Uzoego Chibuzo, MD (2024-2027)

Medical School: University of Maiduguri College of Medical Sciences, Nigeria
Residency: Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, NY

Aaron “AJ” Heaps, MD (2023-2026)

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, IL
Residency: Brown University Pediatrics, Providence, RI

Peter Barrale, MD (2022-2025)

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine, Barbados
Residency: Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA

Moeez Hassan, MD (2022-2025)

Medical School: Khyber Medical College, Pakistan
Residency: Beaumont Children's Hospital, Royal Oak, MI

2024 Graduates

Bayan Issa, MD (2021-2024)

Medical School: Kalamoon University Faculty of Medicine, Syria
Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL

2023 Graduates

Kamel Shibbani, MD (2020-2023) 

Medical School:  American University, Beirut, Lebanon
Residency:  University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA

Krista Young, MD (2020-2023) 

Medical School: University of Texas School of Medicine, San Antonio
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

 

2022 Graduates

Kurt Bjorkman, MD (2019-2022)

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Mich.
Residency: Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn.

Janelle Buysse, DO (2019-2022)

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, Pa.
Residency: Advocate Children’s Hospital, Oak Lawn, Ill.

2021 Graduates

Omar Abu Anza, MBChB (2018-2021)

Medical School: Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo
Residency: University at Buffalo, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y.
Research: Doppler estimated pressure gradient after stent repair of coarctation of aorta
Current Position: Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Okla.

2020 Graduates

Nikola Dragisic, MD (2017-2020)

Medical School: American University of the Caribbean, School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Fla.
Residency: Atlantic Health Systems, Morristown, N.J.
Research: Evaluating the in vivo role of cyclin C in mammalian hearts
Current Position: Associate, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa

Natasha Gonzalez Estevez, MD (2017-2020)

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Research: The use of novel MRI analysis model for evaluation of the RVOT in patients with congenital heart disease
Post Fellowship Training: Advanced Imaging Fellowship, University of California Los Angeles 

2019 Graduates

Jess Randall, MD (2016-2019)

Medical School: University of Kansas, School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kan.
Residency: Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix
Research Interests: Novel targets for treatment of pediatric pulmonary hypertension
Post Fellowship Training: Interventional Cardiology, Colorado Children’s Hospital, Denver, 2019-2020
Current Position: Group practice interventional cardiologist Rochester, N.Y., 2020-Present

2018 Graduates

Randi Durden (Parker), MD (2015-2018)

Medical School: Ross University, School of Medicine, Roseau, Dominica
Residency: Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah, Ga.
Research Interests: Childhood obesity and obesity prevention: looking into identifiable risk factors for obesity with the goal of implementation of early childhood interventions to prevent childhood obesity
Current Position: Pediatric Cardiology Associates of Houston, Houston

Deidra Ansah, MD (2015-2018)

Medical School: East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, N.C.
Residency: Emory University Hospital, Atlanta
Research Interests: Determination of cardiac size and function in SSRI exposed infants
Post Fellowship Training: Advanced Imaging Fellowship, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago

2017 Graduates

 

Omar Rodriguez, MD (2014-2017)

Medical School: State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, New York
Residency: Northwell Health, New York
Chief Residency: Northwell Health, New York
Research Interests: Thrombosis prevention in children with congenital heart disease
Current Position: Critical Care Fellowship, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa 
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Critical Care, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa

2016 Graduates

Derek Hoyme, MD (2013-2016)

Medical School: University of Buffalo, State University of New York School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, N.Y.
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
Research Interests: Resuscitation outcomes and outcomes of resuscitation education programs in Iowa High Schools
Current Position: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Madison, Wis.

Sonya Kirmani, MD (2013-2016)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
Research Interests: Dilated cardiomyopathy results in dilated ventricles with depressed systolic function
Additional Training: Heart failure and transplant, Washington University, St. Louis
Current Position: Duke Children’s Health Center; Cardiac Transplant, Durham, N.C.
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplant, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis

2015 Graduates

Govinda Paudel, MD (2012-2015)

Medical School: B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
Residency: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, New York
Research Interests: Computational Fluid Dynamics in Cardiovascular Diseases
Additional Training: Advanced Cardiac Imaging Fellow, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Current Position: LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.
Area of Expertise: Cardiac Imaging
Post Fellowship Training: Imaging Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

2014 Graduates

Luis Ochoa, MD (2011-2014)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: University of Colorado, Denver / The Children's Hospital; Aurora, Colo.
Research Interests: Regulation of Epithelial Sodium Channel Gating in Hypertension
Additional Training: Electrophysiology, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
Current Position: University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Area of Expertise: Electrophysiology
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Electrophysiology, Duke University, Durham, N.C.

