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EAST LIVERPOOL – For most physicians, completion of medical residency training is the ultimate goal, but one local physician has other pursuits in mind.
Dr. Varun Avula is currently completing his third and final year with East Liverpool City Hospital’s Residency Program. He will graduate in June 2017, and has been extended an invitation to pursue a fellowship at Arnot Health in Elmira, N.Y.
While not a necessity, many physicians seek prestigious fellowship opportunities amidst a highly-competitive field of applicants. Arnot Health interviewed 17 physicians during its selection process and Avula was offered one of two fellowships in cardiology.
“This is such an incredible platform for him to further pursue his passion in a truly innovative setting. He should be commended on such an outstanding accomplishment,” explains Gretchen Nickell, chief medical officer and Internal Medicine Residency Program director at East Liverpool City Hospital.
Avula attributes his latest opportunity to the career pathway that began at East Liverpool City Hospital.
“The residency program at East Liverpool really paved the way for my interest in cardiology. I was exposed to amazing physicians like Dr. David Belvedere and Dr. Kwon Miller through the hospital’s partnership with Mercy Health,” states Avula.
Earlier this summer, Avula also had an opportunity to train alongside Dr. John Pacella during his rotation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Presbyterian campus. His greatest support, however, remains Dr. Nickell. According to Avula, “the level of support we receive from her is phenomenal. She embraces exploration and facilitates letters of recommendation for residents to continue with their graduate medical education.”
Nickell’s commitment to the residents at East Liverpool City Hospital is continually evident. The Internal Medicine Residency Program at the hospital has successfully placed every resident seeking a fellowship opportunity. According to Varun, “this just proves that you do not have to complete your medical training at an academic hospital to be exposed to such opportunities in the future.”
“We are thrilled to have another one of our residents completing one journey in pursuit of another. It is our hope that upon completion of his fellowship at Arnot Health, Dr. Avula will rejoin our team here at East Liverpool,” says Keith Richardson, chief executive officer at the hospital.