Medical College of Wisconsin Adult Congenital Heart Disease Fellowship

The adult congenital heart disease fellowship within the Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin provides superior training in one of the nation’s largest adult congenital heart disease programs. Our objective is to prepare fellows for a career in adult congenital heart disease and continue to train future leaders in this emerging field. During the two-year fellowship, we build on categorical cardiology training from either pediatric or adult cardiology, which allows fellows to master the complexity of adult congenital heart disease. ACHD fellows work with a multidisciplinary team, which also fosters individual career interests. Learn about the Herma Heart Institute

A Message from Our Director

Thank you for your interest in our fellowship program. I believe our program is special in that it combines a world-class, comprehensive cardiac program with a small group feel.

Here’s just a few things you can expect from our ACHD fellowship program:

A comprehensive and in-depth training in congenital heart disease from a variety of experts
Fellows in our program are exposed to the full continuum of ACHD care, seeing patients in the historic Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin, as well as at Froedtert Hospital, a large tertiary referral center. This allows fellows to benefit from expertise in pediatrics and internal medicine. With our program, your curriculum will be tailored to complement your background, ensuring you have equal training in and exposure to both pediatric cardiology and adult congenital cardiology. While cardiologists provide the bulk of education, our fellows also learn a great deal from our cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, sonographers, cath lab techs, and many more.

A tailored approach, customized to your unique clinical interests
During your fellowship, you will be exposed to a wide variety of pathology, from simple bicuspid aortic valves to single ventricles and Eisenmenger’s syndrome. Our fellows are encouraged to tailor the fellowship toward their career interests within adult congenital heart disease. Past fellows have found niches in connective tissue disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, advanced imaging and exercise physiology. Fellows can also participate in our heart disease in pregnancy program, which includes a joint cardiology and MFM clinic, as well as regular case conferences.

An opportunity to present research on national and international stages
In addition to clinical experience, fellows have the opportunity to participate in research and present their findings at national and international conferences. The combined resources of the Herma Heart Institute and Medical College of Wisconsin provide our fellows with support in IRB submission, research design, biostatistics and scientific writing. And, through our involvement with the Adult Alliance for Research in Congenital Cardiology and the Pediatric Heart Network, fellows can participate in a wide range of large multicenter to single center studies.

An urban setting, rich with cultural and social pursuits
Our fellowship experience is set against the backdrop of a vibrant, accessible and dynamic city. Milwaukee as a city is a special place – rich with history and unique neighborhoods. Whether you are interested in top-tier sports teams, award-winning restaurants, an active arts and theatre district, or the beauty of the lakefront of Lake Michigan, there is something for everyone here. As a person with no ties to the area, the laid back and friendly Midwestern vibe was especially welcoming when I first arrived. Individuals here will treat you as if they have known you forever, and the attitude inside the hospital reflects this culture, making it a great place to work.

A strong team full of lifelong friendships and camaraderie
I’m extremely fortunate to work closely with a strong team. Our program is made up of adult congenital cardiologists, ACHD nurses, nurse practitioners, a program coordinator and a social worker. Not only do we work well together in the hospital, but we also enjoy each other’s company outside of work. In the past, our close-knit group has competed in and won the Medical College of Wisconsin softball league championship, and we also compete against each other in our annual chili cook-off.

It is because of our team-based approach that fellows here often develop lifelong friendships with their mentors and colleagues. This makes every graduation from the program somewhat bittersweet for me as fellows move on to use their skills and talents at other premier institutions. But, of course, I am then reinvigorated when I see a former fellow at an ACHD conference, succeeding in our field.

Thank you again for your time, and I hope you are able to visit us in Milwaukee. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Scott Cohen MD, MPH
Associate Professor
Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program
sbcohen@mcw.edu

As an ACHD fellow, you will...

