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ӰԺ Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship

The pediatric cardiology fellowship within the Herma Heart Institute (HHI) provides superior training in one of the nation's largest pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery and cardiovascular research centers.

Our objective is to prepare fellows for careers within academic or non-academic pediatric cardiology. Pediatric cardiology training will focus on excellence in clinical skills, understanding of hemodynamics and pathophysiology and an appreciation for natural history. It is a goal of the fellowship to give trainees exposure to all aspects of cardiology while providing an appropriate balance of autonomy and advanced learning with our clinicians. Three years of training is required for the sub-board of pediatric cardiology and a fourth year of advanced clinical/research training is available at our center.

Fellowship Tour

See the people, spaces and places that make our Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship so special.

As a fellow, you will...

  • Gain exposure to all subspecialties within pediatric cardiology
  • Obtain the essential clinical and technical skills to be a successful cardiologist
  • Receive focused training and mentorship on research

About Our Fellowship Program

Learn more about our 3-year ACGME accredited fellowship.
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Program Overview

The pediatric cardiology fellowship within the Herma Heart Institute (HHI) provides superior training in one of the nation's largest pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery and cardiovascular research centers.

Our objective is to prepare fellows for careers within academic or non-academic pediatric cardiology. Pediatric cardiology training will focus on excellence in clinical skills, understanding of hemodynamics and pathophysiology and an appreciation for natural history. It is a goal of the fellowship to give trainees exposure to all aspects of cardiology while providing an appropriate balance of autonomy and advanced learning with our clinicians. Three years of training is required for the sub-board of pediatric cardiology and a fourth year of advanced clinical/research training is available at our center.

Clinical Training

Clinical Rotations

Echo/Advance Imaging rotations:  

  •  Attend pediatric cardiology conferences and teaching sessions.
  •  Attend daily echo review session of the previous day's studies with echo attending.  
  • Participate in TEE intraoperative and interventional studies as a senior fellow.  
  • Observe and perform routine transthoracic echo studies on inpatients and outpatients with echo technical staff.  
  • Write preliminary reports on all studies performed by the fellow.  
  • Review all echo studies to be shown at conference and present them. 
  • Participate in the planning, acquisition of, and reporting of advanced imaging studies including fetal echocardiography, three-dimensional echocardiography, and both cardiac MRI and cardiac CT.

Cardiac Catheterization rotation:

  • Attend pediatric cardiology conferences and teaching sessions. 
  • Perform H&P on all cardiac cath patients prior to the procedure. 
  • Participate in all cardiac cath procedures. 
  • Complete post-cath orders on patients following cath. 
  • Admit and write follow-up notes on all post cath interventional patients. 
  • Complete diagrams and hemodynamics on all cath patients and dictate the procedure. 
  • Review all cath studies to be shown at conferences and present them.  

 Inpatient Services/ICU/Consultation rotation: 

  • Attend pediatric cardiology conferences and teaching sessions.  
  • Attend daily ICU and intermediate care rounds on cardiology and cardiovascular surgery patients.
  • Serve as primary provider for CICU patients while rotating in the CICU   
  • Perform H&P on patients admitted to cardiology and cardiovascular surgery service.  
  • Write daily notes on all ICU cardiology and cardiovascular surgery patients.  
  • Perform all inpatient consults in the hospital.  
  • Participate in all patient interventions performed in the ICU.  
  • Review all inpatient histories to be discussed at conferences and present them.  

EP/Adult Congenital Heart Disease/Transplant/Heart Failure/Pulmonary Hypertension: 

  • Attend pediatric cardiology conferences and teaching sessions.  
  • Perform H&P on all EP patients prior to the procedure.  
  • Participate in all EP procedures.    
  • Admit and write F/U notes on all post EP interventional patients.  
  • Review electrophysiology tracings on all EP patients and dictate the procedure.  
  • Read all non-clinic inpatient and outpatient ECG's and Holters.  
  • Attend all pacemaker clinics.  
  • Attend all adult congenital heart disease clinics.  
  • Attend all transplant and heart failure clinics.
  • Attend all PH clinics
  • Perform inpatient consultations for EP/ACHD/PH/HF/Transplant patients.
Research Training
During fellowship you will be expected to design, implement, and complete original research investigations.  Opportunities in basic science, translational, and clinical research are all available and we have a scholarly oversight program which will help ensure project completion. Our fellows also have the opportunity to work in quality improvement studies within the HHI and Children’s Wisconsin.
Curriculum

Length of Training
The fellowship is designed for three years of training with an option of applying for a fourth year of training. 

