Categorical Fellows
Khaled Shams Abdelmagid, M.D.
2023-2025
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: I felt that their model of hard work and dedication is the closest to my work ethics and style.
Outside of work, I spend time at the gym or sampling the local cuisine.
Favorite quote: “Hard work gotta pay, right!!”
Hometown: Giza in Cairo, Egypt where the “real” pyramids are (not Vegas)
Medical School: Cairo Univesity
Residency: Cairo University and University of Alabama (UAB)
Fellowship: PICU fellowship at Children’s National, DC
Clinical focus: I focus on Cardiac Intensive Critical Care. My specific focus there is going to be “Fluid Removal”
Research Interest: Intensive Care
Timothy Nissen, D.O.
2022-2025
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: I knew I would get excellent training by working at the state’s only pediatric cardiac surgical center, with faculty who like to teach.
Outside of work, Wrangling young children, running, reading, or working in our yard.
Favorite quote: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Medical School: Oklahoma State University
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Clinical focus: Advanced Cardiac Imaging
Research Interest: Advanced Cardiac Imaging
Thomas Fiedorek, M.D.
2023-2026
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: the people who work within the Cardiology section are phenomenal to work with and learn from. Additionally, ACH is a high-volume center with unlimited learning opportunities.
Outside of work, I spend my time fly fishing on the many rivers in Arkansas.
Favorite quote: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” –Vince Lombardi
Hometown: Little Rock, AR
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Clinical Focus: Cardiac ICU and Interventional Cardiology
Research Interest: Cardiology Education
Alaa Ismail, M.D.
2023-2026
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: I was impressed with the friendly work environment and all the available resources to provide the best care for kids with congenital heart disease.
Outside of work, I spend my time with my family trying to have a quality time with my kids. I also enjoy cooking and reading.
Favorite quote: “The most important 2 days of your life the day you’re born and the day you find why?” Mark Twain
Hometown: I am originally from Khartoum, which is the capital of Sudan, which is a very beautiful country in Africa
Medical School: Omdurman Islamic University
Residency: University of Florida, Pensacola program
Clinical focus: Noninvasive cardiac imaging and fetal cardiology
Research Interest: Noninvasive cardiac imaging and fetal cardiology
Abdelrahman Masri, M.B.B.S.
2023-2026
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: It is such an amazing place to train, see and do everything, and learn from exceptional teachers.
Outside of work, I spend my time exploring new trails with my wife, and recovering from overuse injuries I get with running.
Favorite quote: “for God is with those who are mindful of Him and who do good.”
Hometown: Nablus, Palestine, and Amman, Jordan
Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine
Residency: The Metro-Health System/Case Western Reserve University
Clinical focus: Everything Cardiology, mostly electrophysiology and interventional cardiology
Research Interest: Electrophysiology and interventional cardiology
Benjamin Theisen D.O.
2024-2027
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: the volume and variety of the clinical work offer top tier training opportunities, and the faculty both professionally and personally are as good as they come.
Outside of work, I spend my time with my wife and our young son, watching football or hockey, or getting out and exploring Little Rock and central Arkansas.
Favorite quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Hometown: Howell, MI
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Clinical focus: Undecided at this point, but CVICU and imaging have been the most interesting to me so far.
Research Interest: Undecided
Lubaina Ehsan M.B.B.S.
2024-2027
I chose Arkansas Children’s Hospital because: Everyone during the interview process was incredibly welcoming and echoed how the program supports the fellows achieve their fullest potential. I also wanted to train at Arkansas Children’s as it serves a diverse patient population, with cases that could range from simple bread and butter cardiology to the rare zebras.
Outside of work, I spend my time: Road trips with my husband, watercolor painting, and playing team sports.
Favorite quote: “It’s leviOsa, not levioSA!” – Hermione Granger
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Residency: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Clinical focus: Advanced Imaging
Research Interest: Advanced Imaging
Advanced Imaging Fellow
Emily Sanders, M.D.
2024-2025
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Fellowship: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Research Interest: Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Cardiac Intensive Care Fellowship
Matthew Smith, M.D.
2024-2025
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta
Residency: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta
Fellowship: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Research Interest: Critical Cardiac Intensive Care
Ethan Gillett, M.D.
2024-2025
Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Fellowship: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Research Interest: Critical Cardiac Intensive Care