Current CVD Fellows

Hassan Akram, MD

Medical School: Oakland University

Residency: University of Minnesota

His home town is Woodbury, Minnesota. A fun fact about him is that he has lived in three different countries. He was born and raised in Pakistan, moved to Canada at age 14 and later relocated to the United States in 2014. He initially lived in Miami and did his undergrad there, before moving to Detroit for medical school and then to Minneapolis for residency. He enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling. Over the past two years, he and his wife have visited four different countries and ten cities. He loves jet skiing and warm beach days, and he enjoys cooking, particularly Pakistani and Italian cuisine. He also enjoys hosting dinner parties, including organizing a resident Thanksgiving dinner (picture attached). He is currently interested in pursuing a career in cardiac critical care or advanced heart failure, though he remains open to other advanced cardiology fellowship opportunities as well.

Nicholas Bergeron, MD

Medical School: University of Massachusetts

Residency: Mayo Clinic

I grew up in New Hampshire and completed undergrad and medical school in Massachusetts. I came out to Minnesota for residency and brought along my girlfriend with me, and we decided to stay along for fellowship! In my free time, I love to cook, bake, hike, run, play soccer, and go on midwest adventures.

Future plans: undifferentiated-current interests include general, imaging, heart failure

Namrata Gadela, MD

Medical School: Florida Atlantic University

Residency: Tufts Medical Center

I grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs and am thrilled to be moving back home for fellowship! After heading south to Florida for college and medical school, and then up to Boston for residency, I'm excited to finally return to Minnesota. Outside of medicine, I love trying new restaurants, traveling, and diving into my monthly book club picks.

Roshan Patel, MD

Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation

He is originally from the Philadelphia area but has now spent as much time in the Midwest (shoutout to Cleveland) as he has on the East Coast! He and his fiancée are excited to move to Minneapolis as they both start fellowship training. Outside of work, he enjoys tending to his bonsais, running & exploring nature, baking unique cakes, and traveling. He is interested in cardiac adaptations to stress across the spectrum of health from exercise and extreme environments to critical illness and he is considering a career in sports cardiology or heart failure & critical care.

Neal Shah, MD

Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City

Residency: University of Chicago

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and went to medical school in Kansas City in the six year program at UMKC. I went back home to Chicago for residency and am very excited to explore Minnesota with my upgraded winter coat! I am a former competitive swimmer and dancer turned weightlifter. Lifelong diehard Chicago Bears fan. I love fantasy novels, game nights, and pretend I'm an amateur food critic.

Future Plans: Professionally, I am interested in general cardiology - with a focus on nutrition / health communication vs. Interventional.

Ryan Wong, MD

Medical School: University of Alabama

Residency: UAB Tinsley Harrison

Ryan is originally from Alabama and is very interested in what real snow is like in Minnesota! He is excited to try a Juicy Lucy, cross-country skiing, finding a new cycle studio (I love spin classes!), and getting his first beyg. He plans to pursue a career in critical care and interventional cardiology with an emphasis on learning more about Cardio-obstetrics and mechanical circulatory support devices.

Charles (Duncan) Smart, MD, PhD

Medical School: Vanderbuilt University

Residency: University of Minnesota (PSTP)

I grew up in Dallas and went to the University of Texas for undergraduate. I then spent eight years in Nashville for medical and graduate school. There, I met my wife Kari who is from the Twin Cities. I enjoy exploring local parks with our doodle puppy, spending time on the lake, rooting for the Longhorns, and trying new restaurants. From a research perspective, I am most interested in the link between inflammation and cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. I plan to be a general cardiologist with a basic to translational research

focus.

Collin Goebel, MD

Medical School: University of Wisconsin

Residency: University of Wisconsin

I grew up in Milwaukee, WI and completed my education in Madison, WI. I enjoy anything outside, particularly playing tennis or pickle ball, hiking, biking, or going on camping trips. I moved to Minnesota with my two cats, and we have been enjoying our time in Minneapolis so far!

Future plans: I am not yet decided, but I will likely continue to an EP or interventional fellowship

Alice Huang, MD

Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Residency: Washington University in St. Louis

I grew up in New Jersey and went to undergrad and med school on the east coast. My partner whom I met in medical school is from Minnesota and his immediate family lives in Minnesota. As such, I decided to stay here in the Midwest for training. Outside of work, I enjoy travel, reading, photography (digital and analog), rock climbing, pottery, and trying out new restaurants.

Future plans: Undifferentiated

Matthew Kern, MD

Medical School: University of Arizona - Tuscon

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, so I'm a rabid Arizona Wildcats basketball fan. I met my wife, Morgan, during undergrad at BYU. We moved back to Tucson for med/grad school at the University of Arizona, then moved to Nashville for residency at Vanderbilt. We have two sons, Jake and Logan. My hobbies include reading, fly fishing, birding, and cooking Thai curry.

