Home » Education » Fellowship Programs » Brodie Family Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program
Medical Education
Committed to Teaching Future Generations of Physicians for our Community
- Residency Programs
- Fellowship Programs
- Educational Courses and Events
- Life in Miami Beach
Mount Sinai Medical Center is the largest private, independent, non-profit teaching hospital in South Florida. Our 672-bed hospital provides care to a large local patient population throughout South Florida. Mount Sinai also serves as a referral center to international patients from the Caribbean and Central and South America. We are a three-year fellowship program that complies with all ACGME requirements and follows the guidelines and recommendations of the American College of Cardiology (COCATS). Fellows receive training and supervised experience in the evaluation and management of a wide variety of acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions. Clinical rotations, simulation, didactics, procedures, mentored research, and self-directed learning prepare our fellows to be outstanding physicians. All applications are accepted only through the ERAS system. Our program is directed by the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at MSMC.
Esteban Escolar, MD
Program Director, Brodie Family Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program
Teaching Philosophy
At Mount Sinai Medical Center, we stress the physician’s primary obligation to patient care and patient advocacy. Fellows accept progressive responsibility in an environment that is dedicated to their supervision and support.
Our program provides superior, “hands on” training for physicians who wish to become highly skilled clinical cardiologists as well as educators and investigators in cardiovascular disease.
Fellowship Management Team
Any active problems or issues are discussed, and plans for resolution and/or implementation are developed. A Clinical Competency Committee composed of select faculty members meets twice a year to review the progress of fellows and to identify any performance issues or unmet needs. Members include the Program Director, the Associate Program Director, the Program Coordinator, and core faculty teaching members.
House Staff Benefit
Fellows are provided with:
• Professional liability insurance
• Parking
• On-call room
• White lab coats
• Shared private offices, lounge with TV, refrigerator, and computer stations
• $2000 Educational Allowance
• 14 paid sick days
• 28 paid vacation days
• Long-term disability insurance
Fellows are eligible for:
• Health insurance for resident and dependents
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
Education and Teaching Conferences
We are dedicated to teaching comprehensive and compassionate cardiovascular care while developing a learning environment that facilitates the achievement of knowledge and life-long learning abilities and providing time, resources, and mentoring to develop research skills. Our cardiology fellows spend a minimum of 24 months in clinical training, in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. Fellows receive skillful training in electrocardiography, stress testing, echocardiography, electrophysiology, cardiac intensive care, nuclear cardiology, advanced cardiovascular imaging, and diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Also, fellows are strongly encouraged to contribute in scholarly activities that range from clinical, translational, or basic science research to case reports, book chapters, or national presentations. Numerous conferences are held on a continuing basis, including EKG conference, echo conference, and subspecialty conferences in electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, nuclear/imaging, and vascular medicine. Fellows attend the weekly Cardiology Grand Rounds lecture series in which national visiting speakers and MSMC faculty members provide presentations on important clinical subjects and clinically relevant research topics.
There are 6 fellows each year for a total of 18 fellows in the program. We are proud of our full ten year (maximum) accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
| Rotation | 1st Year | 2nd year | 3rd year |
| Consults | 5 | 1.5 | – |
CCU | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| EP | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Echo lab (TTE/TEE) | 2 | 3.5 | 2 |
| Stress test | 1 | 2 | – |
| CT/MRI/Nuclear | – | 1 | 1 |
| Cath | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Heart Failure (Columbia University) | – | 1 | 1 |
| Elective | – | – | 4 |
| Vacation | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Orientation | 1 | – | – |
| Total | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Ambulatory Experience
Division of Cardiology has an active outpatient clinic. The patient populations in these clinics provide a diverse experience in terms of gender, socioeconomic status and reason for referral. Routine management of common cardiology problems, pre-operative evaluations prior to noncardiac surgery, evaluations of potential revascularization procedures (surgical and interventional), post-revascularization follow-up, follow-up of recently discharged patients, and referrals for complex cardiology problems are similar in all venues. Each fellow is assigned to one half-day per week. Patients who require continued care are followed by the same fellow throughout his/her three-year training period.
Career Guidance
Our faculty members are leading experts within their field who are committed to mentoring Cardiology fellows. Our faculty provides fellows with access to unique clinical and research opportunities and guidance on career development.
