Mohamed Allam, M.D. 

Hometown: Damanhur, Egypt

Medical school: Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Residency: Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital

Clinical/Research interests: Outcomes after transcutaneous aortic valve replacement and cardiac imaging.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Soccer, tennis, and reading.

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic offers a collegial academic environment where clinical practice, education, and cutting-edge research are all united to achieve Mayo’s core value: the needs of the patient come first. I feel fortunate to be part of such a diverse and all-inclusive community with colossal support and endless opportunities to learn and contribute to the field of cardiology.

Future plans: Interventional cardiology.

Beani Forst, M.D.  

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa, and Vancouver, Canada

Medical school: University of Medicine & Health Sciences

Residency: Creighton University

Clinical/Research interests: Global health and underserved populations.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Camping, hiking, lake swimming, and snowboarding in the winter.

Why Mayo: For the mentors, education, and the limitless opportunity the institution provides and caters to.

Future plans: Heart failure and transplant.

Christopher Kanaan, M.D.

Hometown: Mission Viejo, California

Medical school: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Clinical/Research interests: Electrophysiology, imaging, and interdisciplinary.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Pickleball, tennis, gym, and the food scene.

Why Mayo: The breadth of clinical cases, the collegiate environment, the emphasis on research, teaching, and the sun!

Future plans: Electrophysiology fellowship

Nikita Rafie, M.D.

Hometown: San Diego, California

Medical school: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine

Residency: Mayo Clinic

Clinical/Research interests: Echocardiography

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Exploring new restaurants and finding hidden culinary gems in the city.

Why Mayo: Easy . . . the people! Everyone is very supportive and education is emphasized while maintaining fellow autonomy.

Future plans: Advanced echocardiography fellowship

Mahmoud Abdelnabi, MBBCh, MSc

Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt

Medical school: Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Residency: Texas Tech Health Science Center

Clinical/Research interests: My research interests are diverse including include diagnosis and risk stratification in coronary artery disease, structural heart disease interventions, and artificial intelligence in cardiovascular diagnostics and decision-making. I am passionate about combining clinical excellence with innovative research to improve patient outcomes.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: I enjoy exploring hiking trails around the Valley, and exploring smaller towns in Arizona. The scenic views and warm weather make outdoor activities enjoyable year-round.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic for its commitment to patient-centered care, education, and innovative research which aligns perfectly with my values and long-term career goals.

Future plans: I am planning to pursue an academic career in interventional/structural cardiology, focusing on research, patient care, teaching, and global health initiatives.

Omar Baqal, M.B.B.S.  

Hometown: Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Medical school: Alfaisal University College of Medicine

Residency: Mayo Clinic

Clinical/Research interests: Persistent atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Playing soccer at the Scottsdale Sports Complex, trying new brunch and gelato places, and day trips to Flagstaff.

Why Mayo: The widely recognized culture of respect and well-balanced training with a nice blend of clinical experience, academics, and research (the three shields of Mayo Clinic!).

Future plans: Electrophysiology fellowship.

Eiad Habib, M.B.B.S. 

Hometown: Cairo, Egypt

Medical school: Alfaisal University College of Medicine

Residency: Mayo Clinic

Clinical/Research interests: Electrophysiology and ventricular tachycardia.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Volleyball, soccer, food scene, and exploring all the nature and hiking trails around us!

Why Mayo: World-class training with experts in the field, plentiful research opportunities, a collegial environment, and wonderful mentorship. I was fortunate enough to do my residency training in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and decided to stay for a fellowship. I was inspired by how the team works relentlessly to embody the motto of Mayo Clinic: “The needs of the patient come first.”

Future plans: Electrophysiology fellowship.

Ramzi Ibrahim, M.D. 

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Medical school: Ross University

Residency: The University of Arizona

Clinical/Research interests: Epidemiology and large-scale data research.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Exploring new restaurants and finding hidden culinary gems in the city.

Why Mayo: Unparalleled clinical resources and extensive research infrastructure. 

Sofia Lakhdar, M.D.

Hometown: Rabat, Morocco

Medical school: St. Matthews University

Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Queens

Clinical/Research interests: Heart failure

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Discovering different restaurants and going out on walks with my pompsky

Why Mayo: Coming to Mayo was a meaningful transition for me. The mentorship and support here is unparallelled, the subfellowshiip opportunities are outstanding, and the guidance from program leadership in helping fellows find their direction has made this an incredible place to grow. I feel incredibly fortunate that my path led me to such amazing colleagues and opportunities. 