Future plans: Imaging (CT/CMR) and prevention 

Cutler Lewandowski, MD, PhD

Medical School: University of Illinois Chicago

Residency: University of Minnesota

I grew up in a small town in northern Wisconsin but came to the U for undergrad. After I finished medical school in Chicago, my wife and I moved back here with our dog and cat. In my free time, I enjoy being outside and active (in all seasons!), reading (sci-fi is my go-to genre), and playing board games (Ticket to Ride is my personal favorite).

Future plans: Physician-scientist studying cardiomyopathy 

Alan Manivannan, MD

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Residency: Boston University

I was born in India and moved to the U.S. at age 11. My family eventually settled in Duluth, Minnesota, and I’ve considered myself a Minnesotan ever since. My wife and I met in medical school at the University of Minnesota and couples matched to residency programs in Boston. After four incredibly fulfilling years in New England, we felt it was the right time to return to Minnesota to be closer to family and friends and to build our careers. I was thrilled to match at the University of Minnesota, and my wife will be starting her practice as a full-scope family medicine physician, including obstetrics.

In our free time, I enjoy golfing, sailing, hiking, canoeing, camping, and cross-country skiing. We also love spending weekends exploring the growing food scene in the Twin Cities, as well as checking out new breweries and coffee shops. 

Future plans: Undifferentiated - Interested in Heart Failure/Critical Care, EP and Advanced Imaging.

Tejus Satish, MD

Medical School: Columbia University

Residency: University of Texas Southwestern

I'm originally from Sugar Land, TX, the home of Imperial Sugar. Outside of work, I like reading sci-fi, tinkering with amateur radio, and learning to play the guitar.

Future plans: Electrophysiology

Pierre Sebastian, MD

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Residency: University of California, San Francisco

I was born and raised in Minnesota, but I come from varied cultural roots: my father emigrated from Pakistan and my mother comes from farmland in Kimball, Minnesota. My wife and I have enjoyed being back home in the Midwest. You can often find me spending time with her and our 2 hairless (Sphynx) cats, Cake and Mouse. I also enjoy all the traditional outdoor activities around the lakes.

Future plans: I have an interest in Interventional and Critical Care Cardiology, especially as it relates to Biomedical Engineering and device design. I have enjoyed researching CPR and the management of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, and plan to have an academic career at the intersection of BME and Cardiology.

Sean Selko, MD

Medical School: University of Nebraska

Residency: University of Utah

I moved here from Salt Lake City and originally am from Nebraska. I enjoy spending as much time as I can outside mostly through trail running, hiking, or golf, but I am a fan of trying anything new! I enjoy doing all these things with my partner on my days off as well as cheering on my favorite sports teams (Go Big Red).

Future plans: General Cardiology with an emphasis on prevention and cardiometabolics 

Melissa Feuerborn, MD

Medical School: University of Kansas

Residency: University of Utah Health

I enjoy climbing rocks, trail running, hammocking, spikeball, skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, or really anything outdoors!

Future plans:  General non-invasive cardiology 

Andrew Hughes, MD

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Residency: Vanderbilt University

I was born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota for both my undergraduate and medical education. My wife and I moved to Nashville for residency before returning home to Minnesota for fellowship training. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife and daughter, as well as fishing, hiking, barbecuing, and cheering on the Gophers at college football games.

Future plans: I will be pursuing an Advanced Heart Failure fellowship with research focused on the application of digital health technologies, including wearable devices such as smartwatches, in cardiovascular medicine.

Alexander Heilman, MD

Medical School: University of Cincinnati

Residency: University of Colorado

I am from Cincinnati but moved to Minnesota from Denver. My hobbies include spending time with my dog Osmosis, road biking and Peloton, hiking in national parks, paddleboarding, exploring local restaurants and breweries, and watching football.

Future plans: Interventional Cardiology

Doruk Karaaslan, MD

Medical School: Koç University, Istanbul

Residency: UT Southwestern

I am currently a second year fellow in cardiology with a focus on cardiac imaging. I am originally from Istanbul, Turkey, but moved to Minneapolis after completing my internal medicine residency in Dallas. I am planning to build my career in general cardiology, emphasizing imaging techniques. Outside of my professional life, I love baking, going to concerts, and exploring foreign cuisines, as well as replicating recipes from around the world.

Future plans: General Cardiology

Clinton Kolseth, MD

Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno

Residency: Oregon Health & Science University

I grew up in Reno, NV where I completed my medical education before moving up to Portland, OR for residency training, so this is my first time out of the West Coast and have fallen in love with the Twin Cities! I enjoy running, fine dining, good wine, and a great time. I have found Minneapolis has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Future plans: Critical care, with a focus in medical education and improving patient outcomes.

Matthew Konz, MD

Medical School: Medical College of WI

Residency: University of WI, Madison

I was born and raised in Milwaukee, now gradually making my way west as I move through training. I met my wife in the UW Marching Band, and we still enjoy going back to Camp Randall for football games when not enjoying the local outdoors scene in the Twin Cities with our toddler son. 

