Rotations and Curriculum

Facilities

Residents have 24/7 access to a simulation lab equipped with a high-fidelity patient simulator. All residents complete a simulation bootcamp during orientation, with additional sessions scheduled throughout the year. Sessions cover ACLS, BLS, central line placement, point of care ultrasound, and lumbar puncture. 

Block Schedule

The academic year is divided into 13 four-week blocks. Residents complete 2 blocks of continuity clinic in PGY-1 and 2.5 blocks in each of PGY-2 and PGY-3. Residents are relieved of all inpatient responsibilities during clinic time so that the outpatient experience is protected. 

PGY-1 (Categorical)

*Categorical residents complete Emergency Medicine in PGY-2.

PGY-1 (Preliminary)

PGY-2

PGY-3

Core Rotations

General Medicine Floor

The core inpatient rotation at every level of training. Residents care for non-critically ill hospitalized patients across the full range of medical pathology and age groups, assuming progressively greater responsibility each year. Daily interaction with general internists and subspecialists anchors the teaching.

Medical Intensive Care Unit

Residents learn to manage the critically ill medical patient and to counsel patients and families on medical and ethical decisions. Emphasis is placed on ventilator management, sepsis, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, hemorrhage, oncologic emergencies, and central nervous system pathology.

Night Float

The night float resident cross-covers all general medicine ward teams overnight and admits new patients to the wards.

ICU Night Float

The ICU night float resident provides overnight cross-coverage for the medical ICU and handles all new ICU admissions.

Emergency Medicine

Residents develop an approach to common medical emergencies, with emphasis on rapid evaluation and formulation of a treatment and disposition plan.

Geriatrics

Residents develop an understanding of the medical concerns and geriatric syndromes specific to older adults and how their care differs from that of younger patients.

Continuity Clinic

Continuity clinic is scheduled in week-long stretches. Residents spend half of each day seeing their own patient panel in clinic, and the remaining half days are dedicated to education: a simulation lab session, a point of care ultrasound session, and dedicated didactics on Wednesday.

Primary Care Outpatient Rotation

A full-day outpatient experience in a private practice office during the second and third years, separate from the program’s continuity clinic. Residents take primary responsibility for patient care, perform outpatient and inpatient preoperative evaluations and medical consultations, and gain exposure to the business and management side of practice.

Electives

Cardiology

Residents gain a working understanding of consultative cardiology, common management problems, the techniques used in cardiac evaluation, and interpretation of clinical and laboratory findings.

Endocrinology

Residents learn the initial diagnosis and management of endocrine disease, including diabetes mellitus and disorders of the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands.

Gastroenterology

Residents evaluate and manage common GI disorders, including GI bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, cirrhosis and chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, GI malignancy, biliary disease, and functional bowel disorders. The rotation includes exposure to diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Hematology and Oncology

Residents participate in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of hematologic and oncologic disease, including the use of chemotherapeutic agents and management of their side effects.

Infectious Disease

Residents learn the pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment of common infectious syndromes, including HIV, meningitis, head and neck infections, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, intra-abdominal infections, genitourinary infections, bone and soft tissue infections, and fever in the neutropenic patient. Immunizations and appropriate use of the microbiology laboratory are also covered.

Nephrology

Residents evaluate and manage acute and chronic kidney disease of varied etiology in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Neurology

Residents develop proficiency in the neurological examination and in correlating symptoms with neuroimaging and neurophysiologic studies. Exposure includes stroke, neuromuscular disorders, and neuro-ophthalmologic problems, among other common and uncommon conditions.

Palliative Care

Residents learn to evaluate and counsel patients and families facing end-of-life decisions.

Point of Care Ultrasound

Residents develop hands-on skill in focused bedside ultrasound, including image acquisition and interpretation of cardiac, lung, abdominal, and vascular views. Emphasis is placed on integrating ultrasound findings into real-time clinical decision making and on ultrasound guidance for bedside procedures.

Pulmonary Medicine

Residents develop an understanding of acute and chronic lung disease, with focus on COPD, asthma, lung cancer, lower respiratory tract infections, and ARDS.