Qualifications and recruitment of trainees 
Fellow applicants will be required to have a medical degree and have completed a pediatric residency in a US-accredited training program. The program participates in the NRMP pediatric cardiology match program.

Content of Training 
Throughout subspecialty training, the fellow will receive extensive, focused training in all aspects of clinical pediatric cardiology. The fellow will have 2 rotations during the first year that will provide an introduction to investigative research where they will have an opportunity to interact with research mentors and begin to develop a program of investigative study with that mentor. 10 additional months of research will be provided over the remainder of fellowship to further establish a program of investigative research.

Rotation Schedule 
Each rotation is one month with 24 total clinical months and 12 total research months. 

Year 1 

  • Echo/Noninvasive Imaging (3 rotations)
  • Cardiac Catheterization (1 rotation)
  • Inpatient Service (CICU/Consult) (4 rotations)
  • Electrophysiology (1 rotation)
  • Research (2 rotations)
  • Heart Failure/Transplant (1 rotation)

Year 2

  • Advanced Imaging (1 rotation)
  • Cardiac Catheterization (1 rotation split into 2 week blocks)
  • Inpatient Service (CICU/Consult) (2 rotations)
  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease (1 rotation)
  • Pulmonary Hypertension (0.5 rotation)
  • Elective (1.5 rotation)
  • Research (4 rotations)
  • CIN-Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interstage Team, Neurodevelopmental Clinic (1 rotation)

Year 3

  • Cardiac Catheterization (1 rotation split into 2 week blocks)
  • Inpatient Service (CICU/Consult) (2 rotations)
  • EP (1 rotation)
  • Elective (2 rotations)
  • Research (6 rotations)

Call
In-house call is required seven days a week. Monday through Friday, senior fellows provide back-up call. 

Pediatric Joint Fellowship Curriculum
The Joint Fellowship Curriculum (JFC) at the ӰԺ is a series of longitudinal educational experiences designed to cover topics required for all pediatric fellows. While specialty-specific education is covered within each section, the JFC endeavors to cover the remainder of topics that are common to all fellowship trainees. Fellows not only gain insight on these topics from campus-wide experts, but also do so in a collaborative learning environment with their same level fellow peers from across the pediatric enterprise. 

Learn more about our curriculum

Fourth Year Fellowship Opportunities

Pediatric Fourth Year Non-Invasive Imaging Fellowship
In conjunction with the ӰԺ, a fourth year of non-invasive imaging training within the Herma Heart Institute at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is available.

Fourth year imaging fellows will gain experience working alongside our experts in transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, three-dimensional echocardiography, fetal echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI. Our busy imaging group performs and interprets nearly 11,000 echocardiograms, 600 cardiac MRI’s, and 150 cardiac CT scans per year. These studies are performed at the main campus as well as at our satellite campuses around the Milwaukee area.

We have one funded position yearly for a qualified applicant. Our imaging training focuses on performing and interpreting the core non-invasive imaging modalities in assessing congenital and acquired heart disease in all age ranges, from the fetus to the adult with congenital heart disease. We also offer the opportunity to tailor your training towards your career interests. Importantly there is the expectation and opportunity for our fellows to participate in imaging research as well as teaching of the core pediatric cardiology fellows, residents, and medical students.

How to Apply
Our program will be considering both internal and external applicants who apply through the “Pediatric Advance Cardiac Imaging” match program through . Our program has 1 defined general imaging track. SF Match includes a central application and all necessary support documents should be submitted as instructed through the match program.

Ben Goot, MD
FASE 4th year Non-Invasive Imaging Fellowship Program Director
bgoot@childrenswi.org

Adult Congenital Subspecialty Fellowship
In conjunction with the ӰԺ (ӰԺ), a two year ACGME accredited subspecialty fellowship in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) is offered through the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin.

The goals of this subspecialty fellowship training program in ACHD are to provide the fellow with extensive, focused training in the entire spectrum of ACHD patients so that the fellow can establish an advanced clinical or academic career in ACHD. The fellow will specifically gain experience in the following realms of ACHD care: medical and surgical management, postoperative care; invasive and noninvasive diagnostic testing; management of acquired cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disease; psychosocial aspects of transitioning from adolescence into adulthood in adolescents with CHD; health promotion in adults; anatomy, morphology and pathophysiology of CHD; and research.

