Cardiovascular Fellows
Third Year
Evan O’Keefe, MD
Medical School: University of Queensland/Ochsner, Brisbane, QLD, Australia/New Orleans, LA
Residency: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Awards/Accomplishments: Dean’s List, 20+ manuscripts published in residency
What attracted you to this program?
Up to now, my top priority has been receiving the best education afforded to me. That aim has frequently landed me in big institutions, toiling underneath esteemed staff. The pursuit of fellowship has made me reflect on those choices and experiences in contrast to my first job, which while I found unstimulating, I very much enjoyed because of days I spent alongside my kind, intelligent, interesting coworkers. That first job left such an impression on me, I’ve known at some point the environment I work in would eclipse the renown of any job or education prospect.
My priority list now is to take my family to a city in which they can prosper, the workplace environment, and lastly, the job. I’ve chosen to continue my career at UMKC and Mid America Heart Institute for the chance to work with great people in a city where my family can grow—the education and their reputation are just a bonus.
Areas of interest: Cardiac imaging, outcomes research, prevention, nutrition, aging, physical activity, evolutionary biology
Steven Lewis, MD
Cardiovascular Disease/Electrophysiology Advancing Innovation in Residency Education Fellow (AIRE)
Medical School: The Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
Residency: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Awards/Accomplishments: Graduated from residency with Quality Improvement Distinction; Best Oral Presentation in Clinical/Translational Research at Emory University SOM Annual Department of Medicine Research Day 2022; MCG Dean’s Clinical Honor Society; multiple manuscripts published in residency and medical school; graduated with highest honors from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering
What attracted you to this program?
I was initially drawn to the University of Missouri–Kansas City Cardiology Fellowship Program for its national reputation of providing outstanding clinical training and opportunities for mentorship and research. Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute is a large referral center providing care for high volumes of diverse cardiac pathology, which inherently provides fellows with exceptional exposure to advanced imaging modalities, complex interventional/EP procedures, and MCS/cardiac transplants. Ultimately, I had a great time meeting the fellows and faculty during my interview—it was clear that everyone knew each other well and truly enjoyed working together. Importantly, both the fellows and faculty highlighted the support and mentorship fellows receive from nationally recognized leaders in the field of cardiology as they pursue their various interests. My mentors spoke very highly of Mid America Heart Institute, confirming that the combination of robust clinical training, countless research opportunities, and the highly collegial environment that feels like a family would be a phenomenal place to continue my training.
Areas of interest: EP, general cardiology
What I like about Kansas City: River Market, Crossroads District, tons of restaurants and parks to explore
May Xac, MD
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Awards/Accomplishments: The President’s Volunteer Service Award, Research in Quality of Care and Education at Parkland Award
What attracted you to the program?
As I was preparing to apply to fellowship, multiple mentors at my prior institution recommended Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute/University of Missouri–Kansas City for their robust clinical training and incredible faculty. With two clinical sites, endless opportunities in research and clinical exposure, and a hybrid of academic and private practice, I feel that the program offers everything you could want in a fellowship. However, what has impressed me most throughout my time here is how supportive and invested the faculty and staff are in you as a fellow and a person.
Areas of interest: General cardiology, heart failure
What I like about Kansas City: The food scene and lack of traffic!
Daniel Young, MD
Chief Fellow
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Residency: Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Consortium, St. Louis, MO
Awards/Accomplishments: Clinical Care-Patient Care Distinguished Service Teaching Award, Internal Medicine Resident of the Month, Collegiate Baseball Player
What attracted you to this program?
The family atmosphere of this program was apparent from my interview day. The fellows and staff clearly knew each other and were well-connected. The training is so well rounded here with a great balance of autonomy and supervision. I knew I would be pushed clinically, but never truly be alone if I needed help. There is also so much support from Dr. Enriquez and the rest of our program leadership for life outside of the hospital that I don’t think you can find anywhere else.
Areas of interest: Cardiogenic shock, MCS, valvular heart disease
What I like about Kansas City: The Chiefs!
Second Year
Emily Edwards, MD
Medical School: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Residency: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Awards/accomplishments: Chief Resident, Member of AOA Honor Society, Member of Gold Humanism Honor Society, Timothy H. Smith Memorial Award for Excellence in Ambulatory Internal Medicine, University of Florida Intern of the Year Award, Society of Teaching Scholars Student Excellence in Medical Education Award, Bythewood and Baker Memorial Scholarship Award for Women Medical Students, NIH T35 Training Grant, Lawrence M. Goodman Scholarship
What attracted you to this program?
