Our Fellows
Third-Year Fellows
Lefan He, M.D.
Hometown / Edison, NJ
Medical School / Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Residency / Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Triathlon, sci-fi fantasy, exploring international McDonalds menus, blues guitar, board games, and classical music
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? URMC provides comprehensive training within each discipline of cardiovascular disease as well as a collegial work environment, all situated in an affordable and livable mid-sized city.
Kimberly Hsu, M.D.
Hometown / Hicksville, NY
Medical School / Jacobs SOM and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Residency / University of Rochester Medical Center
Hobbies/Interests / Rock climbing (bouldering), gardening, hiking, traveling, cooking, baking
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? Rochester is an ideal place to train because it is balanced in just about every way. It is a major academic tertiary medical center with a huge catchment area, leading to the unique opportunity to care for patients from both city and rural environments. Additionally, it's in an environment that has the exciting offerings of a city, as well as rich and easily accessible nature and fresh air.
Nicholas Kurek, M.D.
Hometown / Buffalo, NY
Medical School / Jacobs SOM and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Residency / University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Spending time with my parents, twin sister, and close friends; eating new foods; strength and conditioning training; soccer; live music
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? As a quaternary care hospital and sole heart transplant center in Upstate New York, Rochester provides fellows with the opportunity to treat a high volume of complex cardiac patients. In addition, Rochester allows for tremendous exposure across all cardiology subspecialties. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it was clear that both fellows and attendings alike were welcoming, approachable, and down-to-earth.
Mohaned Serdah, M.D.
Hometown / Waterbury, CT
Medical School / University of Connecticut SOM
Residency / University of Rochester Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / I enjoy biking, hiking, swimming, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I also like watching Arsenal and Patriots games.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose URMC for the Cardiology fellowship because of the culture of collegiality between the fellows and faculty. I had the privilege of experiencing this here as a resident. Fellows at URMC also have the opportunity to train at a quaternary medical center that offers advanced and complete cardiac care to some of the most complex patients in the state. Aside from the program, Rochester is an energetic and diverse city to live in.
Rithika Thirumal, M.D.
Chief Resident
Medical School / Louisiana State University SOM in Shreveport
Residency / University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Hobbies/Interests / Tea collection (mostly green teas), binge-watching crime TV shows, Cooking (especially gumbo)
Second-Year Fellows
Paul Blasio, M.D.
Hometown / Buffalo, NY
Medical School / Jacobs SOM and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Residency / University of Rochester Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Weightlifting, yoga, hiking, golfing, snowboarding, cooking, and home improvement
Steven Avino, M.D.
Hometown / Buffalo, NY
Medical School / Jacobs SOM & Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo
Residency / University of Rochester
Hobbies / Interests / Cooking and trying new restaurants, Traveling, Sports (golf, hockey, and the Buffalo Bills), Video Games, Chess
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I completed internal medicine residency at URMC and am excited to continue my fellowship training here. The program offers comprehensive cardiology training. There is a spirit of collegiality throughout the hospital. Rochester has been a great place to live, with many fun activities in the Upstate New York region.
Malcolm Dix, M.D.
Hometown / Vero Beach, FL
Medical School / Florida State University COM
Residency / Vanderbilt UMC
Hobbies / Interests / Performing Arts, Traveling, Tennis, Soccer, Cooking
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose Rochester because of its cordial learning environment and outstanding comprehensive training within a large academic center located in the amazing city of Rochester.
Piotr (or Piotrek) Karmilowicz, M.D.
Hometown / Buffalo, NY
Medical School / Jacobs SOM and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Residency / University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Spending time with my parents, twin sister, and close friends; eating new foods, strength and conditioning training, soccer, live music
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? As a quaternary care hospital and sole heart transplant center in Upstate New York, Rochester provides fellows with the opportunity to treat a high volume of complex cardiac patients. In addition, Rochester allows for tremendous exposure across all cardiology subspecialties. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it was clear that both fellows and attendings alike were welcoming, approachable, and down-to-earth.
