Cardiovascular Fellowship Fellows
Third Year
Mohammed Alghammass, MD
Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Medical School: King Saud University
Residency: University of Utah
Why UH: Supportive program leadership with eagerness for continuous improvement. The fellowship program is strong across all clinical cardiology fields and offers great research opportunities.
Plan after graduation: Interventional Cardiology
Research Interests: heart failure, MCS, interventional cardiology
Fun Fact: I watch lots of lion documentaries (fan of Mapogo lions!) and follow stock charts closely
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: exploring Cleveland Metroparks
Ghassan Daher, MD
Hometown: Amioun, Lebanon
Medical School: American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Residency: Saint Louis University Hospital
Why UH: Exceptional clinical experience and research opportunities. Great program to become a complete well-rounded cardiologist and learn from leaders and pioneers in the field of cardiology.
Plan after graduation: Undecided but likely heart failure or imaging
Research Interests: Advanced heart failure, mechanical support devices and cardiogenic shock
Fun Fact: Ranked 2nd in the Lebanese Tennis Junior Championship / Represented Lebanon in West Asia Tennis Championship
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Spending time by Lake Erie and enjoying outdoor activities. Great food scene!
Michael Glidden, MD, PhD
Hometown: Palmetto, FL
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Residency: University Hospitals Harrington Physician Scientist Pathway/Case Western Reserve University
Why UH: I've been in Cleveland for over a decade now for medical school, graduate school, residency, and now fellowship. The ratio of things to do to cost-of-living is probably the highest of any city in the US. I can't think of any other location I'd rather be in!
Plan after graduation: Probably some balance of clinical and research time
Research Interests: Therapeutic protein engineering, structural biophysics, emerging CRISPR/gene-editing technologies
Fun Fact/Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: I'm a big DIYer and recently got into 3D printing. I utilized these evolving skills to create WiFi voice-activated window blinds in my house and also made my old push lawnmower remote-controlled so I can cut my grass from a chair.
Bryan Maliken, MD, PhD
Hometown: Bethlehem, PA
Medical School: University of Cincinnati/Cincinnati Children's
Residency: UH/CWRU
Why UH: Excellent mentorship, great research opportunities, and a collegial training environment
Plan after graduation: Heart failure and basic science
Research Interests: Heart failure, mechanisms of fibrosis/remodeling, cardiac regeneration, angiogenesis
Fun Fact: I'm a regular disc golfer, a big stand-up comedy fan, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson went to my high school
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Going to Guardians games, hanging out with friends at different breweries around the city, disc golf at Sims Park
Mariam Rana, MD
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Medical School: Army Medical College, Pakistan
Residency: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Why UH: Great mentors and collegiality
Plan after graduation: Cardiac imaging, prevention
Research Interests: Lipidology, preventative health, cardiovascular disease in South Asians
Fun Fact: I learned to drive a car at the age of 26
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Biking in the summer and Ferris Shawarma after a busy day at work.
Second Year
Jawad Almajed, MD
Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Medical School: King Saud University
Residency: University of Utah
Why UH: Great exposure to different cardiovascular presentations, collegial environment with amazing mentors, I also have a lot of friends in Cleveland.
Plan after graduation: Unsure yet, I like everything in Cardiology
Research Interests: Advanced heart failure
Fun Fact: I love traveling and I have been to 5/7 continents of the world, I also have an interest in space and astrophysics.
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: I love classical music, so I'm looking forward to visit the Cleveland orchestra center.
Menatalla Mekhaimar, MD
Hometown: England
Medical School: Weill Cornell-Qatar
Residency: The Mount Sinai Hospital
Why UH: Great program with faculty who enjoy teaching and a friendly environment to learn in.
Plan after graduation: Heart Failure
Research Interests: Treatments to improve mortality in heart failure
Fun Fact: I’ve lived in over 7 cities and counting
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Hiking and all the great food spots
Obiageli Obiako, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Medical School: Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine
Residency: University of Connecticut
Why UH: Supportive and collegial environment, great mentorship, diverse learning opportunities.