Girish Pathangey, M.D.

Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

Medical school: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Residency: Dartmouth Health

Clinical/Research interests: Preventative, coronary artery disease, cardiac/peripheral interventions, and mechanical circulatory support.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Enjoy hiking in the Valley, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon; playing basketball, swimming, and lifting; and exploring local restaurants, rooftops, breweries, and architecture with our co-fellows.

Why Mayo: Chosen Mayo Clinic for its world-class educators, balanced clinical experiences, ample research opportunities, and supportive environment that fosters growth among co-fellows and attendings.

Sammudeen Ibrahim, MBChB

Hometown: Savelugu, Ghana

Medical school: University for Development Studies School of Medicine

Residency: Piedmont Athens Regional

Clinical/Research interests: Complex and high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention, patient-centered outcomes research, and geriatric cardiology, with a focus on optimizing cardiovascular care in older and high-risk populations

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Playing soccer and volleyball, catching up on F1, virtual reality games, discovering new restaurants, and hosting BBQ gatherings with friends and family

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic represents the ideal environment to develop as a compassionate and technically skilled cardiologist. I am particularly drawn to Mayo’s commitment to patient-first philosophy, medical education, strong culture of mentorship, evidence-based practice, innovation in complex cardiovascular care, and its incredible research infrastructure, which supports meaningful clinical and outcomes-focused research. The opportunity to train alongside leaders who value both technical excellence and humanism in medicine makes it a natural fit for my personal and professional growth.

Future plans: Interventional and structural cardiology fellowship, with a long-term goal of advancing complex coronary and structural interventions

Min Choon Tan, M.D.

Hometown: Malaysia

Medical school: Chang Gung University

Residency: New York Medical College

Clinical/Research interests: Electrophysiology; outcomes and population-based research

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Playing soccer at the Scottsdale Sports Complex, trying new brunch and gelato places, and day trips to Flagstaff

Why Mayo: Mayo Clinic places the highest priority on patient care and the clinical development of trainees. Additionally, the extensive support/mentorship for clinical research and academic teaching provides a solid foundation for pursuing an academic career pathway. Finally, the collegial work environment at Mayo Clinic in Arizona fosters professional satisfaction and excellence!

Future plans: Electrophysiology fellowship

Hiroshi Sekiguchi, M.D. 

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Medical school: University of Tokyo

Residency: Beth Israel Medical Center

Clinical/Research interests: My clinical and research interests are evolving and currently broad within cardiovascular medicine.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: I enjoy hiking in the surrounding desert and mountain trails and staying active through recreational sports with family and friends.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic for its outstanding educational curriculum, strong mentorship culture, and the breadth of clinical and research opportunities available across all areas of cardiology. The collaborative environment and commitment to excellence strongly align with my professional goals.

Future plans: To be determined, with an interest in pursuing advanced training and an academic career that integrates clinical care, education, and research.

Hussein Noureldine, M.D.

Hometown: Alghassanie, Lebanon

Medical school: Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose-Mary Chagoury School of Medicine

Residency: University of Central Florida

Clinical/Research interests: My clinical and research interests include coronary artery disease, coronary and aortic valve calcium, structural interventional cardiology, and valvular heart disease. I am particularly interested in imaging-based risk stratification and advancing structural interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: I enjoy hiking the trails around the Valley, trying new restaurants, and exploring the mountain regions near Phoenix. The combination of outdoor activities and vibrant local culture makes the area an exciting place to live.

Why Mayo: I chose Mayo Clinic because of its unique integration of outstanding patient care with innovation in research and education. The strong culture of collaboration and emphasis on putting patients first strongly align with my professional values.

Future plans: I plan to pursue an academic career in interventional and structural cardiology, with a focus on clinical research, advanced pati

Momina Iftikhar, M.B.B.S.

Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan 

Medical school: Allama Iqbal Medical College  

Residency: New York Presbyterian/Queens 

Clinical/Research interests: Advanced heart failure

Favorite things to do in Phoenix/Scottsdale: Exploring nature and hiking!

Why Mayo: My first medical school rotation in the U.S. was at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, and it left a lasting impression on me. I was inspired by the expert clinical care, commitment to medical innovation, and unparalleled patient experience that defined every aspect of the institution. That rotation was a major influence in my decision to pursue my training in the U.S., and I feel incredibly fortunate to now be continuing that training here at Mayo. I couldn’t imagine a better place to learn, grow, and come to work every day!

Future plans: Advanced heart failure