Keshav Patel, M.D.
Hometown / Canton, Michigan
Medical School / Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine
Residency / University of Illinois at Chicago
Hobbies / Interests / Biking, hiking, working out, and trying out new restaurants.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I absolutely loved the culture of this program. Everyone is extremely kind and down to earth. Furthermore, I strongly believe that this program offers the best clinical training possible with abundant research opportunities regardless of your future career plans.
Joe Raco, M.D.
Hometown / Pittsburgh, PA
Medical School / Drexel University COM
Residency / Penn State Milton S. Hershey MC
Hobbies / Interests / Golf, sports, chess, grilling, running games.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I was searching for a program that offered top-notch clinical training with access to advanced procedures, complex patient care, and a strong cardiac transplant program that also had a warm, welcoming training environment. I am happy to have found all this here at URMC!
Matt Simson, M.D.
Hometown / Buffalo, NY
Medical School / Jacobs SOM & Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo
Residency / University of Rochester Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Backpacking, hiking, working out, spending time with my wife and cat, and smoking meat for Bills games.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? Strong cardiology program with diverse subspecialty exposure, friendly and supportive co-fellows, faculty that are eager to teach, and excellent work-life balance
First-Year Fellows
Shamroz Farooq, M.D.
Hometown / Rochester, NY
Medical School / University of Rochester Medical Center
Residency / UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside
Hobbies / Interests / Soccer, exercise, traveling, and hiking.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose Rochester to be close to family, for the great clinical training, and for the very welcoming faculty.
Prajesh Gongal, M.D.
Hometown / Kathmandu, Nepal
Medical School / Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Residency / Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests/ Hiking, traveling, basketball, indoor gardening, listening to music
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose Rochester for fellowship because of the strong cardiology training the program provides and due to my positive interactions with everyone from the program during the interview day. URMC offers training and exposure across almost all cardiology subspecialties, which was important to me. Additionally, my conversations and interactions with Amy (our program administrator), the fellows, and the leadership during the application cycle made me feel like I can be a part of this community and thrive and contribute.
Emma Hassell, M.D.
Hometown / Park Ridge, NJ
Medical School / Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall
Residency / University of Rochester Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Traveling, hiking, plants, interior design, cooking
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? It has a great culture!
John Kundrick, M.D., M.P.H
Hometown / Erie, PA
Medical School / Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests / Basketball, golfing, hiking, working out, and watching sports.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose URMC for the opportunities it provides as a large academic medical center that serves a wide and diverse patient population and a genuinely collegial environment. Rochester stands out as a great city with plenty of opportunities to enjoy life outside of work.
Lauren Lewis, M.D.
Hometown / Buffalo, NY
Medical School / State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine
Residency / University of Rochester Medical Center
Hobbies / Interests/ I enjoy hiking in the northeast- Adirondacks and out west (exploring the national parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon). In the winter, I love to ski (we have some local ski resorts nearby!). On the weekends, I like going to the bookstore and finding new reads.
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose URMC for cardiology fellowship because of the strong mentorship within the program and great learning environment. The faculty are very invested in teaching, and this is evident while working on service with them and in the excellent lecture series led by faculty. Everyone in the program is very supportive, kind and wants you to succeed. In addition to the welcoming and warm environment, we are a major center with opportunities to take care of patients who require mechanical support and transplant.
Haider Saeed, M.D.
Hometown /Toronto, ON
Medical School / State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine
Residency / State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests/ I love to spend time with my wife, family and friends. We often try new restaurants, do weekend getaways to other cities (where we can try more new restaurants). I love to hike and go out in nature. I am a passionate fan of football and basketball (GO BILLS). I also love a nice evening watching Love Island (wife got me into it).
Why did you choose Rochester for Fellowship training? I chose Rochester because the program is very strong in terms of ALL things Cardiology. The clinical exposure is second to none. The mentors all seemed very dedicated to our learning and growth during my interview day. Rochester is also close to home and a beautiful place to live!