Residency Management Team
Cardiology Fellowship Core Faculty
CHIEF, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF CARDIOLOGY AT MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
Gervasio Lamas, MD, FACC, FAHA, FESC
Chairman of Medicine
Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center
Co-Director, Mount Sinai Heart Institute
Medical School:New York University School of Medicine
Residency:Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School
Cardiology Fellowship:Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Esteban Escolar, MD, FACC
Director, Coronary Care Unit and Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic
Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
Medical School:Universidad de Buenos Aires
Residency:Washington Hospital Center – Georgetown University
Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension
ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Cesar A. Conde MD, FACC, FACP, FAHA
Director, Postgraduate Cardiovascular Education
Associate Director, Cardiology Fellowship Training Program
Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida
Clinical Professor of Cardiology
Miller School of Medicine
University of Miami
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
Medical School:Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
Residency:Henry Ford Hospital
Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- New York
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease
Olivia Mechanic, MD
Cardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center
Associate Director, Cardiology Fellowship Training Program
University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Residency: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
Fellowship: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
Nirat Beohar, MD
Vice Chief, Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center
Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Medical Director, Structural Heart Disease Program
Program Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program
Associate Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center
Medical School:Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi University
Residency:Baylor College of Medicine- Houston, TX
Cardiology Fellowship:George Washington University
Interventional Cardiology Fellowship:Northwesten /University Feinberg School of Medicine
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology
Alfonso Tolentino, MD, FACC
Vice Chair, Department of Medicine
Director, Electrocardiography Laboratory
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
Medical School:University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center- Philippines
Residency:Mercy Catholic Medical Center- Philadelphia
Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease
Todd Heimowitz, DO
Clinical & Interventional Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
Medical School:Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Interventional Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology
Christos Mihos, DO
Director of Echo Lab
Clinical Cardiologist
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
Medical School:Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Advanced Echocardiography Fellowship:Massachusetts General Hospital
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiology
Christian Koelbl, MD
Clinical & Interventional Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Columbia University
Medical School:Heidelberg University School of Medicine
Residency:Boston University Medical Center
Cardiology Fellowship:Boston University Medical Center
Interventional Cardiology Fellowship:Boston University Medical Center
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology
Rafle Fernandez, MD
Cardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at theColumbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Residency: Jackson Memorial Hospital/ University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Fellowship: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach
Mark Larralde, MDCardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at theColumbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
Fellowship: Cardiovascular Medicine, Howard University HospitalAdvanced Echocardiography, University of California San Francisco
Sofia Horvath, MD
Clinical and noninvasive cardiologist
Medical School:Universidad Central de Venezuela
Residency:Mount Sinai Medical Center
Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center
David Paniagua, MD
Medical School: University of Costa Rica
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center – Miami Beach
Cardiology Fellowship: Mount Sinai Medical Center – Miami Beach
Interventional Cardiology Fellowship: Texas heart Institute Baylor College of Medicine – Houston, Texas
Specialty: Cardiovascular Disease, Structural Heart Disease, Interventional Cardiology
Electrophysiologist Faculty
Raul Weiss, MD, FACC, FHRS, CCDS
Director of the Electrophysiology Service
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Medical School: Universidad Nacional de Tucuman
Residency: University of Southern California
Cardiology Fellowship: Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiology – University of Michigan Medical Center
Specialty: Cardiovascular Disease, Electrophysiology
Jose Torres, MD
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Medical School: Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador
Residency: Temple University
Cardiology Fellowship: Mount Sinai Medical Center
Specialty Cardiac Electrophysiology
Voluntary Faculty List
Hakop H.Hrachian, MD
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Medical School:Islamic Azad University
Residency:Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center- New York Medical College
Cardiology Fellowship:Mount Sinai Medical Center- Miami Beach
Electrophysiology Fellowship:Temple University Hospital, Temple University
Specialty:Cardiovascular Disease, Electrophysiology
Fellows
1st Year
Haytham A. Aboushi
Residency: SUNY Downstate Medical Center (Chief Resident)
Clinical Interest: Electrophysiology, Ventricular arrhythmias, Cardiac resynchronization therapy
Marissa Donatelle
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center
ClinicalInterest: Structural heart disease, Heart failure
Nischit Baral
Residency: McLaren Flint/Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
ClinicalInterest: Cardio-oncology, Immune therapy, Atherosclerosis
David Meister
Residency: Mount Sinai Morningside/West
Clinical Interest: Cardiovascular imaging, Pulmonary hypertension, Venous thromboembolism
Javier E. Arce
Residency: Detroit Medical Center/ Huron Valley Sinai Hospital
Fellowship: Advanced cardiac imaging at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Clinical interest: Cardiac imaging, Coronary artery disease.
Sri Mandava
Residency: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital(Chief Resident)
Clinical Interest: Interventional cardiology, Structural heart disease
2nd Year
Javier Arreaza
Residency: Mount Sinai Morningside/West
Clinical Interest: Cardiovascular imaging, Strain analysis
Reshma Golamari
Residency: Mercy Catholic Medical Center (Chief Resident)
ClinicalInterest: Advanced heart failure, Mechanical circulatory support
Mohammad Altujjar
Residency: Ascension Saint John Hospital
Clinical interest: Interventional cardiology, Peripheral endovascular intervention
Alexander Khodak
Residency: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell at North University Hospital/LIJ Medical Center
Chief Residency: Einstein Medical Center Montgomery
Clinical Interest: General Cardiology, Cardiovascular imaging
Hossam Alzu’bi
Residency: Michigan State University/Hurley Medical Center
Fellowship:Vascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
ClinicalInterest: Vascular medicine, Endovascular intervention
Mohammad Khatib
Residency: Creighton University-Phoenix (Chief Resident)
Clinical interest: Cardiovascular imaging, Role of multimodality imaging, valvular heart disease.