Future plans: General non-invasive cardiology, exploring sports cardiology as a potential niche

Nikita Sumzin, MD

Medical School: Columbia University

Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

I am originally from New York City, and have been slowly making my way out West via my medical training. After finishing residency in Pittsburgh, I worked as a hospitalist prior to cardiology fellowship. In my free time I enjoy local and international travel with my wife and son, I love going on walks with my dog, biking, kayaking, swimming, exploring new parks, and trying out new foods.

Future plans: I have cardiology interests across many areas, including critical care, EP, cardio-onc, cardio-ob, and imaging.

Parag Bawaskar, MBBS

Program: Advanced Heart Failure 

CVD fellowship: Topiwala National Medical College & Nair Ch Hospital, Mumbai, India

Parag completed medical school at the Government Medical College in Akola, Maharashtra, India. He then completed residency and a fellowship in cardiology at the Topiwala National Medical College & Nair Ch Hospital in Mumbai. For the past 5 years, Dr. Bawaskar has worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Dr. Chetan Shenoy in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Minnesota.

Oscar (Rodrigo) Zamudio Herrera, MD

Program: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

1st year

CVD fellowship: Marshall University School of Medicine

Rodrigo completed Medical School at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado in Pero before coming to the United States. He then completed residency at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at Knapp Medical Center and his cardiology fellowship at Marshall University School of Medicine.

Wilfredo Henriquez Madrid, DO

Program: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

2nd year

CVD fellowship: University of New Mexico

Wil completed his Cardiovascular Medicine training at the University of New Mexico. Wil also did his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico. He is looking forward to experiencing real winters. In his free time, Wil enjoys reading, staying active, and exploring new languages (currently dabbling in Italian with varying levels of commitment).

Rezwan Munshi, MD

Program: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

2nd year

CVD fellowship: MercyOne North Iowa

Rez completed his Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, where he also served as Chief Fellow. Rez completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, NY. In a sense, Res is returning home, having completed his undergraduate degree in Physiology here at the University of Minnesota. In his free time, Rez enjoys basketball, weight lifting, cars, video games, health and fitness, cooking, traveling, and motorcycle rides.

Arvind Kalyan Sundaram, MBBS

Program: Structural Heart Diseases

CVD Fellowship: UMass-Chan-Baystate Medical Center

Arvind was born and raised in Chennai, India, before moving to the United States for postgraduate training. He completed residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Critical Care Medicine. He then worked as an academic Intensivist before completing fellowships in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota for Advanced Structural Heart Disease Fellowship, he practiced as an interventional cardiologist in Illinois. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, traveling, exploring new places, hiking and cooking. He was a national-level swimmer during his school years in India and continues to enjoy staying active.

Future Plans: Structural Interventional Cardiology and Complex Coronary Interventions

Milos Brankovic, MD, PhD

Program: Interventional Cardiology

CVD Fellowship: University of Minnesota

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking and sailing, which offer both physical challenge and a chance to connect with nature. Photography is another favorite pursuit. I’m also an avid sports enthusiast, whether participating or spectating, and I appreciate the discipline, teamwork, and energy that sports bring to life. In my downtime, I enjoy going out for food with friends, as it’s a great way to unwind, connect, and explore different cuisines.

Future plans: interventional cardiologist, with collaboration with innovative medical device technology 

Gaspar Del Rio Pertuz, MD

Program: Interventional Cardiology

CVD Fellowship: University of Minnesota

I’m originally from Cartagena, Colombia, where I completed medical school before moving to the U.S. to pursue medical training. Growing up, I aspired to be a professional tennis player and competed in several national and international tournaments. While I ultimately chose medicine as my career path, tennis remains a passion, and I always enjoy finding new people to play with.

Future plans: Interventional Cardiologist

Francisco Romeo, MD

Program: Interventional Cardiology

CVD Fellowship: University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital

Francisco completed medical school at the Instituto Universitario Escuela de Medicina del Hospital Italiano Argentina. He then completed residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai-Mount Sinai Morningside-West and his cardiology fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Laith Alhuneafat, MD

Program: Cardiac Critical Care Medicine/Interventional Cardiology

CVD Fellowship: University of Minnesota

I grew up in Karak, Jordan, and Vancouver, Canada. I met my wife, Nada, in medical school; she now works in rheumatology. We have a son and are excited to welcome a daughter soon. I'm a big Real Madrid fan, love traveling, and ironically, my favorite destination so far has been Barcelona.

Future plans: Critical care/Interventional Cardiology Dual Track Fellowship

Ilan Vavilin, MD

Program: Cardiac Critical Care Medicine/Interventional Cardiology

CVD Fellowship: Inova Fairfax Medical Center

I'm originally from Israel but grew up in Brooklyn, NY. I earned my medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies where I met my wife (who is a veterinarian). I completed my internal medicine residency and chief residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. I stayed in the DC-area to complete my fellowship in cardiology at Inova Fairfax Medical Center where I served as chief fellow. I am very excited to train at University of Minnesota for my critical care and interventional cardiology dual-track program. In my free time, I love to spend time with my two daughters, travel, and explore different restaurants.

Future Plans: Interventional Cardiology and Critical Care