Paediatric Cardiology Subspecialty Fellowship Program

Funded Cardiac MRI positions are available every two years beginning July 2025 onwards.

Subspecialty Highlights:

• Collaborative environment between cardiology and radiology 
• 1 dedicated cardiac MRI system co-located with a catheterization suite 
• 750-800 annual cardiac MRIs 
• 3 dedicated cardiac MRI technologists 

Fellowship Highlights:

• 3 fellows per year (cardiology & radiology combined) 
• Full training in MRI scanning/image acquisition, post-processing, and reporting 
• Dedicated cardiac MRI teaching rounds 
• Clinical case presentation at multidisciplinary surgical conference 
• Formal teaching opportunities to cardiology and radiology trainees 
• Expected research requirement with ample interdisciplinary collaborative opportunities 
• Protected academic time 
• No on-call responsibilities 

Staff:

Dr. Israel Valverde (Section Head, Cardiac MRI)
Dr. Christopher Lam 
Dr. Mike Seed (Division Head, Cardiology)
Dr. Shi-Joon Yoo

We offer a one-year subspecialty fellowship in advanced echocardiography. This fellowship is immersive in all aspects of clinical echocardiography. The echocardiography laboratory at SickKids performs 15,000 Transthoracic and 500 transesophageal echocardiograms each year.

Fellowship Highlights:

• Gain expertise in transthoracic image acquisition, optimization, and interpretation for patients with both congenital and acquired heart disease
• Develop skills in advanced imaging technologies such as strain imaging and 3D
• Perform intraoperative transesophageal echocardiograms to assist in surgical decision making
• Provide echo guidance for interventional catheterizations such as ASD device closure, VSD device closure, PDA device closure in preterm infants.
• Present echo images at weekly cardiosurgical conference
• Weekly echo staff physician delivered teaching
• Participate in the teaching of core cardiology trainees and sonographers
• Provide on call support for new core trainees
• Learn and supervise exercise echo

The echocardiography lab at SickKids is a world leader in cardiovascular ultrasound research and our fellowship offers a unique opportunity for trainees to become involved in imaging research. We encourage our fellows to become involved in a research project during their clinical fellowship. Twice monthly echo research rounds are hosted and provide a forum for collaboration and learning. Opportunities to pursue a research fellowship following the clinical training exist.

Staff:

• Dr. Luc Mertens (Section Head, Echocardiography)
• Dr. Mark Friedberg
• Dr. Andreea Dragulescu
• Dr. Vitor Guerra
• Dr. Conall Morgan (Program Director)
• Dr. Anne Dipchand (Section Head, Heart Transplantation)
• Dr. Israel Valverde (Section Head, Cardiac Imaging)
• Dr. Lindsay Freud (Section Head, Fetal Cardiac Program) 
• Dr. Koyelle Papneja

The Fetal Cardiac Program in the Labatt Family Heart Centre offers a one-year comprehensive fetal fellowship for select candidates interested in a career in fetal cardiology. We are one of the largest fetal cardiac programs in the world with seven staff cardiologists and a team of dedicated nurses, sonographers, and administrative assistants. We perform more than 2,500 high-risk fetal echocardiograms per year and serve as a regional, national, and international referral centre.  

In addition to daily fetal clinics at SickKids, we have two daily clinics per week to perform first trimester fetal echocardiograms at Mount Sinai Hospital alongside our maternal-fetal medicine colleagues. Through the Ontario Fetal Centre, which is a collaboration between SickKids and Mount Sinai, we are the only program in Canada to offer percutaneous fetal cardiac intervention.  Additionally, we are one of few centres in the world to perform fetal cardiac MRI, both for clinical and research purposes. Our world-class Genetics team also provides unique opportunities for collaboration and teaching, as well as research avenues through the Cardiac Genome Clinic.

