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FAQ

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Will I receive excellent clinical training at the University of Iowa?

YES!  While we have traditionally been known as a research institution, we are a full service clinical division of Pediatric Cardiology.  We have busy catheterization and electrophysiology, transplant, and echocardiography services.  We are utilizing cutting edge techniques and technology including percutaneous placement of pulmonary valves, advanced arrhythmia mapping and ablation techniques, 3D echocardiography, Advanced CT and MRI techniques and ventricular assist devices.

Do you have a congenital cardiac surgical team?

YES!  Dr. Marco Ricci, Dr. Mohsen Karimi and Dr. Yuki Nakamura are trained in congenital heart surgery and perform all of the pediatric and adult congenital cardiac procedures at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. This program also runs the ECMO and the Ventricular assist device program. They collaborate with the interventional cardiologists in hybrid procedures and adult cardiac surgeons for collaborative care of the ACHD population.

How will I identify a research mentor and project?

During the first research elective, fellows are encouraged to meet with several clinical and basic science investigators who have ongoing projects that match their own interests. Should a fellow enter the program with a strong background in research or an identified project, a mentor with similar interests will be identified. A strong mentor-fellow relationship is imperative to success in research!

Will I have protected time to perform a research project and meet board eligibility requirements?

Research blocks are protected time! There are no clinical call duties during the week. It is requested that fellows attend their weekly outpatient clinic and educational conferences. All other activities should be dedicated to research.

What is the call schedule?

Weekday “after hours” call is covered by the fellow assigned to clinical service a few nights of the week. Cross coverage relief is typically performed by a co-fellow. Research and echo months are typically call free during the week. Weekend call is split evenly amongst the fellows.

Where is Iowa City?

Iowa City is 220 miles directly west of Chicago on Interstate 80. It's also within a 4-5 hour drive to Milwaukee, Madison, Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City and St. Louis. It has the cultural, educational, social and political opportunities of a bigger city with the values and ambiance of a midwestern town. Its clean, safe, nothing is farther than a 15 minute car ride, it has a great city bus system (with bike racks!), wonderful parks, sports, schools and even sailing. Those who have lived here and left, frequently return because what they were looking for was in their own back yard. How ethnically diverse are the patients?

How ethnically diverse are the patients?

Like a lot of university towns, we have a large international community. Growing cultural diversity is another reason Iowa City is an interesting place to live. Diversity is embraced and celebrated with city and university events, festivals, clubs and programs. The University works hard to recruit and retain minorities with its affirmative action policies. About 13% of Iowa Citians are non-white as similar amount of the patients represent the clinic mix.

What’s the weather like in Iowa City?

Iowa City gets to experience the full spectrum of the four seasons and has something to offer almost anyone. Our temperate climate gives us an early Spring and a long Fall with many enjoyable months to be outside. We also get plenty of hot summer days for swimming and even a few weeks every winter with snow. We have a lot of sunny days - on average 199 per year. Our average snowfall is 27", average rainfall is 37", average high temperature in July is 85°F and in January is 30°F.

What is there to do in Iowa City when you're not working?

There are 15 different festivals and art fairs, plus concerts and race events. There are many music venues, sports events and neighborhood street fairs and garden walks. We also have a really big mall and several smaller ones, 41 parks, 9 golf courses, 6 public tennis courts, 6 public pools, some lakes and a reservoir with trails, camping & boating. There are bike trails, some famous bookstores, a ton of galleries and excellent museums. There are half a dozen or more performing arts venues including Hancher Auditorium. There's always something going on. Find more information from the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

What's Iowa City like for kids and families?

Iowa city has 50 public parks, miniature golf, a great public library, a toy library, ice skating, bowling, organized sports, fun centers, swimming pools and 3 beaches, 9 museums including a children's museum, dance companies and public recreation centers that feature many activities for kids and families at little or no cost. We also have 20 movie screens and 50-licensed daycare providers. The Iowa City schools are perennially ranked among the top schools in the nation. Iowa City is unique in the facilities and services available for individuals with disabilities. Many families who have a family member with a disability are reluctant to leave Iowa City because they cannot duplicate those services in another location.

Are there any job opportunities for my spouse/significant other?

Yes, in March 2020, Iowa City had an average of 2.7% unemployment. Also check out The University of Iowa's Dual Career Network.