Education & Training for Professionals

Pediatric cardiology and congenital heart surgery fellowship training programs

As a leader in pediatric cardiology treatment and research, Texas Children’s Heart Center trains physicians who will become leaders in the field worldwide. In collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Heart Center offers both pediatric cardiology fellowships and pediatric congenital heart surgery fellowships. Because Texas Children’s Heart Center is one of the largest pediatric heart centers in the world, cardiology and congenital heart surgery fellows can train with experts who practice the entire spectrum of care for patients with cogenital heart problems—from pacemaker implantation, neonatal heart surgery, and mechanical assistance for the failing heart, to intensive care, diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization and otupatient wellness services.

Preparing cardiologists to practice worldwide

Since the first cardiology fellowship in 1955, hundreds of fellows from around the glove have gained pediatric cardiology experience through the Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Training.  Annually, the new fellows class of about 20 physicians represents countries such as Great Britain, Canada, Egypt, Ireland, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. 

Cardiology fellows enter the training program as some of the nation’s most noted pediatricians.  Many, having finished at the top of their classes in medical school three to 10 years earlier, come to Texas Children’s training program to further their expertise.  The program is one of the most competitive in the country.  More than 30 chiefs of pediatric cardiology have trained in the fellowship program and many of the world’s most renowned leaders in pediatric cardiology were fellows in the Texas Children’s Heart Center.

Developing future generations of surgeons

The Texas Children’s Heart Center offers 1 of only 11 ACGME approved congenital heart surgery fellowships in the United States.  Cardiothoracic surgeons participating in the fellowship will benefit from the additional, concentrated training in this diffult field.  High patient volumes in Texas Children’s Heart Center ensure that the congenital heart surgery fellow gains experience in a variety of congenital heart surgery procedures, including corrections in neonates, mechanical assist devices, adult congenital heart patients, and transplantation.  The fellows use their gained knowledge to improve pediatric heart surgery outcomes all over the world.

The congenital heart surgery fellowship is sponsored in part by the Emmett Augustus Jones Foundation.  The mission of the Emmett Augustus Jones Foundation, founded by Mary and Hank Jones and named after their son Emmett, is to advance the field of pediatric congenitcal care through research, education, and family assistance.  In keeping with the mission of the foundation, fellowships are awarded to physicians from anywhere in the world who show a dedication to the field of pediatric cardiovascular surgery.