I first learned about Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City from the hilarious yet poignant cardiology themed Valentine's Day cards I discovered during medical school (please search for them if you haven't seen them). From my first interview, the faculty and fellows here exuded a warmth and approachability that made me feel like I belong at this institution, and it was clearly evident that they value and nurture the personal and professional development of each fellow. University Health Truman Medical Center and Saint Luke’s offer a diverse clinical experience that combines high-volume, leading-edge clinical training alongside nationally recognized faculty. With its outstanding reputation, rigorous academic foundations, and emphasis on patient-centered care, I knew that Saint Luke’s would cultivate me into a compassionate cardiologist and I'm thrilled to continue my training here.
Areas of interest: Advanced heart failure and transplantation, medical education, women's heart health, health care delivery via digital platforms
What I like about Kansas City: We love the large city offerings with small town vibes here in Kansas City and are slowly making our way through a bucket list of things to do and restaurants to try. Plus, there are no hurricanes to worry about!
Colin Kenny, MD
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University, Yakima, Washington
Residency: Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Awards/Accomplishments: Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, UMKC and Saint Luke's Heart Failure Fellowship
What attracted you to this program?
I have worked and trained in a variety of clinical environments and institutions. From my first day of Heart Failure Fellowship at Saint Luke's, everything just felt right—right teaching facility, right attending faculty, right co-fellows, right program leadership, and the right place for world-class CV disease fellowship training. Maybe not the right dining facility, but everything else about this program is perfect. Mid America Heart Institute and UMKC have created the right balance by giving fellows autonomy in clinical decision-making, while maintaining a supportive atmosphere where help is always available when needed. They have built something remarkable here, and combined with Midwest politeness, it is probably as close to perfect as it gets.
Areas of interest: Electrophysiology, first responder and tactical athlete cardiovascular care
Kenneth Zabel, MD
Medical School: University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas
Residency: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Awards/Accomplishments: Inpatient/outpatient resident of the year 2025, Dedicated learner of the year 2023, Member of the ACC Medical Resident Leadership Group
What attracted you to this program?
I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and I wanted to return to the region after my internal medicine training. Kansas City is home to many excellent cardiology groups, but perhaps the most well-known is Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. The combination of clinical complexity, high volume, research opportunities, and a friendly environment makes for top-notch training. The program contains world-renowned cardiology clinical outcomes research and is listed as a Comprehensive Cardiac Center by The Joint Commission. In addition, Dr. Enriquez is a superb leader in the field and a compassionate advocate for fellows in and out of the hospital. Kansas City is also home to a wide variety of opportunities outside the hospital, including excellent live music, great restaurants, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. I feel extremely proud to be a part of this program and am consistently humbled to be working amongst such excellent faculty and staff.
Areas of interest: Interventional cardiology, cardiac genetics, cardiac histopathology
Omar Cantu Martinez, MD
Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
Residency: Jefferson Einstein Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Awards/Accomplishments: Sonia Stupniker, MD Library Award for outstanding achievement in scholarly activity during Internal Medicine Residency; Albert Einstein Society Innovation Program Grant Recipient for the project titled “Increasing Early Detection and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) through point-of-care Screening in a Primary Care Setting: Einstein PAD Program”; Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt
What attracted you to the program?
The program leadership and my co-fellows are welcoming and like a big family, which was evident from my interview and beyond. The program offers vast opportunities to get in-depth training in research and any cardiovascular field with multiple in-house fellowships. I will be starting my Master’s in Bioinformatics with an emphasis on Clinical Research with full support from the fellowship. Additionally, the ability to work with giants in both the research and clinical fields at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute and University Health and help a diverse patient population is unparalleled.
Areas of interest: Electrophysiology, PAD, RV failure, VTE, pulmonary hypertension, medical device and outcomes research.
What I like about Kansas City: I felt at home during my first week in the city. It is peaceful, has almost no traffic, people are friendly, and has great traditional Mexican food (I can attest to) and BBQ.
