New Fellowship Aims to Reduce Rural Cardiovascular Disparities
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recently announced the launch of the Thad and Gerry Waites Rural Cardiovascular Research Fellowship, a program designed to advance research and improve care in rural and underserved communities. A fellowship is a training program and, in this case, a research opportunity for a physician who has completed their residency and is pursuing additional specialized training in cardiology. It provides them with funding, mentorship, and resources to study innovative solutions. The program offers up to $70,000 in funding for a cardiology fellow who will gain experience in Mississippi, West Virginia, Seattle and Florida.
The initiative, funded through the generosity of Thad F. Waites, MD, MACC, and in memory of his wife Gerry, reflects a deep commitment to addressing the disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease in rural areas across the country. Dr. Waites, who has been practicing medicine for over 50 years, is a physician with Hattiesburg Clinic Heart & Vascularwhere he provides services and procedures for patients with various cardiac disorders. “Words fall short in trying to describe the impact that Dr. Waites and Ms. Gerry have had on Hattiesburg Clinic, the communities we serve, and on a much broader scale across our state and country,” Bryan N. Batson, MD, chief executive officer of Hattiesburg Clinic, said. “This fellowship is such an inspiring and meaningful gift to the medical world, and it exemplifies the kind of people they are — using their resources, connections, and influence to impact healthcare for future generations.”
When asked what inspired him to fund this fellowship, Waites said, “One of the things my wife always said was, ‘Give away money — it’s the easiest thing to do.’ So, when I thought about philanthropy, I wanted to do something boots on the ground that would advance health equity.”
The program not only provides financial support but also seeks to create a lasting impact on patient outcomes. Emphasizing the fellowship’s long-term goals, Waites stated, “If you put bright, talented people in place and tell them to do something, not only will they do it, they’ll see other things to do. That’s the pay-it-forward effect we’re aiming for.” Beyond this first year of funding, Waites expressed, “We don’t expect to improve rural health in Mississippi in just one year. But if one fellow does the work and makes someone else excited, then the next will build on that, and so on. That’s our goal.”
In addition to funding, fellows will benefit from mentorship, institutional partnerships and opportunities to engage with communities directly. “This isn’t just about money. Fellows will have access to data, mentorship and real connections with leaders in population health, primary care and cardiology.” Waites went on to explain that because of existing regional connections between health care organizations, Mississippi is a strong state for networking and that will be a great benefit for participants. “We’re hoping the program not only funds their research year, but also gives them credentials they can carry forward, as well as relationships that will last their whole careers.”
The fellowship builds on the ACC’s broader initiatives, such as the CardioSmart Caring Hearts campaign and the Rural Cardiovascular Health Initiative, which was piloted in New Mexico. Together, these efforts highlight the ACC’s mission-driven focus on reducing disparities and improving cardiovascular health nationwide.
Waites also offered some advice for young cardiologists considering the fellowship. “This fellowship is for people interested in learning about and working in rural America. It would be especially good if you are in a research year, as it provides support and resources you need to make a difference.”
Ultimately, Dr. Waites hopes the program will help cultivate a new generation of physicians committed to bringing high-quality cardiovascular care to communities that need it most. “I look forward to this being a model for what comes next. Each fellow will start where the last one left off, adding something new to the field. Over time, maybe cardiology fellowships will begin to include rural health as a formal component—something that doesn’t exist right now,” Waites said. “This could potentially be the start of a real program, not just in Mississippi but across the country. And it might be as simple and as powerful as training community health workers who are finally certified and compensated for their work.”
Applications for the fellowship program are open now through Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. Those interested can visit www.acc.org to apply.
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About Hattiesburg Clinic Heart & Vascular:
Hattiesburg Clinic Heart & Vascular is a full-service cardiology clinic, dedicated to helping patients with their vascular and cardiology needs. It is our goal to offer quality care to each patient, by utilizing a variety of innovative products and procedures to take care of the patient’s heart and vascular needs. We provide hospital services, disease management, diagnostic services and vascular services across the Pine Belt.
About Hattiesburg Clinic:
Hattiesburg Clinic is Mississippi’s largest privately-owned, multispecialty clinic. Founded in 1963, Hattiesburg Clinic has expanded to include over 450 physicians and providers, along with 2,500 employees, serving patients across more than 17 counties in Mississippi. Hattiesburg Clinic is committed to being the health care provider of choice in the communities we serve.