3rd Year
Malik Shehadeh (Chief Fellow)
Residency: Georgetown University/MedStar Washington Hospital Center
ClinicalInterest: Electrophysiology, Channelopathy, Device development and programming
Francisco Ujueta (Chief Fellow)
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center
ClinicalInterest: Vascular Medicine, Peripheral arterial disease, Environmental cardiology
Amre Ghazzal
Residency: Georgetown University/MedStar Washington Hospital Center
ClinicalInterest: Interventional Cardiology, Mechanical circulatory support and shock management
Medeona Gjergjindreaj
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center
ClinicalInterest: Structural heart disease, Sports cardiology
Selin Sendil
Residency: University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC)
ClinicalInterest: Interventional cardiology, Xenotransplantation
Priyanka Parajuli
Residency: Southern Illinois University
ClinicalInterest: Interventional cardiology, Preventive cardiology
General
Sixpositions are offered at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program each year.
Mount Sinai Medical Center participates and accepts applications only through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service). In addition, your application will only be considered if you are enrolled in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). You must contact your medical school for delivery of your application, transcripts, Dean’s letter and faculty recommendations to our program via the internet.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING THROUGH ERAS IS AUGUST 31.
NRMP#: #1105141F0
Program ID#: #1411112076
Required Documents for Application
The following supporting documents should be submitted via the ERAS program:
- ERAS Application
- Official Medical School Transcript
- USMLE Transcripts (at least Steps 1&2) and if applicable, ECFMG status report
- Personal Statement
- Three (3) letters of recommendation, including one from your internal medicine program director.
Information for applicants on a Visa:
- J-1 Visas will be sponsored for applicants who are accepted into the program. Foreign medical graduates will need to have completed an ACGME-approved residency program in Internal Medicine in the United States prior to beginning our program. -We are not able to sponsor or accept H-1 or O-1 visas. We will not convert H visas to J visas for individual candidates.
- Your visa status must be certain at the time of application.
Interview Process
Upon receipt of the completed application, our selection committee will review all materials. Invitations for interviews will be offered via e-mail from Ceasar Rivera, Program Coordinator. Selected applicants are interviewed in the month of September. Inquiries may be directed to Ceasar Rivera, Program Coordinator, via e-mail, Ceasar.Rivera@msmc.com, or by phone at 305-674-2251.
MSMC Graduates
2023 Graduates
Karthik Vedantam: Interventional cardiology fellowship- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Christian Torres: Interventional cardiology fellowship- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Julio Grajeda: Private practice- Miami, FL
Matthew Lozier: Clinical cardiologist- University of South Florida
Ricardo De La Villa: Private practice- Miami, FL
Hernando Torres-Ortiz: Clinical cardiologist- Mount Sinai Medical Center
2022 Graduates
Priscilla Wessly: Advanced imaging fellowship- Houston Methodist Hospital
Garly Saint Croix: Interventional cardiology fellowship- Montefiore Medical Center
Tarec Elajami: Clinical cardiologist- MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center
Jorge Perez: Private practice- Miami, FL
2021 Graduates
Syed Zaidi: Advanced imaging fellowship- University of South Florida
John Lee: Electrophysiology fellowship- Ohio State University
Sarah Guigui: Clinical cardiologist- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Benjamin Hurwitz: Private practice- Miami, FL
2020 Graduates
Denisse Diaz: Clinical cardiologist- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Saberio Lo Presti: Advanced imaging fellowship- Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Juan Vinardell: Interventional cardiology fellowship- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Jody Ritter: Clinical cardiologist- Memorial Healthcare System
2019 Graduates
Carlos Podesta Ornes: Interventional cardiology fellowship- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Rafle Fernandez: Clinical cardiologist- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Nafees Mohammed: Interventional cardiology fellowship- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Ahmed Zedan: Electrophysiology fellowship- UTHealth Houston
2018 Graduates
Sofia Horvath: Clinical cardiologist- Mount Sinai Medical Center
Sabry Omar: Interventional cardiology fellowship- University at Buffalo
Miguel Benavides: Private practice- Miami, FL
Omar Issa: Sports cardiology- Massachusetts General Hospital
More About Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai MEDICAL CENTER
Mount Sinai in the Media
Review the latest health news and updates from across the medical center.
Read More
Mount Sinai MEDICAL CENTER
Our Blogs
Hear from our physicians and surgeons about medical topics that matter to you.
Read More
MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
Awards and Recognition
Read about our well-deserved reputation for the highest quality of care.
Read More
MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
Building for the Future
Learn more about the Irma and Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center, scheduled to open in 2025.
Read More