Radiology

Residents are introduced to the range of procedures performed in the Department of Radiology, with emphasis on selecting the appropriate imaging study for a given clinical question and interpreting plain radiographs. Basic principles of ultrasound, CT, and MRI are covered.

Rheumatology and Immunology

Residents build a foundation in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatologic disease, including monoarticular and polyarticular arthritis, connective tissue disease, osteoporosis, vasculitis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Didactic Curriculum

Research and Scholarly Activity

Residents are encouraged to present posters at regional and national conferences and receive guidance and resources for publishing case reports. Categorical residents complete a quality improvement project during training and are encouraged to present their findings at the hospital’s Quality and Patient Safety Conference. 

Publications and Presentations

Saad M, Abdullah M, Yelamarthy A, John K, Mallick AH, Khan Behram, Tahir H, Rajan K. Digoxin Revisited: An Updated Review in the Light of Recent Trials. Journal of Cardiology Research.

Saad M, El-Hangouche N, Guddeti R, Shahnavaz S, Garcia S. Percutaneous Closure of a Large, Complex Postinfarct Ventricular Septal Defect. Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Case Reports.

Saad M, Guddeti R, El-Hangouche N, Garcia S. Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in a Challenging Anatomy with Deeply Implanted Self-Expanding Valve and Severe Mitral Annular Calcification: Case Report. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Saad M, Jilani MH, Munawar M, Spadaccio C, Sukhija R, Arif I. A Case Series of Late Myocardial Infarction Following Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. Journal of Medical Cases.

Saad M, Mallick AH, Yelamarthy A, Khalid A, Abdullah M, Safdar A, Ajmal M. SGLT2 Inhibitors and Long-Term Outcomes in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of Cardiac Failure.

Saad M, Nazir A, Arif I. The STORM-PE Trial and the Evolving Role of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Intermediate-High Risk Pulmonary Embolism. International Journal of Surgery.

Saad M, Wong A, Hangouche NE, Puvi S, Garcia S. Successful Treatment of Recurrent Tricuspid Regurgitation After a Failed Surgical Annuloplasty Band Using a Novel Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) Device. Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Case Reports.

Saad M, Abdullah M. Trends in Aortic Valve Disease and Atrial Fibrillation Mortality in the United States, –: A CDC WONDER Joinpoint Analysis. Structural Heart.

Saad M, Abdullah M, Ajmal M. Trigger Free Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in an Elderly Patient: A Case Highlighting Diagnostic Uncertainty. Journal of Cardiac Failure.

Saad M, Jilani MH, Arif I. Primary Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Hemophilia B Patient Presenting with Cardiogenic Shock. Circulation.

Saad M, Safdar A, Abdullah M, Mallick AH. Role of Beta Blockers in Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Impact on Short and Long-Term Outcomes. CHEST.

Saad M, Yelamarthy A, Ajmal M, Naqvi I, Arif I. Electrocardiographic Phenotype and Use of Coronary Angiography in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Saad M, Yelamarthy A, Bisiso N, Hassan M. Race and Acute Heart Failure Outcomes in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. CHEST.

Abbas F, Saad M, Abdullah M, Safdar A, Raza J, Saleem MS, Akram F, Saleem M, Rana M, Izza N. Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Upgrade in Patients with Chronic Right Ventricular Pacing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Circulation.

Abdel Aziz K, Tejan Sie A, Sultan H, Sabbagh A, Warp D, Saad M, Pateqi N, Kumar A, David M, Hassan A, Kumar J, Arora A, Theile C, Kurian R, Slifer D, Tzoumas A, Ud Din T, Khokhlov L, Effat M, Laipply K. From Basement to Bacteremia: A Rare Cause of Septic Shock Due to Shewanella Algae Aortic Valve Endocarditis. Circulation.

