UCF School of Medicine and HCA Florida Healthcare recently announced their first partnership in cardiovascular disease fellowships. The ACGME-accredited program will be located at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and is recruiting applicants for the first cohort to begin training in July 2025.
The new program makes the UCF-HCA Florida Medical Graduate Medical Education Consortium one of the fastest growing consortiums in Florida, with 40 residency programs and fellowships in the state.
“The addition of the Cardiology Graduate Medical Education Program at HCA expands the partnership between the UCF School of Medicine and the HCA Florida Healthcare Graduate Medical Education Consortium to prepare the next generation of physicians in a variety of much-needed specialties. We will continue to support this,” Alan said. Mr. Keesee is the CEO of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “The cardiologists of the future will train here in Marion County and study at one of the nation's top 50 cardiovascular hospitals. We have extensive clinical experience and academic support, including research and curriculum development. Through our services, we want to inspire our residents' passion for caring and improving human lives.”
The need for cardiovascular specialists is increasing in Florida and across the nation. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and Florida's aging population makes the need for specialized cardiologists critical. The new UCF-HCA Florida Healthcare Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship aims to address this need by preparing fellows to serve their communities after graduation.
“We are excited about this fellowship, which will train physicians in the important area of cardiovascular disease while helping address the state's health care needs,” said Dr. said Stephen Sico, a designated agency official.
The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship is a three-year program designed to train physicians in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular disease. The program accepts three fellows per year for a total of nine certified positions. Applicants must complete training in internal medicine before beginning the fellowship. Applications must be submitted through ERAS (NRMP program code 1587141F0).
Rakesh Prashad will lead the program at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. He is a professor in the UCF School of Medicine and is board certified in cardiology, interventional cardiac medicine, endovascular medicine, nuclear cardiology, and internal medicine. Mr. Prashad is also actively involved in clinical research.
“We are working to develop the next generation of cardiologists who will lead the way in improving cardiovascular health,” Prashad said. “Our team of conference-certified faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse patient population ensure a comprehensive and rewarding educational experience for all fellows.”