M. Santiago Restrepo, MD (2011-2014)

Medical School: University of Antioquia, Medical School, Medellín, Colombia
Residency: Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, New York
Research Interests: In-vivo delivery of a viral vector for gene therapy in cystic fibrosis
Additional Training: None
Current Position: Pediatric Cardiologist, Children's Hospital Central California, Madera, Calif.
Area of Expertise: General Cardiology

2013 Graduates

Lindsey Malloy, DO, MPH (2010-2013)

Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Mo.
Residency: Children’s Mercy, University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.
Research Interests: Biochemical changes caused by aortic aneurysm actin mutations. 
Additional Training: Fourth year EP Fellowship, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, Calif.
Current Position: Pediatric Cardiologist, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, Mo.
Area of Expertise: Pediatric Electrophysiology
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Electrophysiology, Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford Hospital, Stanford, Calif.

2012 Graduates

Benton Ng, MD (2009-2012)

Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas
Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, Wis.
Research Interests: Heart rate variability in newborns
Additional Training: Completion of Masters in clinical investigation. Three-month observership at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for cardiac MRI.
Current Position: Pediatric Cardiologist, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Area of Expertise: Imaging, including transthoracic echo, transesophageal echo, and cardiac MRI
Post Fellowship Training: Completion of Masters in Clinical Investigation, Cardiac MRI Observership, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia

2011 Graduates

Scott (Jared) Bentley, DO (2008-2011)

Medical School: University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine
Residency: Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va.
Research Interests: Obstructive sleep apnea (clinical markers of and cardiovascular changes associated with OSA) and childhood obesity
Additional Training: None
Current Position: Major in the United States Air Force, San Antonio
Area of Expertise: General Pediatric Cardiology

Susan Haynes, MD (2008-2011)

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.
Residency: University of South Alabama, University Hospital, Mobile, Ala.
Research Interests: Hypertension in preterm infants
Additional Training: None
Current Position: Greenville Health System, Greenville, S.C.
Area of Expertise: General cardiology and imaging

2010 Graduates

Melissa M. Agoudemos, MD, PhD (2007-2010)

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
Research Interests: Cardiovascular effects in offspring of diabetic mothers
Additional Training: None
Current Position: St. Luke's Children's Cardiology, Boise, Idaho
Area of Expertise: Pediatric Echocardiography

Ryan Johnson, MD (2007-2010)

Medical School: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Ore.
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
Research Interests: Development of novel indices of right and left ventricular morphology/motion and aortic morphology/motion using 4D MR imaging in pediatric patients with tetralogy of Fallot and connective tissue disorders.
Additional Training: None
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, Ariz.
Area of Expertise: General pediatric cardiology

2009 Graduates

Sonali Patel, MD, PhD (2006-2009)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
Research Interests: Epidemiology of atherosclerotic heart disease in pediatric patients
Additional Training: Pediatric Cardiology Research Fellowship, PhD Thesis in Epidemiology
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Director, Hypertension Program, Co-Director, Preventive Cardiology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Denver
Area of Expertise: Preventive cardiology
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Cardiology Research Fellowship, PhD Thesis in Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa

2008 Graduates

Priti Patel, MBBS, MD (2005-2008)

Medical School: Sri M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, India
Residency: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago
Research Interests: Genetic determinants of patent ductus arteriosus in term infants; Gene linkage analysis for familial atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and/or cardiomyopathy
Additional Training: Pediatric Cardiology (interventional cardiac catheterization), Baylor University, College of Medicine, Houston
Current Position: Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois, Peoria, Ill.
Area of Expertise: Interventional cardiac catheterization Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Cardiology (interventional cardiac catheterization), Baylor University, College of Medicine, Houston
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Cardiology (interventional cardiac catheterization), Baylor University, College of Medicine, Houston

Nicholas Von Bergen, MD (2005-2008)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
Research Interests: Alterations of heart rate variability as a predictor of sudden cardiac death in the Norwood population; Alterations in reactive oxygen species production in ovine coronary artery smooth muscle cells, mitochondrial and sub-mitochondrial particles in early gestation dexamethasone programmed ewes; Effectiveness of ICDs by indication in children and young adults with congenital heart disease; Exercise related syncope in pediatrics
Additional Training: Pediatric Cardiology, Visiting Scholar in Pediatric Electrophysiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Madison, Wis.
Area of Expertise: Pediatric electrophysiology Post Fellowship Training:Pediatric Cardiology, Visiting Scholar in Pediatric Electrophysiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Post Fellowship Training: Pediatric Cardiology, Visiting Scholar in Pediatric Electrophysiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

2007 Graduates

Robert Escalera, MD (2004-2007)

Medical School: Georgetown University, School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia
Residency: University of California, San Francisco
Research Interests: The role of early genetic determinants of Xenopus heart development
Additional Training: None
Current Position: Pediatric Cardiology Associates, Fairfax, Va.
Area of Expertise: General Pediatric Cardiology

2006 Graduates

Benjamin Reinking, MD (2003-2006)

Medical School: University of Iowa, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
Research Interests: Using high resolution ultrasound to define the cardiac phenotype of small animal models
Additional Training: Echocardiography, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford Hospital, Stanford, Calif.
Current Position: Director Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Iowa City, Iowa
Area of Expertise: Pediatric echocardiography Post Fellowship Training:Echocardiography, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford Hospital, Stanford, Calif.
Post Fellowship Training: Echocardiography, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford Hospital, Stanford, Calif.

