Aortic Root And Valve Repair Fellowship

Summary

• Grant: €6,200
• Location: A high-volume centre in either Paris, Rome and Madrid or Brussels, Homburg and Madrid
• Duration: Three one-week internships and attendance at two specialist EACTS courses.

Introduction

The Aortic Root and Valve Repair Fellowship provides an opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in the surgical management of patients with aortic root dilatation and aortic regurgitation, with special interest in the sparing of the aortic valve.

Fellowship overview

The Aortic Root and Valve Repair Fellowship includes attendance at two specialist EACTS courses – ‘Introduction to Aortic Surgery’, and the ‘Aortic Forum’. Fellows will also get to complete three one-week internships in a high-volume centre in either Paris, Rome and Madrid or Brussels, Homburg and Madrid.

Throughout your fellowship, you will also receive one-to-one support from a EACTS Education Project Coordinator to ensure you get the most out of this opportunity.

Funding

The Fellowship includes a generous financial contribution of €6,200 towards living and travel costs. EACTS will also provide a bursary towards the cost of your attendance at the 2024 EACTS Annual Meeting.

What past fellows say about the Aortic Root and Valve Repair Fellowship

Valeria Iturriaga, Cardiac surgeon, Hospital de Especialidades Pediatrico León, Mexico

 “The Aortic Root and Valve Repair Fellowship provided an invaluable opportunity to visit different hospitals and learn more about the different techniques that are used by fantastic surgeons who are experts in aortic valve repair. To talk with these surgeons and get their advice is hugely beneficial.”

Application and Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

In order to apply for this fellowship, you must:

• Be an EACTS member with up-to-date membership payment
• Be a Resident, Fellow or Surgeon within the first four years after training (specialty degree)
• Be fluent in English

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience in valve-sparing aortic root replacement
• Possibility of applying the knowledge and abilities acquired during the Fellowship in their own practice
• Academic experience in Aortic Root and Valve Repair surgery

The following documents must be provided as part of your application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of interest detailing the way in which you meet the above application criteria, along with your career aspirations, as well as how you believe the Fellowship will impact your career.
• Letter of support from head of training/department
• Operative experience

Application guidance

Please ensure that all documents submitted are written in English, and that they are submitted either as word documents or PDF. We do not accept images or handwritten applications. We are unable to provide advice or guidance about visa applications, so please ensure that you understand the visa requirements before applying for this Fellowship.

Evaluation and feedback

There will be periodic meetings with the Fellowship Director to ensure feedback from the trainee. A structured evaluation of the activities and feedback from the Fellow will also be developed. Fellows will produce a full report on their experience based on guidelines stipulated by the Francis Fontan Fund Committee at the end of the Fellowship.