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.

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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

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

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.

Current Fellows
Tobias headshot

Tobias Donlon, MD
Fellowship dates: 2023-2026
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Pediatric Residency Program: University of Minnesota Medical School

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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

JT Bruce headshot

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 headshot

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!

A headshot of a smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a black blazer over a pink top.

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

Anja Touma, MD, PhD
Fellowship Dates: 2025-2028
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Residency: University of Minnesota

Faculty
Guru Hiremath

Gurumurthy Hiremath Mallikarjun, MD
Associate Professor, Interim Division Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Director, Congenital Cardiac Catheterization
[email protected]

Bradley Clark

Bradley Clark, MD
Associate Professor, Fellowship Program Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Director, Pediatric Electrophysiology
[email protected]

Varun Aggarwal

Varun Aggarwal, MBBS, FAAP
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Matthew Ambrose

Matthew Ambrose, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

John Bass

John Bass, MD
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Elizabeth Braunlin

Elizabeth Braunlin, MD, PhD
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Juan Carlos

Juan Carlos Samayoa , MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Devin Chetan

Devin Chetan, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Erick Jimenez, MD

Erick Jimenez, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Stacie Knutson

Stacie Knutson, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Jamie Lohr

Jamie Lohr, MD
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
Co-Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
[email protected]

Shanti Narasimhan

Shanti Narasimhan, MBBS, FASE
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Daniel Peck

Daniel Peck, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Syed Peer

Syed Peer, MD
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
[email protected]

Nathan Rodgers

Nathan Rodgers, MD, MHA
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

Kavisha Shah

Kavisha Shah, MD
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

A smiling woman is wearing a maroon turtle neck on a blurred nature background.

M. Abigail Simmons, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Interim Director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease
[email protected]

Pranava Sinha

Pranava Sinha, MD, MBA
Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
[email protected]

Julia Steinberger, MD, MS

Julia Steinberger, MD, MS
Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
[email protected]

For more information on our other medical fellowship programs, click here.