Learn to take care of adult congenital heart disease (CHD) patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings; interpret cardiac MRI and echo for patients with CHD; have exposure to congenital cardiac catheterization procedures; manage cardiac patients during pregnancy; connective tissue disease patients; and manage pulmonary hypertension in patients with CHD.
Identify and develop your personal scholarly interest(s) with close mentorship from faculty.
Attend and ideally present your scholarly activity at regional, national, and international conferences.
Develop your skills teaching patients and families, pediatric cardiology fellows, adult cardiovascular medicine fellows, pediatric and internal medicine residents, and medical students.
Present in our combined surgical and interventional conference and follow a dedicated ACHD curriculum which teaches skills for working in a multi-subspecialty approach and communicate effectively the patient’s management plan.
Work within a large ACHD center with nationally recognized ongoing research and quality improvement initiatives.

About Our Institutions

Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)

The Medical College of Wisconsin brings together the most inquisitive minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to solve the toughest challenges in health and society today. Academic medicine is at the core, where scientists, physicians and students work hand-in-hand with the community to ask the questions no one else is and fuel the continuous cycle of knowledge that’s shaping the future of medicine.

Learn more about MCW

Children’s Wisconsin

Children’s Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We offer a wide range of care and support for children of all ages. Our services include medical care, dental care, child and family counseling, foster care, adoption, social services, child advocacy and injury prevention.

Learn more about Children’s Wisconsin

About Our Fellowship

The Wisconsin Adult Congenital Heart (WAtCH) Program is the largest care team in the state formally trained to care for adults with congenital heart disease. Our program is accredited as an Adult Congenital Heart Association ACHD Accredited Program, demonstrating our ability to meet the highest standards of care.

Our core adult congenital cardiology faculty are uniquely qualified to train future adult congenital heart disease physicians, as they were trained in both internal medicine and pediatrics with subsequent advanced training in pediatric or adult cardiology and then subspecialty training in adult congenital heart disease. All core faculty are board certified in adult congenital heart disease and are on staff at Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The WAtCH Program has been treating patients since 2005 and training fellows since 2010.

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Curriculum

24 months of ACGME-accredited ACHD training.

Core set of ACHD curriculum and tailored pathways tailored to the individual trainee’s background and training. Fellows with a pediatric cardiology background follow the pediatric pathway and adult trained fellows follow the internal medicine pathway.

ACHD Curriculum Pathways (PDF)
ABIM Adult Congenital Heart Disease Policies

Elective opportunities in cardiac MR, cardiac CT, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac anesthesiology, cardiac catheterization, exercise physiology, and more.

A Day in the Life of an ACHD Fellow

Each week an ACHD fellow’s time is divided between scholarly activities and clinical duties.

Scholarly Activities
Scholarly time should be used to develop and complete a clinical research or quality improvement activity. Fellows are mentored by one of the ACHD faculty with the goal to present their work at an ACHD oriented conference, such as the International Symposium in ACHD, the annual American College of Cardiology Sessions, the Midwest Pediatric Cardiology Society Meeting, and the Adult Congenital Heart Association National Conference. Fellows typically have access to some form of financial support toward expenses related to conference attendance.

Clinical Duties
Fellows will rotate through several required blocks, as well as elective opportunities throughout their fellowship. These blocks include Echo/Imaging, Cath, ACHD Inpatient/ACHD clinic, ICU, and Research. Rotations in other specialties as an elective can also be done. These electives can include pulmonary hypertension, advanced heart failure, electrophysiology, or additional advanced imaging or cath time. Depending on the ACHD fellow’s categorical cardiology training they may need to take specific “pediatric” or “adult” cardiology rotations. We have trained fellows with both pathways.

During the ACHD inpatient/ACHD clinic rotation, fellows will develop management plans for complex ACHD patients admitted to the hospital and teach ACHD anatomy and physiology to various levels of trainees. After rounds, fellows attend ACHD clinic and participate in interpreting imaging, labs and other testing as part of developing outpatient management plans.

Fellows also have opportunities to attend Fontan survivorship clinics, combined MFM and Pregnancy clinics, Connective Tissue Clinics and significant exposure to Pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger disease. ACHD fellows take a leadership role and learn to work within a multidisciplinary team. Each fellow will have their own weekly continuity clinic one half day per week.

