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 2024

Jason Hernandez
Jason E. Hernandez, MD

Hometown: New York, New York

Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine

Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I knew I wanted to be a pediatric cardiologist since my intern year. I'm fascinated with the physiology of the heart and enjoy the challenges of managing complex cardiac pathology. I knew Spectrum Health was where I wanted to train because of the excellent faculty and broad exposure I would have as a fellow.

What are your clinical interests? I'm interested in interventional cardiology as well as cardiac intensive care.

Hobbies: When I'm not in the hospital, you can find me trying out a new restaurant or traveling. I love to go biking and just spending time with my wife and our tuxedo cat named Peppercorn. We also are huge Disney fans!

Alexandra Menillo, DO
Alexandra Menillo, DO

Hometown: Monvtille, NJ

Medical school: Kansas City University

Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? Helen DeVos Children's Hospital is a large children's hospital with all the bells and whistles that still has a community feel. After completing my undergraduate collegiate career at a BIG10 university, it was important for me to further pursue my training at a hospital that has strong ties to the research and academia of a BIG10 university system. Additionally, I like how the department has a separate cardiac intensive care unit which will allow for me to be extremely involved in the critical care of our patients. I am looking forward to learning from a group of internationally-trained faculty.

What are your clinical interests? I am interested in cardiac catheterization and critical care.

Hobbies: I do yoga, pilates and spin. I also love watching all sports, especially the New York Yankees.

Class of 2023

Josue Diaz-Frias, MD
Josue Diaz-Frias, MD

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Medical School: Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Why did you choose Spectrum Health? In my professional career I strive for dedication and discipline while trying to accomplish my goals. It is important to train in a place that can provide you the necessary tools to continue growing in order to be a successful physician. And another important key for this development is to train with excellent faculty and ancillary staff, that will help and nourish my passion for medicine. These are a few reasons I decided to pursue my fellowship at Spectrum Health.

What do you like most about your program? I look forward to enhance my skills in medicine, specifically into the field of pediatric cardiology. Work at a friendly and enthusiastic environment that will continue to contribute in my personal growth. Actively participate in research with opportunity to present at national pediatric conferences. Help shaping the program and the future incoming residents and fellows.

Clinical Interests: I'm interested broadly with pediatric cardiology, because is a field that offers multiple areas of interdisciplinary work. At the present time I'm looking forward to learn more about general pediatric cardiology, with particular interest on adult congenital heart disease, interventional cardiology and imaging.

Living in West Michigan: I'm looking forward to explore the area, that offers a variety of entertainment, performing arts and a combination of nature and city life.

Hobbies: My other passion besides medicine is music. I used to play violin & viola at the Juvenile Symphonic Orchestra of the University of Ciudad Juarez. I still play the guitar in my free time as much as I can. I also believe that part of having a healthy mind is to have healthy habits so I tried to do exercise often and I really enjoy it. I like swimming, playing soccer, running, dancing, and also playing chess.

Ahmad Khalil, MD
Ahmad Khalil, MD

Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Medical School: Hashemite University Faculty of Medicine, Jordan

Why did you choose Spectrum Health? Spectrum Health Helen Devos Children's Hospital is a big children's hospital with different expertise available and has a separate pediatric cardiac critical care unit which will be valuable for my training. Also, it was important for me to stay around my family in Michigan.

What do you like most about your program? Being the first class for pediatric cardiology fellowship and helping in forming the structure of the program. My clinical interests are Cardiac Critical Care

Clinical Interests: My clinical interests are cardiac critical care.

Living in West Michigan: I still need to explore it more! However, I hear great things.

Hobbies: My hobbies are playing and watching soccer and playing video games!