Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship Program | Department of Internal Medicine | UC Davis Health

Fellowship Programs

Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship Program

Our division was established in 1967. Since that time, its programs have been nationally recognized for their excellence in patient care, medical education, basic and clinical research, and service to the community. The mission statement of the division closely reflects that of UC Davis Health.

Watch Videovideo iconCardio fellows discuss their experiences.
Thomas Smith, M.D., Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

The Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program consists of three (3) years of training during which 24 months are dedicated to basic clinical training. Two hospitals participate in this program: UC Davis Health and the VA Northern California Health Care System (VA NCHS). The training program offers advanced training in clinical cardiology (nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization/angioplasty, electrophysiology, heart failure/transplantation) as well as academic research training. The organization of the training program is flexible, and may be tailored to individual fellows’ goals and interests. It is the intent of the fellowship administration to individualize training within ACGME and ACC/AHA guidelines to optimize each fellow’s opportunities for a career in cardiology.

  • Cardiac intensive care, inpatient ward, and consultative cardiology
  • Ambulatory cardiology practice in out-patient clinics
  • Non-invasive cardiology including stress testing, nuclear scintigraphy, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, stress echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, echo myocardial perfusion, intracardiac echo, and intravascular ultrasound
  • Invasive cardiology including cardiac catheterization, intra-aortic balloon pumps, TAVR, MitraClip, as well as exposure to angioplasty, atherectomy, valvuloplasty, and intracoronary ultrasound and doppler
  • Electrophysiology, including permanent pacemakers, radio frequency ablation, automatic implantable cardiac defibrillators, resynchronization, and atrial fibrillation ablation
Watch Videovideo iconFormer Cardiovascular Medicine Fellows
Former Cardiovascular Medicine fellows talk about their experiences.

Fellows are required to rotate maintain a regular outpatient clinic two (2) half-days per week at UC Davis Health and at VA Northern California Health Care System (VA) throughout entire three (3) year training period.

SERVICE

YEAR

MONTHS

Coronary Care Unit

1
2
3
2-3
2
2

Consultation

1
2
3
1-2
1-2
1

Catheterization Lab

1
2
3
2
1-2
1-2

Electrophysiology

1
2
3
≤1
2
1-2

Echocardiography

1
2
3
3
2
1-2

Nuc/CT/MRI

1
2
3
1
1
1-2

Research or Electives

1
2
3
1
2
3

VA Continuity Clinic

1
2
3
1
1-2
1-2

Research

All fellows must complete a research project during the course of their fellowship, and must identify a clinical subspecialty or research area that becomes their primary focus after initial clinical training. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, fellows will choose their research project, which may include clinical or basic research. The fellow and mentor conceptualize the project during the first year of fellowship. Fellows are encouraged to present research results at local research conferences and national meetings and submit manuscripts for publication. For more information, visit the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI).

Education

Educational conferences are held on a regular basis:

  • Monday – Cardiology Clinical, Conference Series, Journal Club
  • Tuesday – EKG/Cath Case Conference 
  • Wednesday – Fellows Community Conference 
  • Thursday – Electrophysiology Conference
  • Friday – Cardiology, Interventional Conference Grand Rounds

1st Year Fellows

Anthony Khong, M.D.
Anthony Khong, M.D.
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency: UC Davis Medical Center
James Matthew, Deen, M.D.
James Matthew, Deen, M.D.
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Justin Devera, M.D.
Justin Devera, M.D.
Medical School: University of California, Irvine
Residency: University of Southern California/LAC+USC Medical Center
Vijay Agusala, M.D.
Vijay Agusala, M.D.
Medical School: University of Texas Southwest Medical School at Dallas
Residency: University of Texas Southwest Medical Center
William Leon, M.D.
William Leon, M.D.
Medical School: UC Riverside School of Medicine
Residency: UC Davis Medical Center

2nd Year Fellows

Garrett Cohen, M.D.
Garrett Cohen, M.D. 
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 
Residency: University of California, Irvine
Neal Dixit, M.D. 
Neal Dixit, M.D. 
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine 
Residency: Health Systems Pathway, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Ramon Lee, M.D.
Ramon Lee, M.D.
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Residency: LAC+USC Medical Center
Roshni Khatiwala, M.D.
Roshni Khatiwala, M.D.
Medical School: Albany Medicial College
Residency: UC Davis Medical Center
Shahad Al Chalaby, M.D.
Shahad Al Chalaby, M.D.
Medical School: University of Baghdad College of Medicine
Residency: Alameda Health System

3rd Year Fellows

Andrea Soares, M.D.
Andrea Soares, M.D.
Medical School: Washington University School of Medicine
Residency: Barnes Jewish Hospital/ Washington University
Edward Chau, M.D.
Edward Chau, M.D.
Medical School: University of Southern California
Residency: LAC USC Medical Center
Gordon Wong, M.D.
Gordon Wong, M.D.
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency: UC Davis Medical Center
Nipun Bhandar,i M.D.
Nipun Bhandar,i M.D.
Medical School: University of Southern California
Residency: NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Class of 2022

  • Christopher Chen, M.D. Attending Cardiologist John Muir Medical Group Concord, CA
  • Hee Kong Fong, M.D. Interventional Fellowship American Heart Institute Kansas City, MO
  • Bashaer Gheyath Advanced Imaging Fellowship Cedars Senai Los Angeles, CA
  • Tai Pham Interventional Fellowship UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA

Class of 2021

  • Maia Eng, M.D. Cardiac Imaging Fellow UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA
  • William Wung, M.D. Faculty Member Sutter Health Sacramento, CA
  • Stephen Wall, M.D. Faculty Member Private Practice Portland, OR
  • Pankaj Malhotra, M.D. Cardiac Imaging Fellow Cedars Sinai Los Angeles, CA