Taking Call
Typically, fellows take call one weekend per month as part of our in-patient service at Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert hospital. Fellows will also take call two nights each week. Fellows are expected to work one holiday each academic year.

Receiving Feedback
Fellows are provided constructive feedback semi-annually with respect to their achievement of the ACGME milestones. Fellows are encouraged to provide feedback about the program at these sessions as well. Our department is committed to creating learning opportunities that optimize our fellows’ professional growth.

Opportunities to Teach and Learn
In addition to their clinical responsibilities, ACHD fellows will have the opportunity to refine their teaching skills as they work with learners at all levels of medical training. Furthermore, fellows are responsible for presenting cases with imaging at the monthly ACHD Case Symposium and typically are asked to present a general ACHD topic to the general adult cardiology fellows and pediatric cardiology fellows as part of their curriculums. Other opportunities to learn include the monthly ACHD curriculum, participating in the monthly Heart Disease and Pregnancy Conference, attending adult cardiology Grand Rounds and the weekly congenital heart disease surgical case conference.

Application Process

Please use ERAS to apply for the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Fellowship program at Medical College of Wisconsin / Children’s Wisconsin. Applications must include:

CV
Personal statement
Three (3) letters of recommendation
USMLE transcript (+ COMLEX transcript, for DO applicants)

ERAS has a place for each of these required documents to be uploaded. We participate in the NRMP match.

Apply on ERAS

Clinical Experience

Inpatient

Patients are admitted to both Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital, based on considerations of comorbidities and adult congenital heart disease complexity.
3 Congenital Surgeons
> 200 hospital admissions per year
> 70 surgeries/interventions per year.
Care for ACHD patients during medical and post-operative admissions
Care for ACHD patients during pregnancy
Coordination of multidisciplinary care with multiple subspecialties

Outpatient

Daily ACHD clinic during ACHD rotations
Over 2,500 clinic visits per year
Multidisciplinary Heart Disease in Pregnancy Program
Marfan and Related Connective Tissue Disorders Program
Fontan Survivorship and Advanced Therapies Program
ACHD Nurse-Directed Transition Program for adolescent pediatric cardiology patients. We include virtual reality in our education of patients and families about specific types of congenital heart disease.
Experts in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Lysosomal Storage Disease
Opportunities to attend outreach ACHD clinics that serve patients throughout Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Imaging

10,000 congenital heart echocardiograms annually at Children’s Wisconsin
Perform preoperative and postoperative transesophageal echocardiograms in the OR
Participate in structural and interventional transesophageal echocardiograms
Dual ACHD and Level III CMR faculty
Over 500 CMR annually at Children’s Wisconsin

Educational Experience

Fellows are invited to attend categorical educational sessions offered by pediatric and adult cardiology programs. Highlights include a joint pediatric and adult cardiology MRI imaging conference, multidisciplinary Heart Disease in Pregnancy conference, multidisciplinary Fontan conference, adult complex case review (combined structural cath and surgical conference), pediatric cardiology echo review, monthly ACHD Core Curriculum, and adult cardiology grand rounds.

ACHD Fellow Conference Calendar (PDF)
ACHD Webinar

Living and Learning in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is one of the best-kept secrets and a prime location for the Medical College of Wisconsin’s main campus. A one-of-a-kind city with a vibrant and diverse culture, this charming, yet metropolitan, must-see is just 90 minutes north of Chicago and nestled on the coast of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re catching a show at Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival, immersing yourself in the old world charm of the Historic Third Ward, or taking in the sights and sounds of one of the may cafes, beer gardens, or restaurants that line the city’s riverbank and shoreline, Milwaukee never disappoints. Find out why Medical College of Wisconsin’s students, faculty, and employees take pride in calling Milwaukee home.

More about Milwaukee

Our Faculty

Our core ACHD faculty have been awarded for their teaching and mentoring, recognized with numerous awards for Best Doctor and Expert Clinician among other honors.