Ghumman GM, Nazir A, Farooq AK, Saad M, Shubietah A, Yousaf A, Khan NA, Mazhar S, Zarifa M, Khan MT et al. Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Versus Coronary Angiography-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Guddeti R, Wong A, Almasri M, Schmidt C, Saad M, Seshiah P, El Hangouche, Bae R, Kereiakes D, Garcia S. Comparison of Transcatheter Valve Platforms in Patients With Small Aortic Annulus. Journal of Structural Heart.

Nazir A, Farooq AK, Saad M, Ghumman GM, Shubietah A, Khan B, Khan NA, Hayat S, Muhammad A, Khan MT, Ijaz A, Amin F, Kumar N, Abid A, Shahid A, Ali SS. Single vs. Double Perclose ProGlide™ Devices for Large-Bore Femoral Access Closure in TF-TAVR: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Nazir A, Farooq AK, Saad M, Ghumman GM, Shubietah A, Khan B, Khan NA, Duhan A, Hayat S, Ammer R, Siddiqui HT, Khan MT, Kasbati M, Rehman A, Ali SS. Comparison of Figure-of-Eight Suture Versus Perclose ProGlide Suture-Mediated Closure in Large-Bore Venous Access: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Wong A, Guddeti R, Saad M, Rohmiller G, Marathe D, El-Hangouche N, Garcia S. Transcatheter Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation Due to Surgical Ring Dehiscence: Combining Intravalvular and Paravalvular Approaches. Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Case Reports.

Ahmad E, Khan M, Ans M, Ain HU, Qaisar A, Ahmed S, Uwishema O, Hassan IN, Saad M, Mallick AH, Alraies MC. Trends and Disparities in Mortality due to Pulmonary Embolism Among Adults With Atrial Fibrillation From to: Insights From the CDC WONDER Database. Journal of Arrhythmia.

Bakht D, Arham M, Yousaf F, Amir M, Baloch MA, Munir T, Batool F, Gulzar E, Rashid Z, Bokhari SFH, Awais MN, Bakht K, Haris HM, Saleem F, Saad M. Role of Antazoline in Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicine.

Begum A, Modumudi S, Subramani S, Khoont D, Vanaparti A, Master M, Khan J, Botticelli AL, Boticelli RW, Mian HS, Saad M, Abbas K. Novel Putative Biomarkers for Infective Endocarditis by Serum Proteomic Analysis: A Comprehensive Review of Literature. Annals of Medicine and Surgery.

Imran W, Shahab SH, Rafique H, Ahmad S, Idrees SA, Baig M, Muzaffer R, Nazir A, Ahmad M, Kashan M, Naqvi I, Ghumman GM, Chaudhary AJ, Saad M, Khan N, Ali SS. A Nationwide Analysis of Mortality Trends Due to Hypertensive Heart Disease With Coexisting Behavioral and Mental Disorders (–). Annals of Medicine & Surgery.

Nazir A, Saad M, Naqvi I. The Lasting Burden of Gender Discrimination in Medicine: A Lifelong Multisystem Consequences of Rathke’s Pouch in Williams Syndrome. International Journal of Surgery.

Emara A, Ellebedy M, Aboeldahab H, Nazir A, Elgendy MS, Hassan AM, et al. Levosimendan vs. Milrinone in Cardiac Surgery: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Amir M, Hassan A, Ali EF, Noor M, Nazir A, Kamran M, et al. Incremental Benefits of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Structural Heart Disease Undergoing Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy for Ventricular Arrhythmias: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicine.

Nazir A, Khan NA, Naqvi I. Guideline Implications of REBOOT: Beta-Blockers Therapy in Post-MI Patients with Preserved LVEF. International Journal of Surgery.

Hussein A, Rajab I, Mabrouk M, Nazir A, Elgendy M, Altobaishat O, et al. Evaluating the Impact of Probiotics on Severe Clostridioides difficile Infection: Multicenter Retrospective Study. Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis.

Shahab SH, Jan S, Wasay A, Naqvi SM, Umar M, Ahmed M, et al. Mortality Trends Involving Fatal Arrhythmias and Anemia in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis of 25 Years. Medicine.

