionally and globally. We are part of our national Cardiovascular Service Line and partner with our other institutions, including Baylor-St. Lukes and Creighton University to develop enterprise-wide care protocols and Centers of Excellence programs.

In summary, the CCH at VMFH has created a welcoming environment for our providers and caregivers that allows them to develop into well-rounded individuals and help care for our communities. We welcome you to experience that journey with us.

Gopi Dandamudi, MD, MBA
Executive Medical Director
Center for Cardiovascular Health,
Program Director, CVD Fellowship
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Marie Killmer
Fellowship Program Administrative Assistant
Office: 253-426-6840
Email: [email protected]    

The Virginia Mason Franciscan Health – St. Joseph Medical Center Cardiovascular Disease Program will provide fellows with comprehensive, advanced training in the care of cardiovascular patients. The program is dedicated to training a diverse cast of physicians who will develop the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality and patient-centered cardiovascular care in a learning environment that fosters inclusiveness, life-long learning, and professional interactions with patients and staff. Likewise, fellows will be trained by highly qualified and experienced cardiology faculty members that will provide the fellows with the appropriate supervision and feedback to improve their skills. During training, fellows will diagnose, manage, and treat a wide array of patients and cardiovascular conditions; learn the importance of quality improvement and patient safety in the field of cardiology; and participate in various scholarly activity projects under the mentorship of dedicated program faculty members. Fellows will graduate from the program as the next generation of cardiologists, with proficient knowledge in the various subspecialties of cardiovascular medicine, including electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, cardiac surgery, advanced heart failure and vascular medicine. The program’s mission complements Virginia Mason Franciscan Health’s mission as the Sponsoring Institution.

In alignment with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the aims of the St. Joseph Medical Center Cardiovascular Disease Program include:

1. Develop a highly competent future generation of cardiologists with a strong work ethic and professional demeanor who are committed to bettering the health of the communities they serve.
2. Train fellows to diagnose and manage a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions (including those of the subspecialties of cardiovascular medicine), across a diverse patient population.
3. Instill in fellows the importance of life-long learning through didactics, conferences, journal clubs, research, and scholarly activity projects.
4. Recruit fellows to the program that bring diverse perspectives, opinions, and experiences to provide a well-rounded learning experience in collaboration with both the house-staff and faculty.