Scott Cohen, MD, MPH
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Medical Director, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Fellowship Program Director, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Brown University, Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2003-2007
- Brown University, Adult Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, 2007-2010
- Brown University, Preventative Cardiology, 2010-2011
- Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2011-2012
Interests: Pulmonary hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, echocardiography, adult cardiology, pregnancy

Peter Bartz, MD
Professor, Pediatrics & Medicine (Cardiology), Medical College of Wisconsin
Chief, Pediatric Cardiology
Leigh Gabrielle Herma Endowed Chair and Co-Director, Herma Heart Institute, Children's Wisconsin
Associate Chief Medical Officer-Ambulatory, Children’s Wisconsin
- Western Michigan University, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency, 1999-2003
- Mayo Clinic, Pediatric Cardiology Disease Fellowship, 2003-2006
Interests: Pediatric cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, echocardiography

Matthew Buelow, MD
Medical Director for Regional Services – Northeast, Children’s Specialty Group
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2009-2013
- Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2013-2016
Interests: Pediatric cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, echocardiography

Jennifer Gerardin, MD
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
- Michigan State University/Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2006-2010
- University of Minnesota Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2012-2015
- Emory University ACHD Fellowship, 2015-2017
- Emory University, Level III trained CMR and Level II trained Cardiac CT, 2015-2017
Interests: Pediatric cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, lysosomal storage disease, cardiac MR and cardiac CT

Salil Ginde, MD, MPH
Marfan and Related Connective Tissue Disorders Director
Fontan Survivorship and Advanced Therapies Program Co-Director
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
- University of Chicago Medical Center Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2005-2009
- Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2009-2012
- Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2012-2013
Interests: Pediatric cardiology, adult congenital heart disease, echocardiography, connective tissue disease, long term complications of single ventricle patients

Bradley R. Johnson, MD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency, 2015-2019
- Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship 2019-2022
- Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship 2022-2024

Our Alumni

Catherine Weinberg, MD
St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, Internal Medicine Residency, 2004-2007
St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, 2007-2010
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2010-2011
Current Position: Dr. Weinberg is the Program Director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program and High Risk Cardiovascular Obstetrics at Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health. Hempstead, New York.

Scott Cohen, MD, MPH
Brown University, Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2003-2007
Brown University, Adult Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, 2007-2010
Brown University, Preventative Cardiology, 2010-2011
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2011-2012
Current Position: Dr. Cohen is the Medical Director of the ACHD Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin. He is also the Director of the ACHD Fellowship and the Co-Director of the Heart Disease in Pregnancy Program. Practices in adult cardiology and ACHD cardiology.

Salil Ginde, MD, MPH
University of Chicago Medical Center Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2005-2009
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2009-2012
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2012-2013
Current Position: Associate Medical Director of the ACHD Program and Medical Director of the Marfan and Related Connective Tissue Disorders Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin. He is also Co-Director of the Fontan Survivorship and Advanced Therapies Program at Children’s Wisconsin. Practices pediatric and ACHD cardiology.

Jonathan Cramer, MD
University of Louisville, Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2006-2010
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2010-2013
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2013-2014
Current Position: Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program Director at University of Omaha. Practices pediatric and ACHD cardiology.

Daniel Cox, DO
Maine Medical Center, Internal Medicine Pediatric Residency, 2008-2011
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2011-2014
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2014-2015
Current Position: Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program Director at University of Utah. Practices pediatric and ACHD cardiology.

Roni Jacobsen, MD
Phoenix Children’s Hospital/Maricopa Medical Center
Internal Medicine Pediatrics Residency, 2008-2012
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, 2012-2015
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2015-2017
Current Position: Pediatric and ACHD Faculty at University of Colorado/Children’s Hospital of Colorado

Eve Chongthammakun, MD
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Internal Medicine Residency, 2012-2015
Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami, Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, 2015-2018
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2018-2020
Current Position: Practices ACHD, adult cardiology, and Cardiac MR at Centra Health, Lynchburg, Virginia

James Kimber, DO
Lehigh Valley Health Network, Internal Medicine Residency, 2014-2017
Lehigh Valley Health Network, Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, 2017-2020
Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship, 2019-2021
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Heart & Vascular Institute. Practices ACHD and adult cardiology.

