Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Program Overview
The Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at the Nemours Children’s Cardiac Center, in affiliation with Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), will equip you with a strong educational curriculum, extensive clinical experience and solid analytical tools. The program is designed to have you become a pediatric cardiologist who can function independently and with a high level of proficiency in the care of the fetus, neonate, infant, child and adolescent with congenital or acquired heart disease.
The Nemours Cardiac Center is particularly well-suited to offer this training given our multidisciplinary approach to patient care and research, wherein specialists from pediatric cardiology, pediatric critical care, pediatric cardiac anesthesia and congenital heart surgery work together as a fully integrated team.
- Curriculum
- Research & Training
- Salary & Benefits
- Location & Living
- Faculty & Participants
Our Fellowship Program
in our Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, you’ll receive increasing responsibilities and expectations during the three years of your fellowship, fulfilling the requirements established for board certification in pediatric cardiology by the American Board of Pediatrics. At the completion of three years, we expect you will graduate with outstanding clinical proficiency, a commitment to helping others with your skills, and the ability to function as an effective, exceptionally trained clinician, contributing meaningfully to the field of pediatric cardiology.
Our program gives you:
- An environment conducive to successful learning, scholarship, self-instruction, critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
- A strong foundation of clinical knowledge in pediatric cardiology through extensive exposure to normal and abnormal cardiovascular conditions, with specific focus on the pathophysiologic basis of congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease in the fetus, neonate, infant, child and adolescent.
- Proficiency in invasive and non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures necessary for optimal cardiac care in children.
- Training in interpersonal and administrative skills needed to work effectively as a team member in pediatric cardiac care.
Training Overview
- Fellows in this program should expect exposure to diverse clinical training. Fellows will also participate in research training and will have substantial research experiences in order to expand their skill set and knowledge base.
- No greater than 40% of the training is dedicated to clinical time while at minimum 60% of the training is dedicated to research.
- The fellow will interact with other subspecialty fellows through didactic lectures and research training courses.
- Fellows will have access to the Delaware Center for Translational Research/ACCEL program at Nemours, including the CTR’s mentoring and research education resources.
- Fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with members of our multidisciplinary clinical teams.
- Fellows will have access to professional development resources.
Details for 4th Year Advanced Cardiac Noninvasive Imaging Fellow Position
NOTE: Applications are being accepted for the 2027-2028 Advanced Imaging Fellowship position.
The successful candidate will be joining a strong team of trainees including first-year, second-year and third-year categorical fellows along with a combined PICU/Cardiology fellow.
The imaging fellowship position is a strong multifaceted program encompassing advanced cross-sectional imaging — CMR and CT, fetal echocardiography and advanced TTE imaging. The focus is on education, research that would cultivate advancement in technical skills, and maturation as an academic imager with ability to develop research and incorporate quality assessment and improvement across multimodality imaging applications.
The Nemours Advanced Imaging Fellowship Program will be using the San Francisco Match Program to fill our position for the 2026-2027 academic year. Please see application requirements below.
Echocardiography and Imaging Attendings
Shannon Nees, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist, Director, Cardiovascular Genetics Program; Co-Chair, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Scholarly Oversight Committee, Nemours Cardiac Center; Director, Advanced Cardiac Noninvasive Imaging Fellowship Program
Mark J. Cartoski, MD
Medical Director, Echocardiography Lab; Director, Cross-Sectional Imaging
Majeed Bhat, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist, Nemours Cardiac Center
Nikkan Das, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist
Grace Kong, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist
Richard Lorber, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist; Director, Fetal Heart Program
Deepika Thacker, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist, Medical Director, Inpatient Cardiology
Abbas Zaidi, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist, Medical Director, Outpatient Wilmington Cardiology Clinic, Nemours Cardiac Center
Application Requirements (for 4th Year Advanced Cardiac Noninvasive Imaging Fellow Position only)
- CAS Application:
a. Complete Personal Info form
b. Required Suplemental form (submission required) - CV
- Personal Statement
- USML/COMLEX/equivalent exam transcript
- Three (3) Letters of Reference*
- ECFMG (applicable to International Medical Graduates). Please note that our program can only consider applicants currently with a J1 visa.
*Consider including one letter from a categorical fellowship director and/or echo lab director at your institution.
