Cardiology

Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Training Program

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Training Program at Tufts Medical Center provides trainees with the necessary skills to become exceptional specialists. Fellows are integrated into all aspects of the Division of Cardiology and the CardioVascular Center, providing bedside care, mastering procedural skills and participating in educational and research activities.

During the 3 to 4 year, fully ACGME/RRC-accredited training program, Fellows participate in clinical rotations involving a variety of aspects of inpatient and outpatient cardiovascular care, including cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, advanced cardiac imaging with CT/MR, electrophysiology, heart failure, cardiac intensive care, vascular medicine, community cardiology and preventive cardiology.

Following core cardiovascular training, Fellows are provided an opportunity to concentrate on sub-specialized training and research with advanced training in electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, heart failure and transplant. In addition, fellows have many research opportunities to pursue in basic and translational science at the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute as well as specialized research training in the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy. Fellows work closely with house staff and medical students as both consultants and educators.

For the latest update on innovative research and clinical training from Tufts MC's CardioVascular team, read our newsletter.

The goal of the program is to produce well-trained, clinically-savvy, compassionate cardiologists. The training program has a rich tradition of training well-rounded physicians in all aspects of cardiovascular medicine. Our competency-based goals include:

  • Patient care – fellows demonstrate compassionate, appropriate and effective care.
  • Medical knowledge – fellows demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, epidemiological and socio/behavioral sciences and demonstrate application of this knowledge to patient care.
  • Practice-based learning and improvement – fellows develop expertise in critical analysis of clinical problems and appropriate decision-making.
  • Interpersonal communication – fellows exhibit exceptional abilities to communicate with patients, families and health care teams.
  • Systems-based practice – fellows develop a larger awareness of the availability and proper utilization of resources when caring for cardiovascular patients.
  • Professionalism – fellows are encouraged to join local and national organizations, adhere to ethical principles and display sensitivity to diverse patient populations.

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program exposes trainees to an excellent case mix during their monthly rotations through the various subspecialties in cardiology. Fellows learn from a wide variety of clinical pathology and graduate as superb cardiologists capable of treating any cardiovascular patient. During their inpatient and outpatient rotations, fellows are exposed to a number of our major clinical programs, including:

  • Coronary heart disease
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiomyopathies
  • Electrophysiology
  • Cardiovascular imaging
  • Interventional cardiology
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Preventive cardiology and risk factor management
  • Pulmonary heart disease
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Infections and inflammatory heart disease
  • Women and heart disease
  • Diseases of the great vessels
  • Adult congenital heart disease
  • Cardiovascular surgery

Graduates from the Tufts General Cardiology Fellowship Program frequently pursue additional training to serve as sub-specialists in a variety of fields. Many fellows stay at Tufts MC for advanced training in the following ACGME-accredited training programs. 

Participation in cardiovascular research is an important part of the fellowship program at Tufts Medical Center. From early on in the fellowship years, trainees get involved in the numerous opportunities that we offer in basic and translational science, clinical projects and population research.

Each Fellow completes academic projects during fellowship and presents their findings at divisional conferences as well as local, national and international forums. The Fellows Research Forum allows trainees to present their research proposals and later their results to the entire faculty. Fellows interested in a career in basic science have unique opportunities in the Molecular Cardiology Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center. The MCRI focuses on the study of molecular mechanisms of human disease, incorporating translation of bench findings to new bedside strategies for diagnosis and therapy. The MCRI is fortunate to have a fellowship training grant sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to provide trainees hands-on experience to pursue careers in the biological sciences with a focus on cardiovascular research.

Fellows interested in clinical care and outcomes have the opportunity to work with the Division of Clinical Care Research at Tufts Medical Center. Members of this Division are interested in factors that affect clinical care and are developing treatment strategies, decision aids and computer-based systems to improve health outcomes. Post-doctoral training may be provided by the Division’s training grant in clinical care research.

In addition to the individualized instruction given throughout each rotation, fellows are taught through didactic sessions, interactive conferences and self study.

The core curriculum includes a Fellows’ Conference, the Cardiology Division Conference, EKG Conference, Cath Lab Conference, Preventive Cardiology Conference, Cardiology Grand Rounds, Imaging Conference and Medical Grand Rounds. Additional conferences include a Morbidity/Mortality Conference, Research Methodology Conference, Heart Failure Research Conference and Electrophysiology Conference.