Bradley R. Johnson, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency, 2015-2019
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship 2019-2022
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals/Children’s Wisconsin ACHD Fellowship 2022-2024
Current Position: Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Practices ACHD and adult cardiology.

Research Experience

All fellows are expected to finish a core research project during their two year fellowship. These projects allow the fellows to develop a niche within adult congenital heart disease and further our field. The faculty are involved in local projects as well as multicenter research through the AARCC and the Pediatric Heart Network.

Past fellows have presented their research at national and international conferences, including the American College of Cardiology, the International Society of Adult Congenital Heart Disease, the American Heart Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and the American Society of Echocardiography. The WAtCH Program has been awarded highly competitive research grants and published nearly 50 adult congenital heart disease articles in the last decade.

We prioritize quality improvement as part of our dedication to safe and effective care. The Herma Heart Institute supports multiple QI projects for outpatient and inpatient care.

ACHD Publications/Original Papers

Multi-Center

Misra A, Rodriguez-Monserrate CP, Gauvreau K, Dellborg M, Fusco F, Gupta T, Kay J, Kutty S, Kauling RM, Nicolarsen J, Roos-Hesselink J, John AS, Wong J, Burchill LJ, Krieger EV, Lubert AM, Gallego P, Kuo M, Aboulhosn J, Cramer J, Antonova P, Baker D, Dehghani P, Opotowsky AR, van Dissel A, Grewal J, Yeung E, Fernandes S, GINDE S, Khairy P, Han F, Muhll IV, Wilson WM, Kay WA, Pylypchuk S, Sarubbi B, O'Donnell C, Rodriguez F 3rd, Jayadeva PS, Celermajer DS, Shah S, Cotts T, DeZorzi C, Magalski A, Valente AM, Broberg CS. Propensity Score Analysis of Possible Medication Effects on Outcomes in Patients With Systemic Right Ventricles. JACC Adv. 2025 Jan;4(1):101443. PMCID: PMC11699599

Aldweib N, Deghani P, Broberg CS, van Dissel A, Altibi A, Wong J, Baker D, GINDE S, Khairy P, Opotowsky AR, Shah S, Magalski A, Cramer J, Kauling RM, Dellborg M, Krieger EV, Yeung E, Roos-Hesselink J, Aboulhosn J, Nicolarsen J, Masha L, Gallego P, Celermajer DS, Kay J, Vonder Muhll I, Jameson SM, O'Donnell C, Fusco F, John AS, Macon C, Antonova P, Cotts T, Sarubbi B, Rodriguez F 3rd, DeZorzi C, Jayadeva PS, Kuo M, Kutty S, Gupta T, Burchill LJ, Rodriguez Monserrate CP, Lubert AM, Grewal J, Pylypchuk S, Belkin MN, Wilson WM. Prognostic Significance of Hemodynamics in Patients With Transposition of the Great Arteries and Systemic Right Ventricle. Circ Heart Fail. 2024 Sep;17(9):e011882. PMCID: PMC11408092

Kim YY, Lluri G, Haeffele C, Daugherty T, Krasuski RA, Serfas JD, de Freitas RA, Porlier A, Lubert AM, Wu FM, Valente AM, Krieger EV, Buber J, Rodriguez FH 3rd, Gaignard S, Saraf A, Hindes M, Earing MG, Lewis MJ, Rosenbaum MS, Zaidi AN, Hopkins K, Bradley EA, Cedars AM, Ko JL, Franklin WJ, Frederickson A, GINDE S, Grewal J, Nyman A, Min J, Schluger C, Rand E, Rosenthal BE, Hilscher M, Rychik J, Hoteit MA. Hepatocellular carcinoma in survivors after Fontan operation: a case-control study. Eur Heart J. 2024 Apr 21;45(16):1477-1480. PMCID: PMC11491280