Letter writers are required to complete the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Evaluation Form and submit it with the standard reference letter. Access the form. The URL will also be available on the requests sent to the letter writers.
Download: CAS Applicant Instructions
Question About Applying?
Erin Galbraith
Program Coordinator, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
erin.galbraith@nemours.org
Shannon Nees, MD
Director, Advanced Cardiac Noninvasive Imaging Fellowship Program
shannon.nees@nemours.org
Research Opportunities for Fellows
The Nemours Cardiac Center for Research and Innovation, led by Dr. Carissa Baker-Smith, supports all research efforts within the department. Our research priorities promote the “whole child’s health” and address the major threats to child well-being across the lifespan. Through our vast and growing access to large data networks, we leverage the power of big data to uncover the drivers of poor cardiovascular health and outcomes. We partner with other leading hospitals, research centers, and physicians nationwide to improve children's heart health through the design of novel, pragmatic interventions and clinical trials. Our robust clinical research program provides comprehensive training and support, including:
- Structured mentorship through a scholarly oversight committee to guide research project development, execution, and dissemination
- Access to a data science core and designated biostatistician to support study design, data analysis, and interpretation
- A research bootcamp providing training in regulatory requirements, study design, methodology, statistical fundamentals, and manuscript preparation
- Ongoing support for the preparation and submission of manuscripts, abstracts, and presentations at national scientific meetings
For more information, please visit Nemours Cardiac Center for Research & Innovation.
Recent publication can be viewed here Nemours Cardiac Center for Research and Innovation — Research output.
Salary & Benefits
Salary
- PGY 1: $80,809.50
- PGY 2: $83,831.03
- PGY 3: $86,975.48
- PGY 4: $90,244.94
- PGY 5: $93,643.63
- PGY 6: $97,179.95
- PGY 7: $100,857.05
- PGY 8: $104,682.29
Training at Nemours in Delaware Valley
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, sits on a scenic, 300-acre estate in Wilmington’s Brandywine Valley. It’s the largest pediatric training site in our system, big enough to offer nearly every specialty, yet close-knit enough that faculty know their learners well. From the start, you’ll notice a culture built on collaboration, mentorship, and curiosity.
Hospital & Training Environment
Most of your training takes place at our children’s hospital in Wilmington, a nationally recognized destination for complex pediatric care. It’s the state’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and home to a Level IV NICU, so you’ll see the full range of high-acuity cases. Families come from across the region, giving you exposure to diverse conditions and hands-on learning in a true referral hub. Take a video tour of the hospital now.
Along with Nemours, you may also spend time at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and other partner hospitals. These rotations bring variety in community pediatrics, rehabilitation care, and patient populations you won’t see every day in Wilmington.
Living in Wilmington & Delaware Valley
Wilmington is easy to settle into. It’s affordable, manageable in size, and just a short train ride from Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are also close by. Need fresh air? The Brandywine Valley has trails, rivers, and historic gardens. Want more energy? Philly has food, arts, and sports at a world-class level. Here, you get the best of both worlds.
Research Opportunities
Research is part of the program. Some trainees work in the lab, others join clinical trials, and many focus on quality improvement. Supported by faculty mentors and dedicated resources, trainees may also present at national meetings or publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Resident & Fellow Life
Training here isn’t only about rotations and research. It’s also about having the space and support to enjoy the journey.
Community & Culture | Colleagues quickly become friends. Alumni talk about the camaraderie, the sense that you’re part of something bigger, and the ease of finding mentors who genuinely care.
Wellness & Support | Wellness is built into the experience. From apps and peer networks to professional counseling, resources are there when you need them. There's also a free 24/7 gym on campus and regular wellness programming.
Everyday Perks | Free parking. Meals at noon conference. On-site child care center. Call rooms and quiet spaces when you need rest. These make a difference in the rhythm of daily training.
Unique Setting | As part of the Nemours Estate, you can step outside into beautiful gardens and expansive green space. Program-sponsored outings and social traditions add to the sense of balance and community.
Train With Recognized Leaders
If you’re looking for a rewarding program built on academic excellence and family-centered care, Nemours Children's offers outstanding medical, surgical, pharmacy, nursing, therapy and psychology programs. Train with faculty who are respected leaders in their fields, a patient care model that stands apart and access to groundbreaking research.