Plan after graduation: Advanced imaging, preventive health
Research Interests: Nuclear imaging, health disparities, prevention
Fun Fact: My new-found passion is home interior design
Favorite things to do in Cleveland: Going to Metroparks and museums, exploring downtown, and trying out different restaurants.
Nikhil Parimi, MD
Hometown: Broadview Heights, Ohio
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Residency: University of Kansas Medical Center
Why UH: On my interview day, I could tell that the program genuinely cares about the fellows and their growth, both personally and professionally. They also have excellent resources for research, which makes UH a well-rounded training program.
Plan after graduation: General Cardiology
Research Interests: Imaging, Prevention
Fun Fact: I am working on improving my tennis and golf game.
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Eating at all the great restaurants, enjoying the outdoors.
Sherin Sallam, MD
Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar
Residency: Case Western Reserve University/UH Cleveland Medical Center
Why UH: My home residency program, I clearly like it here!
Plan after graduation: Subspecialty training
Research Interests: Electrophysiology, Imaging
Fun Fact: I have been to 30 countries so far.
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Hiking, jet skiing, kayaking, going to the Cleveland Orchestra, UC museums, and pop-up exhibitions.
First Year
Ala Arafah
Hometown: Amman/Jordan
Medical School: University of Jordan
Residency: UH/CWRU
Why UH: The strong mentorship and collegiality at UH attracted me. The faculty’s support, combined with a diverse patient base, provides an ideal setting for developing my skills in cardiology.
Plan after graduation: Undecided
Research Interests: Afib, Ablation
Fun Fact: I am addicted to video games
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Biking around Edgewater, visiting the Observatory park
Tasveer Khawaja
Hometown: Philadelphia
Medical School: Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Residency: CWRU/UH
Why UH: As a former resident and chief resident, I understood the fantastic opportunities I would have here as a fellow. From the mentors, to complex cases, and superb research opportunities, our program has it all!
Plan after graduation: Advanced imaging
Research Interests: Cardiac MRI and cardiac CT
Fun Fact: I enjoy rewatching TV shows I've seen far too mang times
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Hiking in one of the many Cleveland Metroparks!
Matt Mignery
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Michigan
Why UH: Supportive training environment, breadth of learning opportunities, and I have come to love Cleveland as a second home!
Plan after graduation: Undecided, heart failure vs general cardiology
Research Interests: Heart failure, end of life care/palliative care for heart failure patients
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Eat at all the unique restaurants, golf, enjoy the wonderful Metroparks with my family
Aroosa Malik
Hometown: Warren, MI
Medical School: University of Michigan
Residency: University of Michigan
Why UH: Emphasis on promoting women in cardiology, strong vascular medicine program, excellent critical care exposure with 3 different ICUs and 20 bed capacity for UH unit.
Plan after graduation: Undecided, likely heart failure vs preventative/vascular
Research Interests: Heart failure, critical care, and qualitative research
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Exploring the local museums which are in walking distance.
Pranati Sreepathy
Hometown: Cupertino, CA
Medical School: Drexel University
Residency: University of Illinois Chicago
Why UH: Wonderful training and exposure to every field in cardiology with great critical care exposure!
Plan after graduation: Cards Critical Care
Fun Fact: My Favorite TV show ever is Frasier!
Research Interests: QI, Critical Care Cardiology
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Exploring all the restaurants and neighborhoods.
Rakan Alqabbani
Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cleveland is now my second home.
Medical School: Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Residency: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Case Western Reserve University
Why UH: I completed my residency here and have developed a strong attachment to the community and culture. It’s a wonderful place to work and train!
Plans After Graduation: I’m interested in subspecializing but am currently undecided. I’m leaning towards heart failure or imaging.
Research Interests: CRT-D and cardiac MRI.
Fun Fact: I can eat two whole pizza boxes in under five minutes. I’m also a semi-pro gamer and a great dancer!
Favorite Thing to Do in Cleveland: Eat at Ferris Shawerma and Yemen Gate.