Fusco F, Krasuski R, Soraya S, Rosenbaum MS, et al., including COHEN S. COVID-19 related coagulopathy in adults with congenital heart disease. JACC Adv. 2023 Nov 21;2(10):100701

van Dissel AC, Opotowsky AR, Burchill LJ, Aboulhosn J, Grewal J, Lubert AM, Antonova P, Shah S, Cotts T, John AS, Kay WA, DeZorzi C, Magalski A, Han F, Baker D, Kay J, Yeung E, Vonder Muhll I, Pylypchuk S, Kuo MC, Nicolarsen J, Sarubbi B, Fusco F, Jameson SM, Cramer J, Gupta T, Gallego P, O'Donnell C, Hannah J, Dellborg M, Kauling RM, GINDE S, Krieger EV, Rodriguez F, Dehghani P, Kutty S, Wong J, Wilson WM, Rodriguez-Monserrate CP, Roos-Hesselink J, Celermajer DS, Khairy P, Broberg CS. End-stage heart failure in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: a multicentre study. Eur Heart J. 2023 Sep 07;44(34):3278-3291. PMCID: PMC10482567

Cook SC, Saidi A, Harisman SS, Madder RD, et al., including COHEN S. Pre-procedural ANxiety In adults with Congenital heart disease: The PANIC Study. JACC Adv. 2023 Sep 1;2(7):100589

Panigrahy A, Schmithorst V, Ceschin R, Lee V, Beluk N, Wallace J, et al., including COHEN S. Design and Harmonization Approach for the Multi-Institutional Neurocognitive Discovery Study (MINDS) of Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Neuroimaging Ancillary Study: A Technical Note. J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2023 Sep,10(9):381.

COHEN S, Gurvitz M, Burns K, et al., Design of A Multi-Institutional Neurocognitive Discovery Study in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (MINDS-ACHD). Am Heart J April 2023;262:131-139.

Broberg CS, van Dissel A, Minnier J, Aboulhosn J, Kauling RM, GINDE S, Krieger EV, Rodriguez F 3rd, Gupta T, Shah S, John AS, Cotts T, Kay WA, Kuo M, Dwight C, Woods P, Nicolarsen J, Sarubbi B, Fusco F, Antonova P, Fernandes S, Grewal J, Cramer J, Khairy P, Gallego P, O'Donnell C, Hannah J, Dellborg M, Rodriguez-Monserrate CP, Muhll IV, Pylypchuk S, Magalski A, Han F, Lubert AM, Kay J, Yeung E, Roos-Hesselink J, Baker D, Celermajer DS, Burchill LJ, Wilson WM, Wong J, Kutty S, Opotowsky AR. Long-Term Outcomes After Atrial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 Sep 06;80(10):951-963.

Basmaji S, Samuel M, Shohoudi A, Hamilton RM, Aboulhosn J, Broberg CS, et al including COHEN S.; Alliance for Adult Research in Congenital Cardiology (AARCC). Time in Therapeutic Range With Vitamin K Antagonists in Congenital Heart Disease: A Multicentre Study. Can J Cardiol. 2022 Nov;38(11):1751-1758. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.08.004. Epub 2022 Aug 11. PMID: 35964887

Harrison D, Uzark K, Gaivreai K, Yu S, Lowery R, Yetman AT, et al including COHEN S. Transition readiness in congenital heart disease: Are teens and young adults getting the recommended information? IJC Congenital Heart Disease. 2022 Mar; Volume 7. Article 100311.

Alsaied T, Rathod RH, Aboulhosn JA, Budts W, Anderson JB, Baumgartner H, Brown DW, Cordina R, D'udekem Y, GINDE S, Goldberg DJ, Goldstein BH, Lubert AM, Oechslin E, Opotowsky AR, Rychik J, Schumacher KR, Valente AM, Wright G, Veldtman GR. Reaching consensus for unified medical language in Fontan care. ESC Heart Fail. 2021 Oct;8(5):3894-3905. PMCID: PMC8497335

Girnius A, Zentner D, Valente AM, Pieper PG, Economy KE, Ladouceur, et al including COHEN S. Bleeding and thrombotic risk in pregnant women with Fontan physiology. Heart. 2021 Sep;107(17):1390-1397.