Fellows have access to a full range of inpatient, outpatient, clinical and research laboratory facilities. The Naimi Fellowship Room, along with recently renovated Levine and Criscitiello Conference Rooms, provide centrally-located, dedicated workspace that is equipped with state-of-the-art educational resources. Fellows have access to a complete medical library through the Tufts University School of Medicine, as well as numerous on-line educational tools.

Our trainees spend the majority of their time at Tufts Medical Center.  To complement this training, fellows spend time at MelroseWakefield Hospital (Melrose, MA) and MetroWest Medical Center (Framingham, MA). During these rotations, fellows gain experience in consultative cardiology, critical care cardiology, non-invasive imaging and cardiac rehabilitation. Dedicated interventional and electrophysiology laboratory exposure is also provided to fellows during their community cardiology rotations. Teaching and supervision is performed by academically-trained and affiliated cardiologists, many of whom are trained at Tufts MC. 

Our outstanding faculty members are among the nation’s leaders in bringing the latest advances in cardiovascular diagnosis and care into clinical practice. Tufts Medical Center cardiology faculty are full-time academic staff dedicated to teaching fellows. All patient encounters and procedures performed by fellows are supervised by attending cardiologists.

James E. Udelson, MD
Chief, Division of Cardiology

Robert Blanton, MD
Michael Chin, MD, PhD
Chris Clyne, MD, MBA
David DeNofrio, MD
Brian Downey, MD
Kay Everett, MD, PhD
Jonas Galper, MD, PhD
Gaurav Gulati, MD, MS
Munther K. Homoud, MD
Gordon S. Huggins, MD
Iris Jaffe, MD, PhD
Navin K. Kapur, MD
Alec Kherlopian, MD, MPH
Michael Kiernan, MD, Msc
Carey D. Kimmelstiel, MD
Marvin A. Konstam, MD
Christopher Madias, MD
Ayan R. Patel, MD
Charlie Resor, MD,MSc
Guy Rozen, MD, MHA
Jenica Upshaw, MD
Amanda Vest, MBBS, MPH
Benjamin S. Wessler, MD

First Year Fellows

 

Nawaf Alfuraih, MD

 
I graduated medical school and completed IM residency back home in Saudi Arabia. After that I joined IM residency at Case Western University/University Hospitals in Cleveland. I am interested in critical care cardiology and multimodality imaging. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my wife and exploring cultures/cuisines (30 countries and counting!).   Nawaf Alfuraih MD
   

Craig Cooper, MD

 
I am a Quadruple Jumbo and have been at Tufts from undergrad through Cardiology Fellowship. I am particularly interested in advanced imaging and general cardiology. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and dog, going to the beaches of Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, snowboarding, and cheering on any of Boston's numerous championship-winning sports teams. Craig Cooper MD
   

Shravani Gangidi, MD

 
I grew up in New Jersey, studied at Johns Hopkins University for undergrad, University of Rochester for medical school and completed internal medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic. I am interested in heart failure and advanced imaging. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, tennis, historical fiction, and traveling. Shravani Gangidi MD
   

Hassan Khalil, MD

 
I graduated from University of Medical Sciences and Technology in Khartoum, Sudan. Went to Washington DC for residency at George Washington University and spent some time teaching MD-PhD students between Harvard and MIT. I am interested in Interventional Cardiology with focus in mechanical support after Anterior MI and biomarkers in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Heart failure. I enjoy exploring the world of Artificial Intelligence and technology in clinical practice. During my spare time I enjoy playing soccer, hiking, kayaking, snowboarding and playing tennis. I am a Real Madrid fan. Hassan Khalil MD
 
 

Samuel Stone, MD

 
I graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical school and completed my Internal Medicine Residency at Tufts Medical Center. I am interested in the field of cardiac critical care. I grew up outside of Boston and am a lifelong Bay Stater. I enjoy everything New England including hiking, kayaking, shellfishing and spending time with friends and family.  Sam Stone, MD

Second Year Fellows

 

Christopher Firely, MD

 
I went to medical school at Temple. I came to Tufts Medical Center for residency and completed 1 year of chief residency before fellowship. In the future, I plan on practicing general cardiology in an academic center as I enjoy working with medical students and trainees. In my spare time, I enjoy living in the city and taking in all Boston has to offer. I am a diehard Philadelphia sports fan surrounded by Bostonians.  Christopher Firely MD
   