2005 Graduates

Aaron Olson, MD (2002-2005)

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis and University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, Duluth, Minn.
Residency: University of Chicago Hospital and Clinics, Chicago
Research Interests: Signaling pathways in fetal cardiac hypertrophy
Additional Training: None
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Seattle
Area of Expertise: General pediatric cardiology

2004 Graduates

Jeffrey Frazer, MD (2001-2004)

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
Research Interests: Delineating the metabolic and physiologic alterations in cardiovascular function induced by deletion of the gene for the voltage-dependent chloride channel CIC-3
Additional Training: Interventional Cardiology, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of San Diego, University of California, San Diego
Current Position: Associate Professor, University of California, Pediatric Cardiology, San Diego
Area of Expertise: Interventional cardiac catheterization
Post Fellowship Training:Interventional Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of San Diego, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of California, San Diego

Kaitlin Carr, PA-C
Clinical Interests
Cardiac Catheterization
Training
University of Iowa, Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Diana Knoedel, PA-C
Clinical Interests
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Echocardiography
General Pediatric Cardiology
Training
University of Iowa, Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Mark Olson, PA-C
Clinical interests
“I have an active interested in cardiac catheterization and cardiac electrophysiology procedures and their related devices (stents, closure devices, ICD’s, pacemakers, etc.). My role is to assist in and help coordinate these procedures. I primarily follow patients of these types in clinic, and perform pacemaker and ICD interrogation. I also participate in clinical education by creating     simulation for staff.”
Training
University of Iowa, Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Trudy Pierick, ARNP
Clinical interests
Inpatient Care Coordinator 
Interests: single ventricle patients, feeding issues, anticoagulation, chylothorax, patient/family education, parent support group
Training
BSN, University of Iowa College of Nursing
MSN, University of Iowa College of Nursing
Outside interests
Cooking/baking, music, vinyl décor

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Michelle Staron, MMS, PA-C
Clinical Interests
Physicians Assistant
Cardiac transplantation, heart failure and myocardial dysfunction

Natalie VanWaning, ARNP
Clinical Interests
Outpatient Care
Syncope
General Pediatric Cardiology
Training
BSN, University of Iowa College of Nursing
MSN, University of Iowa College of Nursing
Outside Interests
“I love to run, read, and spend time with family and friends.”

"Blame no one, expect nothing, do something." – Lloyd Carr

Gary Beasley, MD
Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program Director
Email: gary-beasley@uiowa.edu
Phone: 319-356-4995

Stephanie Acosta, MD
Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Assistant Program Director
Email: stephanie-acosta@uiowa.edu
Phone: 319-356-7303

Alexander G. Bassuk, MD, PhD

Chair and Department Executive Officer

Welcome to the University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital. We are proud to showcase our extraordinary clinical care, dedication to the education of students and young physicians, and our world-class research programs.

Our comprehensive medical, surgical, and nursing services span the full spectrum of pediatric care. The consistently high rankings we receive on national and international benchmarks attest to the exceptional quality of care we provide. With more than 127,000 annual outpatient visits and more than 10,000 admissions to the 165 beds at University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital, we draw patients regionally, nationally, and internationally. Our commitment to family-centered care and our outstanding facilities have been praised for their innovative and patient-friendly design.

We are dedicated to excellence in the education of medical students, residents, and fellows, as reflected by a competency-based curriculum that is designed to provide practitioners with comprehensive knowledge and outstanding skills. The clinical and research efforts of trainees are closely mentored and nurtured. Our graduates move on to successful careers in clinical practice and academic pediatrics.

From genomics to cancer biology, from clinical trials to outcomes research, the department consistently ranks among the top National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Pediatric Departments nationally. Our faculty and staff are engaged in cutting edge basic science and patient-oriented research in our unwavering quest to improve the health and well-being of all children.

We have a diverse faculty with wide-ranging clinical and research interests. Many are internationally known and have been in the department for many years. We also have bright young faculty who bring new interests and enthusiasm to the practice and teaching of neurology. All clinical faculty participate in resident training, clinical practice, and research.

• Division Faculty
• Research Faculty
• Division Head
• Department Directory A-Z