University Hospitals Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowships Centered on Expert Mentorship and Research

UH Research & Education Institute

The University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute fellowship programs provide exceptional training for physicians pursuing impactful careers in cardiovascular medicine, a highly specialized and rapidly evolving field. Through advanced clinical exposure, cutting-edge research and expert mentorship, fellows are prepared to become leaders in patient care, innovation, and academic medicine.

Grounded in mutual respect, collegiality and a strong commitment to fellows’ development, the programs benefit from robust institutional support under the leadership of Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, MPH, PhD, President of UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

Cardiology Fellowship Opportunities in Clinical Practice and Research

Fellowship training at UH is defined by broad clinical exposure, pioneering research opportunities and strong mentorship.

“The faculty and fellows have high regard for each other, and it really is like a family,” says Jun Li, MD, Co-Director of both the Vascular Center and the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team. Dr. Li completed her training at UH across multiple disciplines, including internal medicine, general cardiology, interventional cardiology and endovascular fellowship, and joined the faculty in 2018. She has since played a key role in building the endovascular program.

“Our partnership with vascular surgery and vascular medicine at UH is second to none,” she adds. “We truly work closely together and built the vascular center as a whole.”

For Dr. Li and many others, Dr. Shishehbor’s leadership is a major draw.

“He is always in our corner, advocating for us,” she says. “When he senses we’ve had a tough time, clinically or personally, he reaches out to offer support.”

A Supportive Environment Built on Mentorship and Fellowship Development

The institute’s culture of mentorship and collaboration is evident across training experiences.

When Luis Augusto Palma Dallan, MD, performed Ashland County’s first interventional catheterization in 2023, Dr. Shishehbor stood beside his former trainee in the cath lab of UH Samaritan Medical Center, which is 70 miles from the academic medical center. Dr. Dallan had come from Brazil to train at UH and chose to remain in the system, reflecting the program’s ability to attract and retain top talent.

Similarly, Nour Tashtish, MD, matched at UH for internal medicine residency and continued with multiple fellowships, including general cardiology, interventional cardiology and advanced endovascular training. He met his wife, UH Seidman Cancer Center nurse practitioner Allison Braddigan, during his training.

“We’re all family,” says Dr. Tashtish, who grew up in Syria. “This is home.”

Tarek Hammad, MD, a former Chief Fellow in Interventional Cardiology, also chose UH after considering several top programs nationwide. For him, the decision was clear.

“I had heard that Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute was an excellent place for training, but the primary reason I chose UH was Dr. Shishehbor,” he says.

Dr. Hammad emphasizes the program’s collaborative culture and depth of clinical exposure.

“During my fellowship, I observed supportive relationships among attending physicians, with a noticeable absence of ego,” he says. “The focus was always on the patient and doing the right thing. That culture made it clear this was where I wanted to build my career.”

Expert Mentorship for Fellows Pursuing Cardiovascular Careers

Mentorship at UH extends beyond clinical instruction to include professional and personal support.

“Whether it was discussing a management plan, seeking technical advice, co-scrubbing on complex cases, or receiving emotional support after a challenging day, mentors were always available,” Dr. Hammad says. “It didn’t matter if I called at 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. – they answered and never made me feel like a burden.”

Dr. Hammad recalls a defining moment early in his career as an attending physician. While performing a complex percutaneous coronary intervention, he sought advice from a senior cardiologist. Only after completing the case did he realize that Michael Cunningham, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology Services at UH Ahuja Medical Center in suburban Beachwood,  was quietly observing from the back of the cath lab to be available if needed. Continuous opportunities to develop and lead, paired with unwavering support, reassure physicians like Dr. Hammad that they made the right fellowship choice.

This level of support continues as fellows transition into leadership roles. In his first year as an attending, Dr. Hammad was appointed Assistant Fellowship Director by Steven Filby, MD, Program Director of Interventional Cardiology at UH Cleveland Medical Center and later named Cath Lab Director at UH Ahuja Medical Center.

Dr. Hammad encourages current fellows to fully engage with the opportunities available.

“Be proactive, ask questions and don’t be afraid to push yourself,” he says. “The faculty are incredibly supportive and invested in your growth. The culture here not only sharpens your technical skills but also shapes you into a confident, thoughtful and well-rounded clinician.”

Building a Legacy of Clinical Excellence in Cardiology

The strength of the program is reflected in the success of its graduates. Over the past two years, UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute has welcomed five fellowship graduates into roles across vascular medicine, vascular surgery, interventional and endovascular cardiology and electrophysiology, with additional fellows set to join in the coming years

“Many former fellows now serve across multiple UH locations, reflecting the depth and reach of their training,” says Dr. Shishehbor. “From academic medical centers to community-based settings, they deliver exceptional care wherever patients need it.”

These placements highlight the versatility of UH-trained physicians, who carry their expertise throughout the health system.

Dr. Filby sees this retention as a strong indicator of program success.

“This is a wonderful testament to their training experience at University Hospitals and the confidence they have in Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute leadership,” he says.