Munim Khan, MD, MHS

 
I grew up in New Jersey, went to Johns Hopkins University for college, back to NJ at Rutgers NJMS for medical school, and now in Boston for my IM residency at Tufts MC and my cardiology fellowship. I am interested in electrophysiology and heart failure, but have an open mind since it’s early on in my cardiology training. In my spare time, I enjoy playing pickup soccer, watching my favorite English premier league team languish, host board game nights, and travel whenever I can to explore different cultures and cuisines. Munim Khan MD MHS
   

Abdulaziz (Aziz) Malik, MD

 
I graduated from Kuwait University Medical School and completed my Internal Medicine residency at Boston University Medical Center. My interest lies in a mixed clinical and research career in Electrophysiology. In my free time, I enjoy playing classical music on the piano and reading science fiction and fantasy novels. Abdulaziz Aziz Malik MD
   

Tran Nguyen, MD

 
I went to University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed my residency at George Washington University Hospital. I am interested in EP and advanced imaging. In my free time, I like traveling, exploring the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants, kickboxing and snowboarding. Tran Nguyen MD
   

Third Year Fellows

 

Malik Bilal Ahmed, MD, MBA

 
I am from Alabama, where I went to medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I met my wife, who is an MFM fellow at BWH, at UAB. We moved to the Northeast for residency training. I trained at Brown in Providence, RI for residency and plan to pursue a career in interventional and structural cardiology. My interests lie in medical economics and resource utilization. For fun, I make (terrible) beats, watch Alabama dominate in college football (roll tide roll), and drive aimlessly.  Malik Bilal Ahmed MD MBA

Khader Herzallah, MD

 
I graduated medical school from the Dammam University in Saudi Arabia. I completed my residency in Michigan State University, Lansing, MI. My long-term career and academic plans include subspecialty training in electrophysiology. My research focuses on establishing the prevalence and burden of arrhythmias in various diseases, as well as identifying optimal management strategies in each condition. More recently, I have grown interest in the field of cardiac stem cells and their electrophysiological properties. My extracurricular activities include soccer, basketball, tennis, music, and travel. Khader Herzallah MD

Satoshi Miyashita, MD

 
I earned my MD degree from Nippon Medical School in Japan. I completed my first residency in internal medicine Nippon Medical School Hospital in Japan then moved to the USA and completed my second residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center. My long-term career and academic plans include cardiac critical care and helping develop and advance the medical system in Japan. My research interests include mechanical support and cardiogenic shock. Extracurricularly, I enjoy travel and soccer. Satoshi Miyashita MD

Sharanya Mohanty, MD

 
I completed my undergraduate and medical school in my home-state, New Jersey. I received my medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I completed my internal medicine residency and chief residency year at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. I hope to further specialize in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology following completion of my general cardiology fellowship training. Sharanya Mohanty MD

Pranay Prabhakar, MD

 
I graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, NC and completed my residency in Internal Medicine at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.  My clinical interests are in electrophysiology, heart failure, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.  My hope is to pursue a career as a clinician and educator in general cardiology.  I am also currently exploring my interests in pursuing advanced training in electrophysiology or cardiac imaging.  My recent research interests have included applying remote tele-monitoring and predictive modeling to improving cardiovascular outcomes (reducing readmissions and early detection of decompensation in heart failure).  Outside of medicine, I am passionate about playing piano and performing my own covers of popular music (especially from the Indian cinema).  My other hobbies include cooking and traveling. Pranay Prabhakar MD

Eli Simsolo, MD

 
I am originally from Los Angeles and completed my medical school at Tel Aviv University in Israel. This provided me the unique opportunity to learn in a universal healthcare system before returning to the U.S. to complete my IM residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. I am interested in non-invasive imaging, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and electrophysiology. In my spare time, I like to travel, hike, and collect records. Eli Simsolo MD
   

Electrophysiology (EP) Fellows

 

Mossab Aljuaid, MD

 
I am originally from Saudi Arabia, where I earned my medical degree from King Saud University School of Medicine. After graduating, I spent a year in Washington D.C., where I attended George Washington University for a medical research fellowship program. Then, I completed my residency training in internal medicine at the University of Utah. I am interested in atrial fibrillation, cardiac MRI, and mobile health technologies. I am planning on specializing in advanced cardiac electrophysiology. I enjoy traveling, skiing, playing/arguing about soccer, and playing chess with friends in my free time. Mossab Aljuaid MD