Egbe AC, Miranda WR, Devara J, Shaik L, Iftikhar M, Goda Sakr A, John A, Cedars A, Rodriguez F 3rd, Moore JP, Russell M, Grewal J, GINDE S, Lubert AM, Connolly HM, Alliance for Adult Research in Congenital Cardiology (AARCC) investigators. Recurrent sustained atrial arrhythmias and thromboembolism in Fontan patients with total cavopulmonary connection. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2021 Apr;33:100754. PMCID: PMC7988316

Broberg CS, Kovacs AH, Sadeghi S, Rosenbaum MS, Lewis MJ, Carazo MR, et al including COHEN S. COVID-19 in adults with congenital heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Apr 6;77(13):1644-1655.

Harrison D, Gurvitz M, Yu S, Lowery R, Afton K, Yetman AT, et al including COHEN S. Differences in perceptions of transition readiness between parents and teens with congenital heart disease: Do parents and teens agree? Cardiol Young. 2021 Jan;11:1-8.

Possner M, Gordon-Walker T, Egbe AC, Poterucha JT, Warnes CA, Connolly HM, GINDE S, Clift P, Kogon B, Book WM, Walker N, Wagenaar LJ, Moe T, Oechslin E, Kay WA, Norris M, Dillman JR, Trout AT, Anwar N, Hoskoppal A, Broering DC, Bzeizi K, Veldtman G. Hepatocellular carcinoma and the Fontan circulation: Clinical presentation and outcomes. Int J Cardiol. 2021 Jan 01;322:142-148

Riggs KW, Colohan DB, Beacher DR, Alsaied T, Powell S, Moore RA, GINDE S, Tweddell JS. Mid-term Outcomes of the Supported Ross Procedure in Children, Teenagers, and Young Adults. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2020 Autumn;32(3):498-504.

Alsaied T, Allen KY, Anderson JB, Anixt JS, Brown DW, Cetta F, Cordina R, D'udekem Y, Didier M, GINDE S, Di Maria MV, Eversole M, Goldberg D, Goldstein BH, Hoffmann E, Kovacs AH, Lannon C, Lihn S, Lubert AM, Marino BS, Mullen E, Pickles D, Rathod RH, Rychik J, Tweddell JS, Wooton S, Wright G, Younoszai A, Glenn T, Wilmoth A, Schumacher K. The Fontan outcomes network: first steps towards building a lifespan registry for individuals with Fontan circulation in the United States - CORRIGENDUM. Cardiol Young. 2020 Sep;30(9):1381.

Uzark K, Sunkyung Y, Lowery R, Afton K, Yetman AT, Cramer J, et al including COHEN S. Transition readiness in teens and young adults with congenital heart disease: Can we make a difference? J Pediatr. 2020 Jun;221:201-6.

Sachdeva R, Valente AM, Armstrong AK, Cook SC, Han BK, Lopez L, et al including COHEN S. Appropriate use criteria for multimodality imaging during the follow-up care of patients with congenital heart disease: A report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee and Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, Heart Rhythm Society, International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Pediatric Echocardiography. J Am College of Cardiology. 2020 Feb;75(6):657-703.

Single Center

Sweeney D, Cohen S, Ginde S, Gerardin J, Bartz P, Buelow M. Delivery Outcomes in Non-Tertiary Referral Centers for Women with Congenital Heart Disease. Congenital Heart Disease. 2023 June;18(3):315-323.

