Cardiology Fellows at the State Fair

Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program

The Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology is dedicated to preparing pediatric cardiologists for academic positions at institutions throughout the United States and the world. The program aims to provide a complete clinical experience in all aspects of pediatric cardiology as well as to develop independence in clinical or laboratory research related to the subspecialty.

Our ACGME-accredited fellowship program combines clinical experience with a wide variety of educational programs, including weekly conferences and lecture series, to enhance the learning experience for fellows with varying areas of interests.

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Curriculum

The clinical portion of fellowship consists of 24 months of experience including clinical service, CVICU, outpatient clinics, catheterization, electrophysiology, echocardiography, and adult congenital heart disease. Twelve months of the program are reserved for scholarly activity. Scholarly activity begins in the first year. 

Typical lecture schedule:

Monday AM:

  • Echocardiogram case review (weekly)

Tuesday AM:

  • Dr. Jonas Surgical Textbook Book Club with Dr. Sinha (monthly)
  • ACHD conference (biweekly)

Tuesday PM (12-4): Block education

  • General cardiology clinical case lecture (weekly)
  • Catheterization conference (biweekly)
  • Echocardiogram/advanced cardiac imaging (biweekly)
  • Inpatient service case discussion (weekly)
  • Morbidity and mortality conference (weekly)

Thursday AM:

  • Electrophysiology lecture (weekly)

Friday AM:

  • Cardiovascular surgery and catheterization conference (weekly)

Sample Block Schedule

Sample block schedule

    Stipends & Benefits

    This page provides access to information on stipends and benefits for medical residents & fellows.

    Additionally, each medical fellow receives:

    • Funding of the ABP General Pediatrics Certifying Exam
    • At least $1,500 for professional development
    • At least $300 annually in education funds
    • MN medical license, or MN residency permit if ineligible for a MN license
    • AAP membership with subspecialty section membership

    Prospective Fellows

    We appreciate your interest in the University of Minnesota's Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program and look forward to reviewing your application. Our program participates in the National Resident Match Program (NRMP) and will accept applications only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please contact the Program Director, Dr. Shanti Narasimhan (silv0099@umn.edu) if you have any questions not answered here on the webpage.

    Please Note:

    • Applicants must have completed an ACGME accredited residency program by the fellowship start date. 
    • We accept only applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card holders), or those who have a J-1 Visa.
    • 3 letters of recommendation are required, preferably to include one from the residency program director.

    The University of Minnesota demonstrates a commitment to leveraging the transformative power of equity and diversity to advance excellence in teaching, learning and community engagement. Applications from individuals who self-identify as members of underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.

    Current Fellows
    Benjamin_smith

    Benjamin Smith, MD
    smi01800@umn.edu
    Fellowship dates: 2020-2023
    Hometown: Northern Wisconsin
    Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee
    Residency: University of Vermont
    Hobbies: In my free time I enjoyed checking out the food-scene in the Twin Cities, hiking, kayaking, and downhill skiing.

    Publication Links:
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppedcard.2023.101615
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31668886/

    Amr_el-bok

    Amr El-Bokl, MD, MPH
    aelbokl@umn.edu
    Fellowship dates: 2020-2023
    Amr studied medicine at University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, after obtaining his MPH at University of Iowa. He graduated pediatric residency from the University of Minnesota. 

    Kishore_Raja

    Kishore Raja, MBBS
    raja0161@umn.edu
    Fellowship dates: 2021-2024
    Hometown: Salem, India 
    Medical School: Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, India 
    Residency: University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Fl 
    Hobbies: Playing Basketball, Travelling. Someday would like to get a private pilot license. 
    Fun Fact: I can Mirror write. 

    Publication Links:
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36514992/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29263012/
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30430036/

    Natalia_Betancourt-Guzman

    Natalia Betancourt-Guzman
    betan046@umn.edu
    Fellowship dates: 2022-2025
    Medical School: Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Puerto Rico
    Pediatrics Residency Program: Hospital Pediátrico Universitario, Centro Médico, Universidad de Puerto Rico
    Fellowship: Cardiology
    About me: I am a Puerto Rican who loves trying new foods, cooking, spending time with my family and my dog (a funny frenchie named Pelota), going to the beach, watching sunsets and sports. I also enjoy playing beach tennis and brisca cards.