Fellows are exposed to all members of our multi-disciplinary team. There is an abundance of educational opportunities, including weekly case-based teaching; weekly provincial fetal cardiology rounds, which includes journal clubs, pathology rounds, and M&M conferences; and monthly multi-disciplinary perinatal rounds.  Beyond the clinical and educational offerings, fellows typically complete at least one research project during the year with our productive fetal cardiology staff.

The fetal fellowship is generously supported by the Policaro Family.

Staff

Dr. Lindsay Freud (Section Head, Fetal Cardiac Program) 
Dr. Vitor Guerra
Dr. Mike Seed (Division Head, Cardiology)
Dr. Shi-Joon Yoo

The Paediatric Cardiac Electrophysiology program trains fellows to achieve excellence in all areas of paediatric arrhythmia management. Trainees develop expertise in the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias disorders in children with and without congenital heart disease. This will include invasive and noninvasive testing, as well as medical management, device implantation and management, and catheter ablation. 

PCEP fellows participate in both inpatient and outpatient settings learning to diagnose and manage the full breadth of electrophysiologic conditions. Fellows gain increasing responsibility while learning the management and natural history of a wide variety of cardiac arrhythmias. 

Fellows are involved in all EP procedures, and given increasing responsibility in the EP laboratory. Procedures include diagnostic EP studies and catheter ablation for supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. They are involved in pacemaker, ICD, and cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantations both in the cath lab and in the operating room in conjunction with cardiac surgery for epicardial procedures. Fellows also participate in non-invasive procedures such as cardioversions and device tests. Fellows consult on patients with arrhythmias and implanted devices in the intensive care units and other inpatient units. 

In the outpatient arena, EP fellows spend a minimum of a half-day each week in one of the arrhythmia outpatient clinics, as well as covering the pacemaker clinic. The fellows rotate among each of the EP faculty clinics, thus affording trainees the opportunity to observe and manage patients longitudinally, and to gain experience with different management styles. They read ECG, exercise tests and Holter monitors under the guidance of the EP staff.

The fellowship is designed to provide trainees with a broad educational experience. In addition to the extensive direct clinical exposure, a variety of educational opportunities are provided during the fellowship. A weekly EP service meeting, attended by all EP faculty and fellows, is used for teaching, discussion of recent cases and complications, as well as upcoming cases in both the cath lab and the operating room. Outpatient consults and challenging cases are also brought to this forum for review and management planning. Fellows attend two monthly meetings on inherited arrhythmia, one reviewing internal cases and one reviewing shared families with our adult partners at Toronto General Hospital. Fellow also present teaching to core cardiology fellows and paediatric residents on a monthly basis. 

Faculty for the PCEP Program

Dr. Elizabeth Stephenson (Section Head, Electrophysiology)
Dr. Anica Bulic
Dr. Robert Hamilton

Training in interventional cardiology at SickKids offers exposure to a full spectrum of interventional cases and complex patients. Working with a staff of four experienced interventionalists with somewhat unique areas of expertise, the trainee will gain fluency in technical skills and decision-making. Clinical responsibilities include pre- and post-cath care as well as procedural responsibilities. Research and teaching opportunities are available within the Division; the senior fellow typically takes on a leadership role for core trainees rotating through the lab. Adult congenital and structural exposure is available, if desired, through a collaborative experience at Toronto General Hospital. 

Staff

Dr. Audrey Marshall (Section Head, Interventional Catheterization)
Dr. Lee Benson
Dr. Nicholas Fitzgerald
Dr. Rajiv Chaturvedi

We offer 1 year of advanced training in cardiomyopathy, heart function, and heart transplantation with a robust ventricular assist device (VAD) program. 

The Cardiomyopathy & Heart Function (CHF) program has been an integral section to the Division of Cardiology since 2005. The CHF program provides expertise in delivering both inpatient and outpatient care for children with all types of cardiomyopathies and those with congenital heart disease and end-stage heart failure. We are participants in the multicenter ACTION learning network and actively involved in heart failure device and drug trials.