This training program takes place at both Children's Wisconsin and the ӰԺ affiliated adult hospital, Froedtert Hospital, which is on the same campus as Children's. Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in inpatient rounds and diagnostic testing at both hospitals. Outpatient clinic is primarily based at Children's. Elective rotations can be done at either hospital, however, those fellows with an adult training background will have the majority of elective time at Children's, and those with a pediatric cardiology training background will the majority of elective time at Froedtert Hospital. The fellow will be expected to participate in ACHD research, as well as, take an active role in teaching adult and pediatric cardiology fellows, residents and medical students.

How to Apply
Interested applicants should have completed a three year ACGME accredited adult cardiology or pediatric cardiology fellowship program prior to appointment. Our program will now be using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for this upcoming application cycle (the July 2019 application cycle for a July 2020 fellowship start). Application requirements will include: ERAS application, 3 letters of recommendation (1 from the current program director), and a Curriculum Vitae. Please contact the program director, Scott Cohen, MD (scohen@childrenswi.org) or the program’s administer, Orlando Diaz (odiaz@mcw.edu) for more information.

A Day in the Life of Fellow
  • Most fellows usually arrive at 7 a.m.
  • Morning teaching conference
  • Echocardiogram teaching review session with senior imaging faculty
  • Teaching rounds with multidisciplinary provider teams on patients in various clinical settings, including the cardiac ICU, pediatric ICU, neonatal ICU, and acute care floors
  • Provide cardiology consultation throughout a busy free-standing children’s hospital
  • Read pediatric ECGs and review telemetry
  • Participate in teaching activities with medical student and residents
  • Services start to sign out at 4pm and the on-call fellow takes responsibility for all cardiology patients by 5pm
  • There is always one fellow on call in house, covering all the cardiology patients in the hospital 
  • Weekend call is split evenly among the fellows and usually results in each fellow working one weekend per month
Our Faculty
Our talented and experienced faculty are excited to work with you throughout your fellowship!

Our Institutions

About the ӰԺ
With a history dating back to 1893, the is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in ӰԺ’s medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Central Wisconsin. ӰԺ’s School of Pharmacy opened in 2017. A major national research center, ӰԺ is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In the last ten years, faculty received more than $1.5 billion in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, ӰԺ faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,100 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,600 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 4.0 million patients annually.

About Children’s Wisconsin
is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is ranked in nine specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-20 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children’s provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2019, Children’s invested more than $130 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Diversity and Inclusion

At ӰԺ and within the Department of Pediatrics, we have several programs and resources focused on fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Our departmental and institutional focus is confronting negative perceptions and welcoming our community. Below is just a sampling of the efforts across our institutions to embed the principles of diversity and inclusion into our culture.

  • DOP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council | Our Diversity Council, led by Dr. Mike Levas, the DOP Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, and comprised of faculty, staff, administration, and trainees, is focused on connecting with partners across our system and within the community to ensure the DOP is a diverse, equitable and inclusive employer.
  • DOP Fellowship and Residency Diversity and Inclusion Committees | In a city filled with its own diversity and rich cultural history, our fellows and residents recognize the importance of addressing diversity, health equity, and inclusion within our programs. As such, the program is proud to recognize the presence and work of its Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
  • DOP Unconscious Bias Training | The AAMC has partnered with Cook Ross, Inc., a leading consulting firm, to create training focused on the science behind unconscious bias to help academic medical staff and faculty mitigate disparities. Seven members of our team have earned a certification as unconscious bias trainers through Cook Ross. These trainers have translated what they’ve learned into a two-hour training for our faculty and staff. By learning how to identify and confront unconscious bias, it is possible to mitigate the impact and promote respect for all groups.
  • Trauma-Informed Workplace Training | This committee has undertaken actions including a department-wide survey and the creation of four online training modules sharing the principles of trauma-informed approach and how to recognize signs and symptoms of trauma in ourselves and others. This group started as part of Fostering Futures, a state-wide initiative aimed at infusing a trauma-informed approach into all the systems and organizations that touch the lives of Wisconsin citizens with the goal of expanding across the state to make Wisconsin the first trauma-informed state in the nation.
  • Office of Diversity and Inclusion | Established in March 2016, the ӰԺ Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) partners within ӰԺ and with community partners to foster and drive inclusion excellence as an effective, empowering enabler of ӰԺ mission and strategic goals.
  • Spring Festival of Cultures | The annual Spring Festival of Cultures encourages an increased awareness and celebration of the visible and non-visible identities among our ӰԺ community. This three-day event is an opportunity to promote the fostering of diversity, inclusion and unity at ӰԺ.
  • President’s Diversity and Inclusion Award | ӰԺ’s President's Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes the accomplishments of faculty, staff, students, residents, trainees, and community members in contributing to diversity and inclusion through exemplary leadership.
  • Institute of Health and Equity | The Institute for Health & Equity is focused on researching the root causes of health disparities in our communities, and advancing the best ideas to foster health equity throughout the world. We target populations with abnormally high rates of disease and injury – urban and rural alike – and then we find out why. Partnering with community health collaborators who live and work closest to the most vulnerable populations, we are making an impact on reducing those disparities, one community at a time.
  • GMF-ӰԺ Partnership | Through their overall partnership, ӰԺ and GMF will bring complementary expertise on a range of strategies to invest in the health, equity and economic well-being of people across Milwaukee, beginning with the neighborhoods adjacent to the new development. Guided by community priorities and data, the GMF-ӰԺ Partnership will be a catalyst for additional investment and community impact. Together, the partners will:
    • Engage resident and community partnerships
    • Improve social determinants of health
    • Catalyze change that leverages resources and investment

