SCAI Initiates Ready to Launch—Careers in Cardiology Program at Annual Meeting

May 10, 2023—The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) announced a newly piloted program, Ready to Launch—Careers in Cardiology, that seeks to increase access and encourage interest in interventional cardiology early in students’ medical careers. SCAI hopes to host the program annually in each host city of the SCAI Scientific Sessions.

This year’s program will host a diverse group of medical students from various colleges and universities in the Phoenix, Arizona area and will be held in conjunction with the SCAI 2023 Scientific Sessions, which takes place May 18-20 at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Participating institutions include the University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix; Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine; and Creighton University School of Medicine—Phoenix.

According to SCAI, the Ready to Launch—Careers in Cardiology program is designed to introduce future physicians to the field of interventional cardiology through a half-day program where attendees will get the opportunity to have impactful conversations with nationally recognized interventional cardiologists to learn about training paths, barriers to care and solutions for the future, and the importance of health equity. Hands-on demonstrations will showcase the latest interventional therapies and technologies from leading industry representatives.

“Programs like Ready to Launch will create avenues through which women and under-represented minorities can connect with interventional cardiology early enough in their medical careers to help foster an interest in the field later in their careers,” commented Joaquin E. Cigarroa, MD, chair of the SCAI Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, in the society’s announcement.

Dr. Cigarroa, who is Chief of Cardiology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, continued, “Students will be offered mentorship opportunities with SCAI members who share similar backgrounds and experiences. We hope that by fostering these connections between SCAI and local communities, we can increase access to care and knowledge of the vast interventional therapies available to patients.” More information is available on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion section of the SCAI website.