Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
Contact Us
Fellowship Pogram Director
Bradley Clark, MD
[email protected]
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Michelle Stepka
[email protected]
(612) 624-4912
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.
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

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 ([email protected]) and fellowship coordinator, Michelle Stepka ([email protected]) 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.
- 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.
Tobias Donlon, MD
Fellowship dates: 2023-2026
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Pediatric Residency Program: University of Minnesota Medical School
Michael White, MD
Fellowship dates: 2023-2026
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Pediatric Residency Program: Loyola University Medical Center
J. Tyler Bruce, MD
Fellowship dates: 2024-2027
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Pediatric Residency Program: Maimonides Medical Center/Infants and Children's Hospital of Brooklyn
Career interests: Electrophysiology & Genetics
Hobbies: Playing hockey, baseball, tennis, video games, traveling, piano
Samantha Zhang, DO
Fellowship dates: 2024-2027
Medical School: Kansas City University
Residency: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
Career interests: Advanced Imaging, Point-of-Care Diagnostics, Congenital Heart Disease
Hobbies: Avid foodie and plant mom!
Pradeeksha Mukuntharaj, MBBS
Fellowship Dates: 2025-2028
Medical School: Government Medical College Akola, India
Residency: University of South Dakota School of Medicine
Anja Touma, MD, PhD
Fellowship Dates: 2025-2028
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Residency: University of Minnesota
Gurumurthy Hiremath Mallikarjun, MD
Associate Professor, Interim Division Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Director, Congenital Cardiac Catheterization
[email protected]
Bradley Clark, MD
Associate Professor, Fellowship Program Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Director, Pediatric Electrophysiology
[email protected]
Varun Aggarwal, MBBS, FAAP
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Matthew Ambrose, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
John Bass, MD
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Elizabeth Braunlin, MD, PhD
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Juan Carlos Samayoa , MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Devin Chetan, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Erick Jimenez, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Stacie Knutson, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Jamie Lohr, MD
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Co-Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
[email protected]
Shanti Narasimhan, MBBS, FASE
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Daniel Peck, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Syed Peer, MD
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
[email protected]
Nathan Rodgers, MD, MHA
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
Kavisha Shah, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
M. Abigail Simmons, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Interim Director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease
[email protected]
Pranava Sinha, MD, MBA
Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
[email protected]
Julia Steinberger, MD, MS
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]
For more information on our other medical fellowship programs, click here.