Spearman AD, Ginde S. Pulmonary Vascular Sequelae of Palliated Single Ventricle Circulation: Arteriovenous Malformations and Aortopulmonary Collaterals. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2022 Sep 17;9(9). PMCID: PMC9501802

Chongthammakun V, Pan AY, Earing MG, Damluji AA, Goot BH, Cava JR, GERARDIN JF. The association between cardiac magnetic resonance-derived aortic stiffness parameters and aortic dilation in young adults with bicuspid aortic valve: With and without coarctation of aorta. Am Heart J Plus. 2022 Aug;20:100194. PMCID: PMC10978397

Jacobsen RM, Beacher D, Beacher L, Earing MG, Ginde S, Bartz PJ, Cohen S. The Impact of and Barriers to Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Cardiac Surgery in the Adult With Congenital Heart Disease. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2022 Mar 01;42(2):115-119.

Gerardin J, Cohen S. Counseling for perinatal outcomes in women with congenital heart disease. Clin Perinatol. 2022 Jan;49(1):43-53.

Bushee C, Ginde S, Earing MG, Buelow M, Reinhardt E, Cohen S. Changes in care patterns associated with a transition program in adolescents with congenital heart disease: A single center study. Progr Pediatr Cardiol. 2021 Sep;62. Article 101343.

Beacher D, Frommelt P, Brosig C, Zhang J, Simpson P, Hraska V, Ginde S. Impact of Valve Type (Ross vs. Mechanical) on Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Young Adults with Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement. Pediatr Cardiol. 2021 Jun;42(5):1119-1125.

Drake M, Ginde S, Cohen S, Bartz P, Sowinski J, Reinhardt E, Saleska T, Earing MG. Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatr Cardiol. 2020 Apr;41(4):724-728.

Our Fellowship in Pictures

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EQuIP Course

Our fellow and other members of the ACHD team participated in the EQuIP (Excellence in Quality Improvement Principles) course.

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Adult Congenital Heart Association Regional Conference

Our ACHD program hosted an Adult Congenital Heart Association Regional Conference in November 2019. The agenda included several ACHD attending presentations, as well as break-out sessions about topics such as Transition/Transfer and Family Planning/Pregnancy.

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Outside of Work

Our ACHD team enjoys spending time together outside of work. This includes outings, Brewers games, and chili cook-offs.

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Echocardiogram Imaging

Dr. Salil Ginde and Lindsey Katzmark, APNP, reviewing an echocardiogram.

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Graduation!

The ACHD team loves a celebration! This was a graduation party for our fellow, Dr. Eve Chongthammakun.

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Team Partnerships

Attending physician, Dr. Jennifer Gerardin (left), with ACHD past fellow, Dr. Eve Chongthammakun

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Halloween Costume Contest

Every Halloween Children’s Wisconsin hosts a costume contest and the ACHD program displayed our creativity by participating using handmade costumes.

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Fellowship Team Members

Three of our ACHD nurse clinicians: Tara Saleska, Emily Reinhardt, and Jane Sowinski

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An Evening Out

Our ACHD team took advantage of a beautiful evening to have dinner together.

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Patient Care

Dr. Peter Bartz examining a patient in clinic.

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Patient Care

Nurse practitioner, Melanie Parent, reviewing an echocardiogram with her patient.

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Echocardiogram Imaging

Dr. Scott Cohen with nurse practitioner Melanie Parent reviewing a patient’s echocardiogram.

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Patient Care

Dr. Bradley Johnson examining a patient in clinic.

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The ACHD program at MCW provides excellent mentorship, clinical training and vast research opportunities. Having such a well established program was an important reason for my decision to stay at MCW for ACHD fellowship. The program offers strong relationships with both the pediatric and adult cardiology programs which provides an excellent clinical training experience for ACHD fellows. Fellows are able to participate in multidisciplinary conferences, didactics, and research projects with the mentorship of nationally recognized faculty. The people of the program make it a wonderful place to come to work every day. Besides having a great training program, Milwaukee is also a great family friendly city with something for everyone from sports, restaurants and entertainment.

Brad Johnson, MD, Past Fellow

Meet Our Fellowship Team

In addition to core ACHD faculty, fellows learn from an extensive multidisciplinary team which involves pediatric and adult cardiology programs, interventional cardiology electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, heart failure/transplant, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac intensive care, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac anesthesia, OBGYN/MFM, genetic counselors, and more.