Aug 11, 2015 | Franklyn Agustin Colon Arias, MD
International

While I am originally from the Dominican Republic, I am completing my cardiology training at the National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chavez in Mexico City. I have been a member of the ACC Mexican chapter since January 2015 as an international FIT. It has been an amazing experience as a cardiology resident, and I have been given the opportunity to meet distinguished professors, publish several papers and attend great ACC events, like the 64th Annual Scientific Session (ACC.15).

Belonging to ACC’s Mexico Chapter as an FIT has proved beneficial to the formation of my career. Some of these benefits include the free online subscription to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, complete access to ACC.org, exclusive discounts to ACC’s live events, the opportunity to collaborate with the International FIT work group, and the opportunity to meet ACC members from around the world.

As a member of the ACC Mexico Chapter, I have been able to take part in the Chapter’s FIT program, which provides a more enriching curriculum to the future cardiologist.

In 2012 the Chapter offered the ‘Image of Intervention’, which was held at the National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chavez, one of the cardiology institutes with the most cardiomyopathy patient referrals not only in Mexico but in Latin America. Many distinguished faculty of the ACC attended, including ACC Past Presidents William Zoghbi, MD, MACC, John Harold, MD, MACC, and Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC, a member of ACC’s Board of Trustees, among others. In 2013, the ACC Mexico Chapter Congress was held, which was attended by international professors and associate professors of Cardiology from more than 21 different hospitals. Over 40 prominent residents from these centers also attended, along with several international fellows in training The Congress included discussions on interesting clinical cases, promotion of scientific collaboration and the establishment of bonds between different cardiology institutions, both nationally and internationally. Many other courses have been conducted to help enhance the formation of the future leaders of cardiology.

I believe that being an International FIT is a tool that helps you become a better cardiologist in the future. It’s an experience that leads to being a world leader in cardiovascular medicine. I encourage all cardiology residents to become FIT members, as membership will provide you with more training and benefits during your residency program. It strengthens you as a leader and as a future cardiologist, and provides the opportunity to interact with great cardiovascular clinicians.

This post was authored by Franklyn Agustin Colon Arias, MD, an international fellow in training (FIT) at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez in México City.