There are 3 fellows each year with their own areas of interests and plans for the future. The program gives them a firm grounding in general cardiology, but also allows them the flexibility to focus on a specific sub-specialty, if desired.
A Word from Our Chief Fellow, Jesse Fitzpatrick
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our program. What drew me to the KPNC Cardiology Fellowship was the tremendous investment placed in each fellow’s professional development. All aspects of the program are designed with education in mind and the leadership is very receptive to feedback. Whatever your individual goals, Jonathan Zaroff and the faculty will move mountains to get you there. Clinical volumes and exposure to rare pathology are excellent as all 4.3 million Northern California Kaiser members are funneled through our two cardiovascular training sites. The Division of Research has some of the largest research databases in the world and houses leaders in the fields of clinical informatics, epidemiology, and health care delivery science. Perhaps the most unique aspect of our program is the collegiality between our fellows and faculty. Whether it be a pickup basketball game, happy hours, or returning Dr. Zaroff’s wicked pickleball serve, everyone at KP is interested in your life and family outside the hospital.
If you choose to join our program you will receive outstanding preparation for a career in general cardiology or a solid foundation on your path to sub-specialty training. Our fellows have secured desirable employment opportunities and/or positions in advanced training programs both in the Bay Area and around the country. I look forward to meeting you and please reach out if you have any questions!
Current Fellows
Jesse Fitzpatrick, MD
Chief Cardiology Fellow, 3rd Year
Jesse Fitzpatrick, MD
Chief Cardiology Fellow, 3rd Year
Undergraduate
Colorado College
Medical Education
Duke University School of Medicine
Residency
University of California, San Francisco
Career Aspirations
I have multiple areas of interest within cardiology including advanced heart failure, cardiac imaging, and general cardiology. Outside of my clinical work I am passionate about understanding how to improve patient outcomes and how this can best be accomplished by changes in healthcare delivery. I want a career where I can continue to work with residents and fellows after I have finished training.
How I Thrive
I like to recharge by spending time in nature. My wife and I enjoy rock climbing, backpacking, and skiing. We recently have branched out into traditional rock climbing where you protect the route using CAMs and nuts instead of bolts placed in the rock. I am also an avid home brewer and enjoy exploring new beer recipes with friends.
What I Like Best about the Fellowship
Everyone is excited to be coming to work and enthusiastic about fellow education. The patient/procedural volume is fantastic and Kaiser has some of the largest patient databases in the world for clinical research.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Umar Malik, MD
3rd Year Cardiology Fellow
Umar Malik, MD
3rd Year Cardiology Fellow
Undergraduate
University of New Mexico
Medical Education
University of New Mexico
Residency
University of New Mexico
Career Aspirations
Adult Congenital Heart Disease
How I Thrive
Family, friends, music, poetry, and the outdoors!
What I Chose This Fellowship
I chose Kaiser to pursue my cardiology fellowship because the people I met on my interview day were both genuine and caring. Growing up and training in New Mexico, I knew that if I left for fellowship, it would have to be to a place that not only supported my career goals, but more importantly, treated me like family. After my interview day, I knew that Kaiser was that place. I knew that I would get excellent training in a welcoming environment, surrounded by individuals who cared about me as a person and not just as a trainee. I can’t wait to get started!
Paniz Vafaei, MD
3rd Year Cardiology Fellow
Paniz Vafaei, MD
3rd Year Cardiology Fellow
Undergraduate
University of California, Berkeley
Medical Education
Creighton University
Residency
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center
Career Aspiration
General cardiology with an interest in women’s health versus advanced heart failure, Quality improvement
How I Thrive
Spending time with my family and friends, Cooking, Traveling, Skiing, and an occasional good Netflix binge
What I Chose this Fellowship
Having worked within the Kaiser system during my residency, I knew that I wanted to continue my training in this leading integrated healthcare system that prioritizes high-quality and innovative patient care. Moreover, after spending time at Kaiser SF, I had the opportunity to work with the knowledgeable and passionate faculty, experience the collegial and supportive environment, care for the diverse patient population, and witness a wide array of pathologies. The program prioritizes fellow education and fosters fellows’ growth so it was clear to me that this is where I wanted to be!
See profile on My Doctor Online
Akshai Subramaniam, MD
2nd year Cardiology Fellow
Akshai Subramaniam, MD
2nd year Cardiology Fellow
Undergraduate education
UCLA
Medical school
UCSD
Residency
UCSF
Career aspirations
I’m interested in general cardiology and medical education.
How I thrive
In my free time, I enjoy going on hikes with my fiancé and my dog (Jasper, a lab-husky mix). I also love craft beers and enjoy visiting local breweries and taprooms.
