(4th-Year Interventional Cardiology Fellow): Kamel was born and raised in Lebanon, and attended the American University of Beirut for medical school. After medical school, he moved to Baltimore to do research at John Hopkins for 3 years before applying to residency. His pediatric residency and general cardiology fellowship were completed at the University of Iowa. Kamel is a die-hard Real Madrid fan, and his free time is spent either watching or playing soccer. He and his wife have a dog and three cats, and are all very excited to be in San Diego!
Elizabeth LaSalle, MD
(3rd-Year Categorical Fellow): Elizabeth “Libby” is originally from Colorado and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). Libby continued at Georgetown University earning her Medical Degree. She completed her residency in pediatrics at Rainbow Babies prior to joining UCSD/Rady Children’s Hospital for her fellowship in pediatric cardiology. Libby’s hobbies/interests are hiking, camping, and cooking.
Heidi Ostler, MD
(3rd-Year Categorical Fellow): Heidi is originally from Utah and earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Utah. She continued at the University of Utah earning her medical degree. Heidi completed her residency at the University of California San Diego prior to staying at Rady Children’s Hospital for her fellowship in pediatric cardiology.
Jihyun "Polly" Park, MD
(2nd-Year Categorial Fellow): Polly did her undergraduate studies at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and went back to Korea to complete medical school at Konyang University College of Medicine in Daejeon. She then moved to Hawaii to complete her pediatric residency training at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Her current area of interest is in interventional cardiology, but she is excited to explore diverse areas within pediatric cardiology throughout her fellowship training.
Danielle Strah, MD
(2nd-Year Categorical Fellow): Danielle completed her undergraduate studies at University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa, followed by medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She then moved to Tucson to complete her pediatric residency training at the University of Arizona. She is excited to continue moving Westward and starting her fellowship training with us at UC San Diego. She enjoys reading, teaching fitness classes, playing with her dog and cat, and traveling with her husband.
Ealla Atari, MD
(1st-Year Categorical Fellow): Ealla completed my Pediatric Residency at Akron Children's Hospital. She is originally from Ohio and lived there until this year when she moved across the country to California! Ealla loves exploring new coffee shops, being outdoors, and baking. She is excited to experience the San Diego warmth, sunshine, and, of course, learn about Cardiology!
Lucio Emmanuel Ortega Martinez, MD
(1st-Year Categorical Fellow): Lucio was born and raised in a small town in Northern Mexico, then attended medical school at the Universidad de Tamaulipas, Tampico. After graduating medical school, he completed pediatric residency training at Texas Tech University at Amarillo, TX, graduating in June 2023. Lucio enjoys playing soccer, watching movies with his wife, and cooking Mexican food. He enjoys hiking with his corgi dog named Murmur. Lucio is interested in pursuing a career in Interventional Cardiology or Cardiac ICU.
