Shazia Aziz, M.B.B.S.
CVF3
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Medical School: Bhaskar Medical College
Residency: New York City Health & Hospitals/Lincoln Medical Center Chief Residency: Carle Foundation Hospital
Why ChristianaCare: I was drawn to the robust clinical exposure, diverse pathology, and the hands-on training opportunity that Christiana’s cardiology program offers. The camaraderie shared between the fellows and faculty is impressive. The program is extremely supportive of fellows’ individual career goals.
Irfan Gondal, M.D.
CVF3
Hometown: Long Island, New York
Medical School: State University of New York Downstate
Residency: New York University Long Island
Why ChristianaCare: The hallmark of a strong physician is experience. Christiana offers an unparalleled experience in terms of pathology, volume, and diversity of patient population. Christiana will allow me to grow as a cardiologist and hone my skills that will last for the rest of my career.
Umar Farooq, M.D.
CVF3
Hometown: South Brunswick. New Jersey
Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine
Residency: St Luke’s University Hospital
Why ChristianaCare: ChristianaCare and Delaware have become home to my wife and I over the past few years. The opportunity to train at a nationally renowned high-volume center with diverse pathology, exceptional camaraderie, and most importantly, an extremely supportive and knowledgeable faculty, in a place we now call home has been a dream come true! There is no place I would rather be.
Cara Baker, D.O.
CVF2
Hometown: Voorhees, New Jersey
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Why ChristianaCare: I chose ChristianaCare for the high volume and medically complex patient experience. Paired with a smaller fellowship size, Christiana offers the perfect combination of a personalized feel with a fast-paced learning environment.
Samir Mehta, D.O.
CVF2
Hometown: Colonia, New Jersey
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic medicine
Residency: ChristianaCare
Why ChristianaCare: Having been a resident here, it has been an honor to be able to continue in my training as a fellow. All of our attendings are superb mentors and they’ve served that role for me since the first day of my intern year. There is a great sense of family that exists in the hospital among trainees and attendings. The volume here is unmatched, the support is amazing, and our patient population provides us with a varied pathology that will ensure you are ready for whatever the world has to offer once you conclude training.
Jay Patel, M.D.
CVF2
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Medical School: State University of New York Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
Residency: Tufts Medical Center
Why ChristianaCare: The fellowship program at Christiana feels more like a family than just a training program. Everyone, from the faculty to the fellows and the other staff in the hospital are warm, welcoming and foster a healthy and vibrant environment for learning and growing. The hospital itself is the backbone of the state which allows for great exposure to the bread and butter and more niche cardiac pathologies.
Salma Khatoon, M.B.B.S.
CVF1
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Medical School: Deccan College of Medical Sciences
Residency: Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital Fellowship: University of Alabama, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology
Why ChristianaCare: I am impressed with the program’s strong emphasis on clinical education and fellow’s hands-on exposure opportunities. The program’s ability to blend community-based and tertiary care experience offers an extremely well-rounded clinical foundation. Most appealing to me is the caliber of the faculty and the genuinely supportive mentorship environment, ideally complemented by the collaborative learning environment. I seek ChristianaCare’s dedication to patient care and education makes it the best place for me to continue to grow as a future cardiologist.
Soumiya Ravi, M.B.B.S.
CVF1
Hometown: Chandigarh, India
Medical School: Dayanand Medical College
Residency: University of Arizona College of Medicine
Why ChristianaCare: I’ve always sought a training environment that not only offers exposure to diverse pathologies but also surrounds me with mentors and colleagues who are genuinely invested in my growth and long-term goals-so I can be prepared to take on anything in the real world. I can truly say that I’ve found that here. Additionally, the program’s smaller size fosters a close-knit community and allows for personalized mentorship that encourages open dialogue and supports continuous growth.
Athul Rajesh, M.D.
CVF1
Hometown: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency: Lankenau Medical Center
Why ChristianaCare: Christiana offers the ideal mix of high-volume clinical exposure, strong mentorship. and a diverse patient population. I value the program’s hands-on training, supportive faculty, and collegial culture-an environment where I know I can grow into a well-rounded cardiologist.
Ryan Kovacik, D.O.
CVF1
Hometown: Ringoes, New Jersey
Medical School: Philadelphia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Lankenau Medical Center
Why ChristianaCare:
“One of the best parts of the program is that we see and care for a very comprehensive and wide variety of cardiac pathologies. From prevention to advances heart failure therapies, structural interventions, we see it all!” –Vikash Rambhujun
“You would be hard pressed to find another place that so perfectly blends what a training program requires: a collegial atmosphere among trainees and attendings to facilitate learning and a diversity and volume in pathology to rival the best. An absolute gem!”- M. Abubakar Shakir
“Wonderful place to train in a collegial and academic environment. One aspect that cannot be undermined is how receptive the program leadership and faculty is to fellow feedback. Furthermore, the faculty is very supportive and wants to see all the fellows succeed in their careers after fellowship.”-Hussain Azizi
“The collegiality amongst the fellowship program and cardiology department here at ChristianaCare is truly palpable. The excitement to come into work each day to collaborate with one another and be able to see an manage such a wide variety of pathologies makes our training an incredible experience.”- Shilpa Singh