Andrew Girard, MD
Medical School: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Awards/Accomplishments: Alabama ACC Ami Iskandrian Research Award, 2nd place; UAB Vascular Biology and Research Symposium Research Award; UAB Highest PGY-1 and PGY-2 ITE Score Award; climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain in the world
What attracted you to this program?
During my residency, I developed a strong interest in outcomes research through participation in a weekly journal club that reviewed high-impact cardiovascular clinical trials. Over time, I noticed that many of the trials discussed were led by Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute. When I asked my mentors about this program, they spoke very highly of the institution and suggested that I apply for my fellowship training.
My interview day experience was outstanding. While interviewing for the research component of the training program, I was excited to learn how outcomes fellows participate in many high-impact projects and receive close mentorship from leaders in the field of cardiology. I was also impressed with the clinical training, which exposes fellows to a nice blend of private and academic practice, diverse patient populations, and state-of-the-art cardiovascular care. Most importantly, I connected easily with the fellows, program leadership, and faculty and found them to be very genuine and welcoming.
Areas of interest: Heart failure, advanced imaging, outcomes research
What I like about Kansas City: Kansas City truly offers something for everybody. It’s fun to relax in many of the parks of Kansas City during the day, and then meet friends downtown for dinner at night. There is a wide variety of restaurants that I am still exploring—all have been excellent so far. On the weekends, I enjoy attending sporting events, touring museums, and exploring the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium!
First Year
Mohammad Abdel-Jawad, MD
Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Residency: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Previous Fellowship: T32 Cardiovascular Outcomes and Advanced Heart Failure Fellowships at UMKC and Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Awards/Accomplishments: AHA QCOR Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA), AHA GWTG-Resuscitation ECIA, Academy Health ECIA, AHA-Resuscitation Max Harry Weil Early Career Award
What attracted you to this program: My journey to UMKC and Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute started with a research fellowship. My desk happened to be on the same floor as Dr. Enriquez and Jeanette, and within the first few weeks, it was clear how much the leadership genuinely cares about its fellows. Even as a research fellow, I had opportunities to be involved clinically, and I was impressed by the wide range of pathology encountered on rounds.
Beyond the training, Kansas City is a great place to live and raise a family, especially at a reasonable cost. It’s hard to ask for more in a program: supportive leadership, exposure to diverse and complex cases that prepare you for independent practice, and strong opportunities for research─all in a city that makes life outside the hospital enjoyable.
Areas of interest: Heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, MCS
What I like about Kansas City: It’s close to my wife’s family, which is a big plus. I’m also a bit of a foodie, and Kansas City delivers, whether it’s Middle Eastern at Baba’s Pantry, lamb burger at Green Dirt, sushi/hand rolls at Kata Nori, or classic BBQ at Q39 in Midtown. Safe to say, I haven’t gone hungry here.
Alex Arreguin, MD
Medical School: The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Residency: The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Awards/Accomplishments: Chair of the leadership board for the Gold Humanism Honors Society Residency Chapter at The Ohio State University; completed one-year post-graduate clinician educator fellowship in conjunction with hospitalist year following residency training
What attracted you to this program: Kansas City is home for me, and I was drawn to the opportunity to return and serve my home community. UMKC was my top choice because it offers an exceptional combination of high-volume clinical training, strong research infrastructure, and a collegial academic culture. I also value the program’s commitment to serving diverse patient populations at University Health, which will allow me to deepen my understanding of the socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants of cardiovascular disease. During the interview process, my conversations with the fellows left a strong impression on me. It was clear how close-knit, supportive, and welcoming everyone was, and I felt this was a program where I could grow both personally and professionally.
Areas of interest: Heart failure, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary hypertension, medical education
What I like about Kansas City: The Chiefs, the Royals and the BBQ (especially Joe’s Kansas City)
Grace Hagan, MD
Medical School: University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas
Residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Awards/Accomplishments: Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Mayo Clinic Quality Fellow, Big XII Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, Marlene Mawson Exemplary Student-Athlete Award, Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship
What attracted you to this program: I was told about the Saint Luke's program by a mentor of mine who recognized the Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute as a renowned institution based in the Midwest, with salt-of-the-earth providers, who make waves at the national level within the clinical research space. I said, “Say less!"