What I like best about fellowship
The excellent, high volume clinical training as well as enthusiasm in the department for medical education. I also look forward to joining the close, tight-knit, and supportive Kaiser community.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Jeremy Kong, MD
2nd year Cardiology Fellow
Jeremy Kong, MD
2nd year Cardiology Fellow
Undergraduate education
University of California, Davis
Medical School
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Residency
University of California San Diego Internal Medicine Residency Program
Career aspirations
General Cardiology vs. Advanced Cardiac Imaging
How I thrive
I've always had a passion for sports. Playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer with friends is a great outlet for stress. Fishing has always been one of my favorite hobbies, and I go fishing with my dad at every opportunity I can find. Ultimately, no matter what the occasion or activity, spending time with friends and family gives me the greatest enjoyment in life.
What I like best about Kaiser SF fellowship
Like other great fellowships, Kaiser SF checked off all the boxes for the program accolades, clinical experiences, and research opportunities I was searching for.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Justin Slade, MD
2nd year Cardiology Fellow
Justin Slade, MD
2nd year Cardiology Fellow
Undergraduate education
Boston College
Medical school
Boston University School of Medicine
Residency
Stanford
Career aspirations
My clinical interests are broad yet include the spectrum of heart failure and its intersections with critical care as well as preventive cardiology. In addition to clinical cardiology, I am passionate about quality improvement and implementation research.
How I thrive
Going on adventures with my wife and our toy poodle “Jooni”. Cooking, golfing, spending time on the water, live music and comedy shows. Enjoying all the great activities that San Francisco and Northern California have to offer.
What I like best about fellowship
I was drawn to the program by its high clinical volume as well as Kaiser’s innovation in healthcare delivery and population health research. In concert, I believe these factors uniquely position the fellows to develop into strong clinical cardiologists capable of leading efforts to provide safer, more efficient, and more effective patient-centered care within a health system.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Kent Feng, MD
1st Year Cardiology Fellow
Kent Feng, MD
1st Year Cardiology Fellow
UNDERGRADUATE
Duke University
MEDICAL EDUCATION
University of California, San Francisco
RESIDENCY
Duke University
CAREER ASPIRATIONS
I am primarily interested in general cardiology, though have done research in the realm of heart failure as well. In terms of research, I am interested in uptake of evidenced-based care. Lastly, but certainly not least, I am invested in medical education and would love to continue working with residents and fellows after my training is over.
HOW I THRIVE
Traveling to different countries is what my wife and I always look forward to. However, we are also avid foodies, and both enjoy a nice meal at the great restaurants in and around San Francisco as well as baking/cooking up a storm at home.
WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
There's no question that one of the top reasons why I chose Kaiser for fellowship is because the environment engenders collaboration between colleagues. There's tremendous amount of support between fellows and with faculty as well. The clinical and procedural volume are also high lights to this fellowship that cannot be overstated.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Salvador Hernandez, MD
1st Year Cardiology Fellow
Salvador Hernandez, MD
1st Year Cardiology Fellow
MEDICAL EDUCATION
Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud. Guadalajara, Mexico
RESIDENCY
University of California, Los Angeles – Olive View Internal Medicine Residency
CAREER ASPIRATIONS
I am interested in general cardiology, heart failure, cardiac imaging, access to care, and global cardiovascular health. I envision myself working in a place where I can make a difference focused on patients understanding of their medical condition, and helping to train the physicians of the future.
HOW I THRIVE
I thrive by traveling and discovering new cultures, also, like to explore local hiking trails. I enjoy cooking, baking and enjoying quality time with friends and family.
WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
I love the size of the program, and the focus on fellow education and training. I saw a lot of research opportunities working with one of the largest patient databases. Also, from the day of my interview, I realized I would be in a place where they would care about me as a person and not only a fellow.
See profile on My Doctor Online
Diana Tobler, MD
1st Year Cardiology Fellow
Diana Tobler, MD
1st Year Cardiology Fellow
UNDERGRADUATE
Sonoma State University
MEDICAL EDUCATION
Oregon Health and Science University
RESIDENCY
University of California, San Francisco
CAREER ASPIRATIONS
I am interested in general cardiology, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Outside of my clinical work I am passionate about understanding how to improve patient outcomes and health care delivery, specifically as it relates to patients who are traditionally underserved in our current healthcare structure.
HOW I THRIVE
I live my best life through staying active and traveling. I love running and hiking and recently got a dog who is always looking for an adventure and makes sure I don’t slack off! I love to travel as a way to experience different cultural and natural perspectives and of course to make new connections. I usually try to travel internationally, but during the pandemic I am embracing local traveling and camping more.
WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Patient care is everyone’s top priority, and fellow education and experience come in a close second. Everyone is working hard to ensure patients receive the best care possible, which is easy to do in such an integrated and collaborative system. Staff and leadership are also deeply invested in fellows having the richest educational experience possible; the program is small enough for the experience to be individualized but large enough to be collaborative and supportive.
See profile on My Doctor Online