- Fellow Leadership
- Leadership & Faculty
- Participants & Alumni
Meet Our Clinical Fellow Leadership
Erica Del Grippo, DO
Pediatric Cardiologist; Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program; Medical Director Interstage and Single Ventricle Program
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
Joel D. Temple, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist; Director, Electrophysiology; Associate Chief, Cardiology; Associate Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
Sean Connolly, DO
Pediatric Cardiologist; Associate Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
Shannon Nees, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist; Program Director, Advanced Cardiac Noninvasive Imaging Fellowship Program; Director, Fetal Heart Program; Director, Cardiovascular Genetics Program; Associate Medical Director, Echocardiography Lab
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
Meet Our Program Faculty
-
Carissa M. Baker-Smith, MD, MPH
Cardiology Director, Preventive Cardiology Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Claude Anthony Beaty Jr., MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Site Director, Temple Thoracic Residency Program, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Abdul Majeed Bhat, MD
Cardiology Associate Professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Richard Owen Lorber, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Fetal Heart ProgramPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Michael Joseph Luceri, DO
Cardiology Director, Nemours Children’s OutreachPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Wolfgang A.K. Radtke, MD
Cardiology Director, Diagnostic and Interventional Catheterization Lab; Medical Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program; Medical Director, Adult Congenital Heart Clinic at ChristianaCarePrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Steven B. Ritz, MD
Cardiology Director, Resident and Medical Student Education; Director, Clinical Competency Committee Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Assistant ProfessorPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Bradley W. Robinson, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Aryaz Sheybani, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Heart Transplant ProgramPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Deepika Thacker, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Inpatient Cardiac Care Unit Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Takeshi Tsuda, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation & Fitness, Director, Cardio-Oncology Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Abbas Haider Zaidi, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Outpatient Cardiology Clinic Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE
Meet Our Participants
Elizabeth Flerlage, DO — PGY7
Advanced Imaging Fellow
Fellowship: Advocate Children's Hospital
Residency: Connecticut Children's / University of Connecticut
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matthew Theoharakis, MD — PGY 6
Pediatric Cardiology Fellow
Residency: NYP Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY
Medical School: Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY
Riya Kulkarni, DO — PGY 6
Pediatric Cardiology Fellow
Residency: Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopatic Medicine, Mesa, AZ
Sarina Zahid, MD — PGY 5
Pediatric Cardiology Fellow
Residency: University of Maryland Medical Center
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University
Jason Cooper, DO — PGY 5
Residency: UMass Chan-Baystate, Springfield, MA
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA
Cody Reiber, MD — PGY 5
Residency: New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Jacqueline Doyle, MD —PGY 4
Pediatric Cardiology Fellow
Residency: University of Maryland
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Alumni
- Joanna Nelson, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2025-2026
- Ann Goggins, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2023-2026
- Anastasia Barros, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2023-2026
- Christiane Mhanna, DO — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2021-2024
Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2024-2025 - Amber Molin, DO — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2024-2025
- Gina Patel, DO — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2022-2024
- Dana Barry, DO — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2021-2023
- Namrita Mozumdar, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2022-2023
- Danilo Tadeo, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2020-2023
- Daphney Kernizan, DO — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2018-2021 and Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2021-2022
- Priya Nigam, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2019-2022
- Jared Klein, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2020-2021
- Amr Matoq, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2017-2020
- Sruti Rao, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2019-2020
- Ashish Patel, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2018-2019
- Shashank Behere, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2015-2018
- Gunjan Banga, MD — Pediatric Cardiology Fellow, 2014-2017
Pediatric Cardiology Advanced Imaging Fellow, 2017-2018
Apply Today
Application Requirements for ACGME Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Deadline: July, 2026
Training Begins: July 2027
Currently Accepting Applications
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Personal statement
4. Medical school transcript
5. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) scores (all three levels) and/or COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) scores (all three levels)
6. Letters of Recommendation: Three Required
- We suggest letters from faculty members who can attest to your personal qualities that will make you a good fellow.
- Some suggestions include:
– A member of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at your residency training institution
– Residency director or program chair
– A professional of your choosing
– Research mentor
Questions About Applying?
Erica Del Grippo, DO
Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
erica.delgrippo@nemours.org
Sean Connolly, DO
Associate Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
sean.connolly@nemours.org
Erin Galbraith
Program Coordinator, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program
erin.galbraith@nemours.org