The Heart Transplant Program at Sickkids was initiated in 1989 and has done over 380 heart transplants across the paediatric age spectrum.  We have been pioneers in the role of ABO incompatible heart transplantation in children. We represent the largest pediatric heart transplant program in Canada and are active members of the multicenter collaboration Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS). Fellows in the program have the opportunity to learn about the diagnostic fundamentals and clinical management of pediatric heart transplant patients, infectious/oncological complications in immunocompromised patients, and challenges around allosensitization.

The Heart Transplant & CHF programs run regular interdisciplinary clinics each week as well as additional specialty clinics for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Friedreich’s Ataxia, and a regular cardiomyopathy screening clinic for children with affected family members. We also provide cardiac care for children with neuromuscular diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and for children who have undergone chemotherapy for childhood cancers. In addition, the program runs a robust home inotrope program and is responsible for the care of children requiring ventricular assist devices. We currently support children with both pulsatile and continuous flow VADs.

The Heart Transplant & CHF teams are comprised of pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, child life, occupational and physical therapists, pharmacists, genetic counselors, amongst others.

From a research standpoint, the Heart Transplant & CHF program are at the forefront of innovation with ongoing participation in a number of research activities that include novel drug trials, multi-centre registry participation, advanced genomics and stem cell research, Cardiac Precision Medicine, digital technology, and quality improvement efforts. Fellows in the program have multiple opportunities to participate in research activities during their training.

Staff

Dr. Aamir Jeewa (Section Head, Heart Function) 
Dr. Anne Dipchand (Section Head, Heart Transplantation)
Dr. Alyssa Power
Dr. Seema Mital

Aakansha Singh, MD
Cardiac MRI

Osama Abumregha, MD
Echocardiography

Mohammed Bin-Moallim, MD
Cardiac MRI

Emil Stefors, MD
Echocardiography

Pierre-Olivier Veillette, MD
Electrophysiology

Sivan Elkarat, MD
Inherited Arrhythmia

Jakob Gierten, MD
Interventional Catheterization

Supapen Lertvurivivat, MD
Fetal Echocardiography

Amira Soliman, MD 
Heart Function and Transplantation

Dyan Zhang, MD
Heart Function and Transplantation

Yuval Bitterman, MD
Electrophysiology 

Nicholas Fitzgerald, MD
Interventional Catheterization 

Joshua Griesman, MD
Fetal Echocardiography 

Alison Howell, MD 
Echocardiography

Bhavikkumar Langanecha, MD
Heart Function and Transplantation

Sarin Lekcheunskaul, MD
Electrophysiology - Inherited Arrhythmia

Joshua Penslar, MD
Fetal Echocardiography 

Sarah Pradhan, MD
Pulmonary Hypertension

Carlos Villalobos Lizardi, MD 
Echocardiography

Nathaniel Barber, MD 
Fetal Echocardiography 

Emmi Helle, MD
Electrophysiology - Inherited Arrhythmia

Yalin Lin, MD
Pulmonary Hypertension

Aine Lynch, MD
Heart Function and Transplantation

Sarah Pradhan, MD
Interventional Catheterization 

Thomas Salaets, MD, PhD
Echocardiography

Akintayo Adesokan, MD 
Interventional Catheterization 

Javier Castro, MD 
Heart Function and Transplantation

Michael Fridman, MD
Electrophysiology 

Boekhren Karyostoyo, MD
Echocardiography 

Yalin Lin, MD
Fetal Echocardiography

Safwat Aly, MD
Echocardiography

Bianca Castellanos, MD
Electrophysiology

Barbara de Pinho Cardoso, MD
Heart Function and Transplantation

Kamalvir Gill, MD
Fetal Echocardiography

Carmen Lopez Leiva, MD
Cardiac Imaging

Steven Rathgeber, MD
Interventional Catheterization

Ankavipar Saprungruang, MD
Cardiac Imaging