Shubietah A, Emara A, Elgendy MS, Awashra A, Munshi H, Nazir A. Protective Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Post-TAVR Conduction and Arrhythmic Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Awashra A, Zahran A, AbuBaha M, Nazir A, Mutar MT, Emara A, et al. Pulmonary Embolism Mortality in the United States: A Nationwide Analysis. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis.

Shubietah A, Elgendy MS, Murad MR, Nada EA, Elewidi M, Awashra A, et al. Higher Fixed vs. Escalating Cardioversion for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A GRADE-Assessed Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials With Trial Sequential Analysis. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Khan NA, Meunier E, Nazir A, Kereiakes DJ. Perfect Matchmaking: A Deep Dive Into the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Match. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Nazir A, Farooq AK, Khan MT, Amin F, Usman M, Abid A, et al. Acute versus Subacute Pre-emptive Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Nazir A, Farooq AK, Usman M, Imtaz E, Kumari P, Kumari P, et al. Local or Monitored Anesthesia versus General Anesthesia Care in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Focused Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Nazir A, Farooq AK, Amin F, Ehtsham A, Tufail U, Talha M, et al. Analgesic Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Nazir A, Farooq AK, Muhammad A, Hayat S, Ghuman SI, Khan MT, et al. Triglyceride-Glucose Index as a Marker for Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Shubietah A, Bdair M, Zahran A, AbuBaha M, Tobeh M, Nazir A, et al. Temporal Trends and Disparities in Acute Ischemic Event Mortality Among US Adults With Coexisting Atherosclerotic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: A National Analysis. Journal of Investigative Medicine.

Emara A, Awashra A, Elgendy MS, Murad MR, Emara M, Nazir A, et al. Prophylactic Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion During Mitral Valve Repair in Patients Without Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Time to Event Data. Journal of Arrhythmia.

Nazir A, Sarwar AH, Nazar R, Shahab SH, Manan S, Rafique H, et al. Genotype–Phenotype Discordance in Cardiomyopathies: Pathophysiology, Clinical Expression, and Therapeutic Considerations. Health Science Reports.

Khan NA, Saqib NU, Meunier E, Kereiakes DJ, Alalawi L, Hajouli S, et al. Matched and Measured: An In-depth Look at the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Match—Fellows’ Perspective. Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Shahab SH, Mustafa FE, Masood HG, Ahmed S, Ali F, Sajid Y, et al. Prostate Cancer and Diabetes: A Retrospective Analysis of Mortality Trends in the United States (–). Medicine.

Abbas SM, Aziz U, Ibrahim HY, Majid M, Azhar S, Munawar B, et al. Mortality Trends Involving Hyperlipidemia and Hypertension in US Adults, –: A CDC WONDER Multiple-Cause-of-Death Analysis. Journal not specified.

Hasan AH, Abid MA, Abid MH, Suhail L, Nazir A. A New Hope for the Patients of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: FDA Gives Green Signal for Resmetirom Use. Health Science Reports.

Shahzad M, Ahsan M, Shaikh RH, Shahabi M, Nazir A, Le N, et al. Shifting Trends in Coronary Artery Disease and Cancer-Related Mortality in the United States: Insights From a CDC WONDER Database Analysis (–). Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Saad Umar M, Munir A, Rizwan M, Naveed S. Career Counseling in Pakistan—Need of the Hour. Journal of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine.

Zafar F, Nawaz I, Fazal MI, Manan MR, Hamza A, Saad M, Shehzad AH. Gender, Racial, and Geographic Disparities in Incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in the United States From to. Gastroenterology.

