SCAI Town Hall for Program Directors: Fellows Recruitment-SCAI Town Hall for Program Directors: Fellows Recruitment

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The town hall introduced the re-established Program Directors Committee and its goals: to support interventional fellowship program directors, improve training resources, identify challenges, and build a national community. Leaders reviewed the third match cycle timeline and key dates, emphasizing October 28 as the deadline to change or withdraw spots, November 18 for rank list closure, and December 2 for match results.<br /><br />A major initiative discussed was creating a national interventional program database to improve transparency and help applicants compare programs fairly. The database would include information such as location, program size, fellowship volume, case mix, structural and peripheral exposure, PE/PERT programs, call structure, research expectations, visa sponsorship, cost of living, and career outcomes. The group stressed that the database would complement, not replace, individual program websites and would include both match and non-match programs.<br /><br />The second half focused on practical advice for running a fair, effective match process. Speakers recommended standardized interviews, equal time and interviewer structure, clear and professional follow-up communication, merit-based ranking, and avoiding pressure on applicants to reveal rankings. They also encouraged transparency about program strengths and weaknesses, use of fellow-only breakout sessions, and respectful handling of internal applicants. If a program goes unmatched, directors should quickly contact unmatched applicants, gather anonymous feedback, and reassess program size or features that may deter candidates.

Asset Subtitle

J. Dawn Abbott, MD, MSCAI; Amir Darki, MD, FSCAI; Naseer Khan, MD, FSCAI; Jennifer A. Rymer, MD, MBA; Tara L. Jones, MD, FSCAI

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closed captions are computer-generated

Keywords

Program Directors Committee

interventional fellowship

match cycle timeline

national program database

program transparency

standardized interviews

merit-based ranking

unmatched applicants