Learn about ӰԺ's Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Living and Learning in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets and a prime location for the ӰԺ’s main campus. A one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the many cafés, beer gardens or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why ӰԺ students, faculty and employees take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

Learn more about housing and rental options.

Learn more about Milwaukee

Application Process and Visa Information

Our 3-year fellowship program is ACGME accredited and begins on July 1 each year. We accept three fellows each year through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants must have completed a US-accredited residency program. Applications from prospective applicants are accepted from July through October via the . We will access your application and contact you to make interview arrangements.

Complete applications should include the following:

  • ERAS application form
  • At least 3 letters of reference including Program Director letter
  • Medical Student Performance Evaluation/Dean's Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal statement
  • MD Applicants: USMLE scores - Steps 1, 2, and 3 or
  • DO Applicants: COMLEX scores – Levels 1, 2 and 3
  • ECFMG certificate for foreign medical school graduates (see visa information below)

Our program currently accepts the following visas:

  • Permanent Resident Visa
  • Visitor Exchange Visa sponsored by ECFMG (J-1)
  • For additional visa information please visit ӰԺ’s office of Graduate Medical Education.

Terms Conditions and Benefits

Fellows are employed by the ӰԺ Affiliated Hospitals (ӰԺAH).

See ӰԺAH Benefits, Conditions & Terms of Employment for information regarding vacations, leaves, insurance, stipends and professional liability.

Visit ӰԺAH

Training at Children’s Wisconsin exposes fellows to the entire breadth and depth of pediatric cardiology in a well-established, clinically strong program. The faculty are very invested in fellow education and take pride in creating graduates well-equipped to be an excellent pediatric cardiologists.”

A former fellow

First Year Fellows

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Meaghan Boeker, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Green Bay, WI; Undergraduate: St. Olaf College; Medical School: ӰԺ; Residency: ӰԺ

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Zoe McLoughlin, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Humboldt, IA; Undergraduate: Iowa State University; Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Residency: Children’s Mercy Kansas City

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Katie Stapleton, DO

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Bloomington, IL; Undergraduate: Illinois Wesleyan University; Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; Residency: University of Illinois College of Medicine-Peoria

Second Year Fellows

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David Bergstrand, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN; Undergraduate: Augsburg University; Medical School: University of Minnesota; Residency: University of Wisconsin

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Lorna Lastovich, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Blaine, MN; Undergraduate: Saint John's University; Medical School: New York Medical College; Residency: Cohen Children’s Medical Center

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Megha Patel, DO

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Marshfield, WI; Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison; Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Residency: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Third Year Fellows

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Ashlee Graham, DO

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA; Undergraduate: University of Northern Iowa; Medical School: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; Residency: University of Iowa

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Cassie Mejia, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Pueblo, CO/ Franksville, WI; Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; Medical School: ӰԺ; Residency: ӰԺ

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Christopher Scott, MD

Pediatric Cardiology Fellow

Hometown: Brookfield, WI; Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison; Medical School: University of Wisconsin; Residency: ӰԺ

Advanced Imaging Fellow

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Megan Simpson, DO

Pediatric Advanced Imaging Fellow

Hometown: Glencoe, IL; Undergraduate: American University; Medical School: Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine; Residency: Emory University; Fellowship: Emory University

Meet Our Team

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Anoop K. Singh, MB BCh

Associate Professor; Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program

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Kasey J. Chaszczewski, MD

Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program

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Michaline Zanon

Administrative Assistant Sr., Fellowship Program; EKG Dept Associate

Contact Us

Anoop K. Singh, MB BCh

Cardiology Fellowship Program Director

asingh@childrenswi.org
(414) 266-2448

Kasey Chaszczewski, MD

Associate Fellowship Program Director