Class of 2020

  • Neil Beri, M.D. Electrophysiology Fellow UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA
  • Lily Chen, M.D. Interventional Fellow UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA
  • Amir Farid, M.D. Attending Cardiologist Kingman Medical Center Kingman, AZ
  • Moosa Haider, M.D. Interventional Fellow Northwell Health Manhasset, NY

Class of 2019

  • Kwame Atsina, M.D. Cardiac Imaging Fellow UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA
  • Aaron Schelegle, M.D. Structural Heart Fellow UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA
  • Richard Shelton, M.D. Attending Cardiologist Cedars Sinai Los Angeles, CA
  • Ron Wexler, M.D. Attending Cardiologist John Muir Health Walnut Creek, CA

Class of 2018

  • Edris Aman, M.D. Attending Cardiologist UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA
  • Matthew Glassy, M.D. Attending Cardiologist Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park, CA
  • John Javien, M.D. Private Practice Providence Torrance, CA
  • Bradley Stauber, D.O. Private Practice Capitol Heart Center Carmichael, CA

Class of 2017

  • Jeong Choi, M.D. Cardiac Imaging Fellow Penn Medicine Philadelphia, PA
  • Ravinder Khalon, M.D., M.S. Structural Heart Fellow Swedish Medical Center Seattle, WA
  • Guarav Sharma, M.D. Attending Cardiologist Rochester Regional Health Rochester, NY
  • Benjamin Stripe, M.D. Attending Cardiologist UC Davis Health Sacramento, CA

At UC Davis Health, health and wellness is critical to the professional development of our fellows. As front line physician providers in our health system their wellbeing and ability to find joy and meaning in their work is a priority equal to their technical training and education. Our patients depend on them to be at their best daily to deliver the compassionate, high-quality care they are capable of providing. The Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) Wellness exists to provide trainees and their families with the support and resources needed to protect their well-being and mental health.

In addition, the Office of GME Wellness offers group facilitation and interventions. Examples include:

  • Managing Burnout and Promoting Resilience
  • Mindfulness
  • Mental Health Concerns During the Training Process
  • Impostor Syndrome
  • Navigating Personal Relationships in the Context of High Stress Training
  • How to Foster Healthy Communication in the Medical Milieu

UC Davis Health is a diverse community comprised of individuals having many perspectives and identities. We come from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences, with distinct needs and goals. We recognize that to create an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community, we must understand and value both our individual differences and our common ground. The UC Davis Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that embodies this commitment, and reflects the ideals we seek to uphold.

  • Create, promote and foster an organization that values development, diversity and growth opportunities for all employees
  • Provide enhanced knowledge, skills and tools to respond and engage in a culturally sensitive and respectful mannerism with patients, visitors and our community as a whole
  • Provide quality training designed to increase individual and institutional engagement, increased morale, productivity and enrichment.

Check out our Diversity and Inclusion Dialogue Series

This ongoing dialogue series provides an opportunity for UC Davis Health employees and the community to discuss critical topics concerning race, culture, gender, stereotypes, diversity, and multiculturalism in a safe, caring and professional environment

Salary – Fellows are offered competitive salaries, including health/dental/vision/life insurance, disability insurance, professional liability insurance, and retirement benefits.

Education Stipend – Fellows will receive $1,000 education stipend which can be used for educational travel, textbooks, and other similar supplies.

Meal Cards – Fellows are provided with a stipend commiserate with call obligations for purchasing meals at the UC Davis Health Pavilion Café and other UC Davis Health café locations.

Recreational Facilities – Fellows have access to housestaff recreational facilities at UC Davis Health including well-equipped gym, computer, and sleep facilities.

Leave Policy – Fellows receive four weeks of paid vacation each year. Leaves are scheduled in advance to allow for cancellation of continuity clinics and appropriate coverage. Additional leaves for illness, family or medical emergencies, maternity/paternity, etc. may be granted with approval as per UC Davis Health Graduate Medical Education policies.

The UC Davis Health Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program accepts four (4) first-year fellows each year to start on July 15. Applications are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Applications Service (ERAS).

Our three (3) year program participates in filling each position through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Please visit the NRMP for information on how to sign up for their services.

Application Deadlines

  • August 15 – Deadline for submission of application and required documentation
  • September – All interviews will be conducted virtually via WebEx
  • November – Rank Order List submitted to Nation Resident Matching Program
  • December – Match Announcements
  • July 15 – Fellowship Begins

For full consideration, please submit your application and supporting materials by August 15.

Application Requirements

  • Application via ERAS
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (one from current program director)

Requirements

  • Completion of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited Internal Medicine Residency
  • Completion and passing of Step 1 and 2 of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
  • The accepted applicant must be able to obtain a California Medical License (Postgraduate Training License or Physician’s and Surgeon’s License)
  • A valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate for all foreign medical graduates
  • Only J-1 visas accepted

Contact us if you have any questions

Program Leadership

To Heal, to Teach, to Discover and to Serve

Patient care: To provide access to the latest advances in cardiovascular medicine and consistently deliver high- quality care with competence, respect, dignity and compassion.

Education: To provide current and future health care professionals with the knowledge and skills in cardiovascular medicine to provide exemplary patient care and to foster and support continued learning throughout their careers.

Research: To advance the understanding of cardiovascular medicine through basic and applied research and translation of these discoveries into effective approaches to disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Service: To provide leadership and promote collaborative relationships with the public and private sectors to build a healthier community and region, with particular regard to cardiovascular medicine.

Connect With Us!

Contact Fellowship Program

916-734-3764
cardiofellow@ucdavis.edu