Derya Arkonac, MD

 
I studied biomedical engineering at Columbia University and went to medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. I did my internal medicine residency and general cardiology fellowship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York, NY. I am currently a fellow in cardiac electrophysiology. In my free time I love to travel, read, swim, and cook. Derya Arkonac MD

Abdullah Alissa, MD

 
I am currently a first year Clinical Electrophysiology Fellow. I am from Saudi Arabia, where I earned my medical degree from King Saud University School of Medicine. After my graduation, I enrolled in a post doctorate research fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He I continued my training at the University of Maryland where I did my internal medicine residency. I completed my general cardiology fellowship here at Tufts Medical Center and served as the chief fellow 2020-2021. I am a father of two. Yousef 4 years old and Mona 1 year old. Hobbies include but not limited to taking photos of fellows when they least expect it and making stickers. Abdullah Alissa MD
   

Interventional Cardiology Fellows

 
 

Noah Haroian, MD

 
I'm from Warwick, Rhode Island, obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island, completed residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and general cardiology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. I wanted to come to Tufts for interventional fellowship given the exposure to complex coronary disease, structural heart disease, and mechanical circulatory support. In my spare time, I enjoy going on day trips with my wife and 2-year-old daughter as well as rooting for the New York Giants.  After fellowship, I aspire to practice in an academic setting with active cardiogenic shock and structural heart disease programs. Noa Haroian MD 

Michael Yaoyao Yin, MD

 
I went to medical school at the University of Tennessee. Then, I completed my IM residency at Emory University and my general fellowship at University of Utah. My long-term career and academic plans include interventional HF and device-based therapy to improve outcomes in cardiogenic shock and advanced HF. My research interests include cardiogenic shock, quality improvement in advanced HF patients with LVAD and post-transplant. Extracurricularly, I enjoy spending time with my 2 dogs, skiing, and keeping my infant son alive and healthy. Michael Yaoyao Yin MD
   

Heart Failure Fellows

 

Lenny Genovese, MD

 
I am new to the Boston area having been in DC for the last 8 years. I was at George Washington for residency, then worked as a heart failure hospitalist at Medstar Washington Hospital Center for 2 years before cardiology training at INOVA Heart and Vascular Institute in Northern Virginia. I am now completing my training in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology at Tufts. I enjoy treating patients with all types of cardiomyopathies, but most of my research and my passion lies in outcomes in cardiogenic shock and temporary mechanical circulatory support. Outside of work, I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my wife and 2 boys as well as training for and competing in Ironman races. Lenny Genovese MD

Spencer Liu, MD

 
I was raised along the New Jersey shore and attended medical school at Rutgers-NJMS and completed my internal medicine training at Georgetown University Hospital. I pursued my general cardiology training followed by interventional cardiology at Dartmouth. I am interested in mechanical circulatory support and cardiogenic shock which has led me to pursue further training in advanced heart failure transplant cardiology and I plan to practice as an academic interventional heart failure cardiologist. In my free time I enjoy fitness, hiking, and exploring the world through food and cooking. Spencer Liu MD
   

Advanced Imaging Fellow

 

Yazan (Yaz) Daaboul, MD

 
I was born and raised in Lebanon. I earned my MD degree from the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Beirut. Post-graduation, I completed 2 years of clinical research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and earned my certification in applied biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health. I completed my residency and cardiology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center where I also served as the chief cardiology fellow 2022-23. I am currently the advanced cardiac imaging fellow at Tufts Medical Center with focus on CMR, cardiac CT, nuclear imaging, and echocardiography. My clinical research interests include anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies, acute coronary syndromes, risk modeling, and implementation of Bayesian analysis in cardiovascular disease. Extracurricularly, I enjoy playing the piano and golf. Yazan (Yaz) Daaboul MD
   

Applications for our Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program are accepted via ERAS, the electronic residency application system. All applicants must have completed the necessary training to become ABIM board-eligible in Internal Medicine. The application deadline is July 10. Our team conducts a thorough review of each application downloaded from ERAS. A select number of applicants are invited for an interview to meet with staff and to tour the facilities. At the completion of the interview process, applications are again reviewed and are ranked based on qualifications and interview scores. The final rank list is then submitted to the National Residency Match Program for selection of the fellowship class.

Rebecca Thorne
Fellowship Coordinator
Division of Cardiology
800 Washington St. Box 315
Boston, MA 02111
T: 617-636-4322
F: 617-636-4769