Having grown up in the Kansas and Missouri area, I have always dreamt of taking care of this population. To have the chance to do so at a place where providers demonstrate the same level of humility and compassion, and where the field of cardiology has prospered for decades, felt like a dream come true. After my interview day, I knew I would love to train at Saint Luke's. I got to meet the most wonderful staff members who expressed genuine interest in my personal goals and achieved the impossible task of making KC feel even more like home for this local.
Areas of interest: Multimodality imaging, preventive cardiology, women's heart health, general cardiology
What I like about Kansas City: This city has always had a special place in my heart. Kansas City is affordable and convenient, while still full of exciting developments. Coming from a big sports family, I cannot deny that much of this is related to watching my favorite teams on the pitch, field, diamond, and court. I also love to get outside, for which KC provides plenty of opportunities. Two of my favorite spots to do so are Loose Park and the Trolley Trail─both just a few minutes from our main hospital! Live music is my favorite type of outing. From small venues to the new Morton Amphitheater, the KC music scene always has phenomenal line-ups. I enjoy good food and good coffee, and needless to say, this city leaves its people well-fed and well-caffeinated. Kansas Citians are vibrant, down-to-earth, and passionate about making their home even more amazing every year. Most importantly, I wanted to train in a place that prepared me to see any patient, from all walks of life. The demographic variety of this town is what makes it special.
Tyler Jones, MD
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Residency: UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
Awards/Accomplishments: Chief Resident for UMass Chan Internal Medicine Residency
What attracted you to this program: During my interview process, I was struck by the program’s collegial culture, approachable faculty and fellows, and clear investment in fellow development, both clinically and personally. The breadth of pathology across multiple training sites and the program’s emphasis on autonomy within a supportive environment stood out as a setting where I can grow into a confident, well-rounded cardiologist.
Areas of interest: General cardiology, medical education
What I like about Kansas City: Growing up in the Midwest, I have spent ample time in Kansas City. Aside from the amazing food scene, I enjoyed going to concerts and sporting events in the city. It offers everything a major metropolitan area can, with Midwest charm.
Combined Research/Clinical
Manvita Tatavarthy, MD
Medical School: Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois
Residency: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Awards/Accomplishments: Rush Educator Distinction, Phi Sigma honor society, Guinness world record for participating in the largest international dance performance
What attracted you to this program?
On my interview day I was immediately impressed by how collegial the entire program felt. Every interview was a fun conversation with the goal of just getting to know one another. As I learned more about the program, I realized there was such an amazing breadth of research that I couldn’t wait to get involved. Additionally, the program clearly offered the extremely strong clinical training I was looking for. After speaking with all my residency mentors, I knew that I had to come to Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute.
Areas of interest: Advanced imaging, heart failure, women’s health, medical education
What I like about Kansas City: All the parks and green spaces. I’m excited to explore the food scene here too!
Recent Fellowship Graduates
2026 Graduates
Tyler Bullis, MD – Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, UMKC
Ain Ejaz, MD – General Cardiology, AdventHealth, Overland Park, KS
Kaitlyn Granstaff, MD – Advanced Heart Failure Transplant Cardiology Fellowship, UMKC
Mirza Khan, MD – Academic Cardiologist, Endeavor Health, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Charles Sherrod, MD – Academic Cardiologist, Beth Israel Lahey Health, UMass Chan School of Medicine, Boston, MA
2025 Graduates
Angel Garcia, DO, MSc – Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant Cardiology Fellowship, Cleveland, Ohio
Lehman A. Godwin, MD – Academic Medicine, Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, Kansas City, Missouri
Dan Nguyen, MD, MSc - Academic Medicine, Denver, Colorado
Suchith Vuppala, MD – Academic Medicine, Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, Kansas City, Missouri
Robert Weidling, MD – Academic Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
2024 Graduates
Amanda Heuszel, MD, ME – Academic/General Cardiology, Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, Kansas City, Missouri
Mark Metzinger, MD – General Cardiology, Baylor, Texas
Ellen Murray, MD – Electrophysiology Fellowship, UMKC/Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Merrill Thomas, MD, MSc – Advanced Imaging Fellowship, Brigham Women’s Hospital/Mass General, Boston, Massachusetts
2023 Graduates
Vital Hejjaji, MD, MSc – General Cardiology, Miami, Florida
Ali Malk, MD, MSc – Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Columbus, Ohio
Anas Noman, MD – Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, UMKC/Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
Stefanie Vamenta, MD – General Cardiology, Chicago, Illinois