Zafar F, Khalid M, et al. Long-Term Trends and Demographic Disparities in Renal Cell Carcinoma Mortality in the United States, –. Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Fazal MI, Nawaz I, Abid I, Zafar F, Manan MR, Noor N. Caroli Disease Presenting With Retroperitoneal Abscess and Fecal Fistula: Expanding the Spectrum of Extrahepatic Complications. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Rasheed W, Dharmarpandi G, Fazal MI, Han S. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Are Associated With an Increased Long-Term Risk of Biliary Pancreatitis. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Ahmad B, Shaikh F, Aamir S, Rizwan M, Khowaja ZA, Shahbaz AK, et al. Mortality Trends Due to Mesenteric Ischemia and Cardiovascular Diseases in Older Adults Aged >65 Years: A CDC WONDER-Based Study From to. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Zafar F, Najafi SMA, Nawaz I, Malik MHBA, Manan MR, Fazal MI, Imran A, Ibtisam M, Baqar SS, Abbas H, Ali MF. Trends and Disparities in COPD-Related Mortality With Coexisting Heart Failure Among the Geriatric Population in the US: A 21-Year Retrospective Analysis. CHEST.

Zafar F, Najafi SMA, Malik MHBA, Manan MR, Nawaz I, Iqbal S, Baqar S, Abbas H, Ali MF, Fazal MI. Rising Cerebrovascular Disease Mortality in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Across the US: A Retrospective Analysis (–). CHEST.

Zafar F, Manan H, Manan MR, Nawaz I, Fazal MI, Usman O, Zain A, Najafi SMA, Safdar MA. Demographic Disparities in Liver Disease Mortality Trends in US Women: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis of ALD and NAFLD. American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Zafar F, Manan H, Nawaz I, Manan MR, Zain A, Najafi SMA, Safdar MA, Fazal MI, Sheikh S. The Rural-Urban Gap in Colorectal Cancer Mortality in the United States: A 22-Year Analysis of National Trends and Disparities. American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Syed AR, Fazal MI, Hasan SH, Lodh A, Zandvakili I. Accuracy of Large Language Models in Responding to ACG Clinical Guideline Scenarios: A Multi-Model Comparative Study. American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Fatima K, Fazal MI, Ali W, Usman O, Ali S, Ali F, Nawaz I, Safdar MA, Zain A. Mortality Trends in Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome and Biliary Sequelae in the United States: A CDC WONDER Database Analysis (–). American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Fatima K, Fazal MI, Ali W, Ali S, Ali F, Zain A, Zafar F, Nawaz I, Usman O. Temporal Trends in Early-Onset Colorectal, Gastric, and Pancreatic Cancers Among Populations Under 45 Years of Age: A CDC WONDER Database Analysis (–). American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Zafar F, Daim SR, Fazal MI, Zain A, Ijaz H, Safdar MA, Ali A, Khalid M. Temporal Racial Disparities in Pancreatic Cancer Mortality Across Rural and Urban Populations in the United States, –. American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Zafar F, Fazal MI, Zain A, Ali A, Nawaz I. Temporal Trends and Demographic Disparities in Esophageal Cancer Mortality Among Individuals With Tobacco Use Disorder in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis, –. American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Saad M, Abdullah M. Trends in Aortic Valve Disease and Atrial Fibrillation Mortality in the United States, –: A CDC WONDER Joinpoint Analysis. Oral presentation: New York Valves.

Saad M, Guddeti R, El-Hangouche N, Garcia S. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Complex Mitral Valve Anatomy. Oral presentation: Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Annual Conference.

Saad M, Guddeti R, El-Hangouche N, Shahnavaz S, Garcia S. Percutaneous Closure of a Complex Post-Infarct VSD via Transseptal Access After Recent TAVR. Oral presentation: Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Annual Conference.

Leone PP, Sturla M, Stolz L, Ascione G, Sisinni A, Biroli M, Calamita G, Asselin C, Saad M, Horita R, Kay R, Morales JE, Rojas J, Mariani A, Gitto M, Maurina M, Guicciardi NA, Taramasso M, Coisne A, Oreglia J, Mangieri A, Mieghem NV, et al. Real-World Evaluation of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair with MitraClip vs. PASCAL in Mitral Regurgitation. Oral presentation: New York Valves.

Yelamarthy A, Saad M, Walder E. Diffuse Coronary Vasospasm as an Atypical Manifestation of 5-Fluorouracil Toxicity. Oral presentation: Mercy Health Cincinnati Region Scholars’ Day. Cincinnati, OH.