Enabling this provides you with more accurate distances to providers and locations
Get to know our fellows
Our fellows are a diverse group from a variety of backgrounds with unique experiences and interests. We look forward to getting to know you as well!
Class of 2025
Mahrukh Akram, MBBS
Hometown: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Residency: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I completed my Internal Medicine Residency here at Spectrum Health and was able to work with the Cardiology faculty and fellows in a number of different settings - the broad range of clinical pathologies we see here and the friendly environment meant I didn't want to go anywhere else for fellowship!
What are your clinical interests? I am currently keeping an open mind and exploring the various sub-specialties Cardiology has to offer, including interventional, imaging and electrophysiology.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy cooking and reading. There is also a lot of natural beauty to explore and appreciate around Grand Rapids.
Amy Rechenberg, MD
Hometown: Hebron, IL
Residency: Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? Initially, friends drew me to Grand Rapids with its big-city benefits, yet small-town feel and being surrounded by nature. What helped seal the deal of me choosing Spectrum for IM residency was the inviting people, impressive hospital and offered fellowships. During my residency, I was blown away by the support and encouraging mentors I gained within medicine and unintentionally in cardiology. Even during the many surges of COVID, the cardiology department consistently displayed their passion and emphasis on teaching. Curiosity was welcomed and I always felt comfortable asking questions. There was no doubt that if I trained as a cardiology fellow at Spectrum, I would graduate with the ability and confidence to address any case sent my way. Now as a fellow, I'm realizing the importance of the outstanding volume of cases and hands on experience we gain as well as the program's unwavering collegial environment. I love where I'm at and honestly do not believe there is a better program.
What are your clinical interests? I have a long list of interests within cardiology. Areas that currently come to the forefront are Advanced Imaging, Interventional, Clinical Cards, EP, Critical Care and Preventative.
Hobbies: I enjoy kayaking with my puppy and husband, attempting new winter activities with my sister (ex-luge in Muskegon), bonfires with friends, trying new foods and drinks and going on adventures!
Mazin Habhab, MD
Hometown: Dearborn, MI
Residency: Indiana University
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health because of the incredible training and friendly faculty. The emphasis on fellow education and hands on training is unmatched and truly makes this place unique. In addition, Grand Rapids is a fun and easy to live in city, with many amenities and delicious restaurants.
What are your clinical interests? I am interested in cardiovascular imaging and interventional cardiology.
Hobbies: My hobbies include working out, reading, hanging out with friends and watching sports.
Class of 2022
Joseph Banno, MD
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Residency: University of Pennsylvania
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health to continue my training because of the people. Every other aspect of the program provides a complete general cardiology training and doing it with such great people will make the journey that much more special.
What are your clinical interests? My main clinical interest include electrophysiology, sarcoidosis and sudden death. I would like to be a proceduralist in the future. I also like cardiology critical care and management of shock with particular interest in mechanical support.
Hobbies: My hobbies include basketball, yoga, running, cooking and playing video games.
Ryan Ber, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Residency: Temple University Hospitals
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? Choosing Spectrum Health for cardiology fellowship was a no-brainer! The largest academic network in West Michigan, world-class facilities, an up-and-coming expanding small city and the welcoming faculty with a passion for teaching made it an easy choice.
What are your clinical interests? My current clinical interests are in the field of interventional cardiology; using CDT for the management of Lower-extremity DVTs as well as PEs.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy running (before moving to Grand Rapids, along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia), climbing, a good swim and new local places to enjoy coffee.
Trisha Gomez, MD
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Residency: Cook County Health and Hospitals System
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health because all subspecialties of cardiology are well-represented throughout the training. During the interview, everyone was very friendly and they felt like family to me. Since matching, the support we have been getting from the program has been great and the resources available to us are more than adequate to prepare us for training.
What are your clinical interests? I am still undecided but I'm leaning towards advanced heart failure.
Hobbies: I love traveling and exploring countries I have never visited. I also like trying out new restaurants and discovering new recipes to cook. And sometimes, I just enjoy binge watching TV series at home.
Hassan Saleh, MD
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Residency: University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I choose Spectrum Health because of the facilities, the volume and content of cases and the faculty. I knew I wanted to be at a program with high volume and advanced cases and given the volume of patients on advanced cardiac support I knew I would get a great scope of practice here.
What are your clinical interests? My clinical interests include cardiology, heart failure and critical care
Hobbies: I enjoy wood working, biking, music, traveling, NBA and NFL.
Class of 2023
Rajus Chopra, MD
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Residency: MedStar Georgetown/Washington Hospital Center
Why did you choose Spectrum Health? Spectrum Health is a patient centered institution with a focus on education and training, which is exactly what I wanted in a program. Spectrum Health is also very innovative and a leader in research.
What do you like most about your program? I'm looking forward to advancing my knowledge in cardiovascular diseases and training with the wonderful faculty and staff.
Clinical Interests: Preventative Cardiology and Imaging are my clinical interests.
Living in West Michigan: All the natural beauty of West Michigan and the wonderful people is what makes me excited to live here.
Hobbies: My favorite hobby is watching and participating in sporting activities. I also thoroughly enjoy cooking and learning new recipes.
Eesha Purohit MD
Hometown: Terre Haute, IN
Residency: Indiana University
Why did you choose Spectrum Health? I chose Spectrum Health for cardiology fellowship because of the people. When I was a resident I became good friends with an infectious disease fellow who had done residency at Spectrum Health and she only had good things to say. When I interviewed everyone was friendly and welcoming and I got the impression that this was a place I would want to train at and stay.
What do you like most about your program? I am looking forward to learning and building new relationships.
Clinical Interests: I love all cardiology and am still deciding what I would want to specialize in, right now I am between interventional and electrophysiology.
Living in West Michigan: I am excited to be near the lake and also looking forward to getting in some good hiking!
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family, working out, tennis, board games, zumba and hiking.
Marvin Kajy MD
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
Residency: Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University
Why did you choose Spectrum Health? I chose Spectrum Health for my fellowship training for multiple reasons. It is a tertiary care center that offers all subspecialties of cardiology and thereby exposing the fellow to all aspects of cardiology. The faculty foster an environment of learning and mentorship. It has great research opportunities. Out of all the programs that I interviewed at, I felt that this program would provide me with the greatest opportunity to grow as a physician.
What do you like most about your program? I am looking forward to an exciting year where I can learn how to manage a range of cardiac conditions and learn how to perform cardiovascular procedures.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests are mechanical circulatory support, anticoagulation, atrial fibrillation and advanced heart failure.
Living in West Michigan: The people are very nice and the area caters to many interests. You can do many outdoor activities, enjoy arts and music, play professional sport and enjoy the local food scene.
Hobbies: My hobbies are playing soccer, running and watching movies.
Graduates
Class of 2022
Malav Parikh, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
Lahdan Refahiyat, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
Chris Madison, Advanced Imaging Fellowship, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
Class of 2021
Stephen Wilkinson, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
David Bryska, Interventional Fellowship, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Jose Rios Salcido, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University
Class of 2020
Adnan Kassier, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Ascension Borgess, Kalamazoo, MI
Jose Tan, Advanced Cardiac Imaging/Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fellowship, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI
Manivannan Veerasamy, Non-Invasive Cardiologist, The Heart Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, GA
