Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship

The Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program is dedicated to developing future leaders in the field within a supportive and adaptable learning environment. Our mission is to cultivate exceptional clinicians while also fostering additional career pathways—such as scientific research, medical education, or healthcare administration—tailored to each trainee’s individual interests. The training is designed to equip trainees with the comprehensive skills necessary to thrive in and secure their ideal career.

Program Highlights:

Exceptional Clinical and Procedural Training: Comprehensive hands-on experience in all aspects of cardiac electrophysiology.
Expert Faculty: Experienced academic electrophysiologists dedicated to education, mentorship, and career development.
Cutting-Edge Facilities: Access to six state-of-the-art EP laboratories.
High Procedural Volumes: Broad exposure to a full spectrum of electrophysiology procedures.
Robust Research Environment: Ample opportunities for clinical, translational, and basic science research.
Strong Clinical Support Team: Collaborative care with cardiology fellows, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and EP attendings.
Protected Clinical Focus: No weekday consults or inpatient service duties; active engagement in clinical rounds for learning and collaboration.
Clinical Skills Enhancement Program: Structured support for building advanced procedural and diagnostic skills.
Outstanding General Cardiovascular Fellowship: Integrated learning with a highly regarded cardiology training program.
Supportive Culture: A collegial and team-oriented atmosphere that fosters collaboration and mutual growth.
Excellence in Education: Daily protected teaching time featuring:
- Case presentations
- Didactic lectures
- Journal club
- “Unknowns” sessions
- EP-SAP preparation
Regional Collaboration: Monthly regional EP conferences with peer institutions.
Pediatric EP Integration: Active participation from a pediatric EP colleague at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Engaged Faculty: Highly involved adult EP attendings committed to fellow success.

Mehak Dhande, MD
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Amr Barakat, MD
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N. A. Mark Estes III, MD

Program Director
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For more information, please contact:

Denise Goppman
Fellowship Coordinator
412-647-3429
goppmanda@upmc.edu

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Topics

Clinical Training

UPMC Electrophysiology Fellows train in six state-of-the-art EP laboratories across the UPMC Presbyterian, Shadyside, and Passavant campuses, under the guidance of academic electrophysiologists dedicated to excellence in clinical education. Fellows are actively involved in all aspects of patient care, including the management of complex arrhythmias, and participate in daily clinical rounds. The program emphasizes progressive skill development in advanced ablation techniques—including zero-fluoroscopy procedures—as well as cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation and extraction, left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, and other advanced interventions. Fellows are expected to achieve procedural autonomy by the end of training. In addition, they receive structured mentorship in arrhythmia and device management through a dedicated outpatient clinic one day each week.

Research Training

UPMC staff electrophysiologists are actively engaged in a broad spectrum of research, including basic science, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic studies. Each EP fellow is encouraged to pursue research projects aligned with their individual interests, under the guidance of a dedicated faculty mentor. Mentors provide support throughout the research process and facilitate additional training opportunities over the course of the year. Fellows are expected to present their work at monthly UPMC EP research conferences, as well as at regional and national scientific meetings. The program emphasizes the development of essential research skills—including study design, data collection, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and publication—to prepare fellows for ongoing scholarly activity beyond fellowship. For those interested in academic research careers, advanced training opportunities are available through Master’s programs and T32 grant-supported funding.

Faculty

	Gur Adhar, MD Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
	William Barrington, MD Professor of Medicine
	Aditya Bhonsale, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine
	Mehak Dande, MD, MS
	N. A. Mark Estes III, MD Director, UPMC EP Fellowship Program UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine
	Sandeep K. Jain, MD Director, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine
	Krishna Kancharla, MBBS Assistant Professor of Medicine
	Aditi Naniwadekar, MD
	Samir Saba, MD Chief, Division of Cardiology Co-Director, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Harry S. Tack Chair, School of Medicine Professor in Clinical and Translational Science
	Alaa Shalaby, MD Professor of Medicine
	Virginia Singla, MD Associate Program Director
	Andrew Voigt, MD Associate Professor of Medicine

Teaching Facilities

UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Shadyside operate as a unified, integrated system known as UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside. As the flagship hospital of the UPMC system, UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside serves as the primary tertiary referral center for cardiac electrophysiology across Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and West Virginia. This regional referral role brings a diverse array of electrophysiology cases—from routine arrhythmias to complex ventricular tachycardias—offering fellows outstanding clinical exposure. Its close affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine further enhances the training environment by providing access to nationally recognized leaders in basic and cellular electrophysiology research.

Applications

Applications for the fellowship are accepted from the opening of ERAS from physicians who will have completed a three-year ACGME-accredited cardiovascular disease fellowship by the time the clinical cardiac electrophysiology program begins in July. All applicants must register and complete an application through the ERAS electronic residency application system.

Applying to Residencies with the ERAS® System | Students & Residents (aamc.org)

Selection of Interview Candidates

Each application is reviewed in its entirety by Dr. Estes the EP Fellowship Program Director and at least one other staff electrophysiologist. Candidates are selected for interviews based on character, integrity, work ethic, leadership, clinical excellence, research productivity, educational accomplishments, and potential for a productive career. While we receive applications from many well-qualified candidates, it is not possible to interview all who apply.

Interview Dates and Format

Interviews will be conducted virtually from early September to the middle of October. Each candidate will meet with Dr. Estes and at least two other staff electrophysiologists. All applicants will also interview with the current UPMC EP fellows.

Current Fellows and Program Alumni

Class of 2026
	Tanmay Gokhale, MD, PhD • MD, Duke University, 2018 • Residency, Duke University, 2020 • Cardiology Fellowship, UPMC, 2024	click to enlarge and read in new tab
	Paul Lee, MD • MD, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018 • Residency, University of Colorado, 2021 • Cardiology Fellowship, University of Iowa, 2024	click to enlarge and read in new tab
Class of 2027
	Shalini Allam, MD • MD, University of Central Florida, 2018 • Residency, Georgetown University, 2021 • Cardiology Fellowship, UPMC, 2025	click to enlarge and read in new tab
	Ashish Patel, MD • MD, Northwestern University, 2019 • Residency, UPMC, 2022 • Cardiology Fellowship, UPMC, 2025	click to enlarge and read in new tab
	Aakash Sheth, MD • MD, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, 2018 • Residency, Louisiana State University, 2022 • Cardiology Fellowship, UPMC - Harrisburg, 2025	click to enlarge and read in new tab