    Publication Links:
    https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/S0735-1097%2823%2903855-X

    Farida_Karim

    Farida Karim
    karim166@umn.edu
    Fellowship dates: 2022-2025
    Medical School: Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Pakistan
    Residency: Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, University of Florida
    Fellowship: Pediatric Cardiology – University of Minnesota
    Career interest: Interventional Cardiology and single ventricle physiology
    Hobbies: Roller coasters, zip-lining, parasailing, snorkeling, water rafting, hiking, and traveling. I play table tennis and foosball

    Publication Links:
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35876081/
     DOI: 10.1017/S1047951122002049
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33200055/
    DOI: 10.7759/cureus.10941

    JosueMaldonadoCustodio

    Josue Maldonado Custodio
    maldo176@umn.edu
    Fellowship dates: 2022-2025
    Medical School: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
    Pediatric Residency Program: Hospital San Lucas/Ponce Health Science University
    Fellowship & Additional Training: He practiced General Pediatrics in Houston Texas for 2 years, before starting his Pediatric Cardiology fellowship in 2022.
    He likes books, movies, video games, anime, playing chess, spending time with family and his 3 cats.

    Faculty
    Julia Steinberger, MD, MS

    Julia Steinberger, MD, MS
    Professor & Division Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    stein055@umn.edu

    Shanti Narasimhan, MBBS, FASE

    Shanti Narasimhan, MBBS, FASE
    Professor & Fellowship Program Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    silv0099@umn.edu

    Varun Aggarwal, MBBS, FAAP

    Varun Aggarwal, MBBS, FAAP
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    aggar134@umn.edu

    Matthew Ambrose, MD

    Matthew Ambrose, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    ambr0049@umn.edu

    John Bass, MD

    John Bass, MD
    Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    bassx001@umn.edu

    Elizabeth Braunlin, MD, PhD

    Elizabeth Braunlin, MD, PhD
    Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    braun002@umn.edu

    Juan Carlos Samayoa , MD

    Juan Carlos Samayoa , MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    samay008@umn.edu

    Bradley Clark, MD

    Bradley Clark, MD
    Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    Director, Pediatric Electrophysiology
    Associate Fellowship Director
    clarkb@umn.edu

    Ryan Greene, MD

    Ryan Greene, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    gree2930@umn.edu

    Gurumurthy Hiremath Mallikarjun, MD

    Gurumurthy Hiremath Mallikarjun, MD
    Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    Director, Congenital Cardiac Catheterization
    hiremath@umn.edu

    Erick Jimenez, MD

    Erick Jimenez, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    jimen191@umn.edu

    Stacie Knutson, MD

    Stacie Knutson, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    holm0484@umn.edu

    Jamie Lohr, MD

    Jamie Lohr, MD
    Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    Co-Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
    lohrx003@umn.edu

    Daniel Peck, MD

    Daniel Peck, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    peck0194@umn.edu

    Syed Peer, MD

    Syed Peer, MD
    Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
    smpeer@umn.edu

    Nathan Rodgers, MD, MHA

    Nathan Rodgers, MD, MHA
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    rodge184@umn.edu

    Kavisha Shah, MD

    Kavisha Shah, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    kshah@umn.edu

    Pranava Sinha, MD, MBA

    Pranava Sinha, MD, MBA
    Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
    sinha228@umn.edu

    Lisha Thomas, MD

    Lisha Thomas, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
    thom8195@umn.edu

    Alumni

    Ryan Greene, MD
    Graduated 2022
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Minnesota

    Rupesh Natarajan, MD
    Graduated 2022
    Advanced Fellowship in Pediatric Interventional Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, West Virginia University

    Erick Jimenez, MD
    Graduated 2021
    Advanced Fellowship in Pediatric Electrophysiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Minnesota

    Hani Siddeek, MD
    Graduated 2021
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, Pediatric Cardiologist, University of Utah

    Keiran Leong, DO
    Graduated 2020
    Advanced Fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
    Current Position: Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

    Mark McGill, MD
    Graduated 2020
    Current Position: Pediatrician, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, St. Luke's University Health Network

    Lerraughn Morgan, DO
    Graduated 2020
    Current Position: Pediatric Cardiologist, Valley Children's Healthcare, Madera, CA

    View our Full List of Graduates!

    Shanti Narasimhan

    Fellowship Program Director

    Shanti Narasimhan, MBBS, FASE
    Professor 
    silv0099@umn.edu

    Hear from our Department Head

    Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

    Contact Us

    Fellowship Coordinator
    Michelle Stepka
    mstepka@umn.edu
    (612) 624-4912