Meet Our Fellows! 

Tracey Crooks,

Medical College of Wisconsin (F)
University of Illinois (R)

I am originally from Centennial, Colorado, but just finished 11 years in the Midwest for my medical training. I completed medical school at Loyola Chicago, residency in Med-Peds in Peoria, IL, and most recently a Pediatric Cardiology fellowship in Milwaukee. My future plans include practicing a mix of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiology. I most appreciate my co-fellows’ sense of humor and friendship, especially when things get tough. Outside the hospital, you can find me playing volleyball, exploring a new brewery, or spending time with my husband, our 10-month-old daughter, and our dog, Ollie. ​

Isaac Acquah

MedStar Health

I’m originally from Ghana, though I’ve moved around quite a bit over the years—first to Massachusetts, then Texas, followed by Maryland, where I completed my internal medicine residency with MedStar, and now to Colorado. What I value most about this program is the approachable faculty and the incredible camaraderie among my co-fellows; whether it’s call swaps or quick clinical questions, there’s always someone willing to lend a hand. In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes (though nothing quite beats Ghanaian jollof) and exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces Colorado has to offer. 

Lin Cao

Vanderbilt University

I am originally from Cary, North Carolina, and went to UNC for undergrad (Go Heels!) before heading to Vanderbilt for medical school and residency. I'm thrilled to be continuing my gradual migration west for cardiology fellowship, with interests in heart failure and critical care. I love how supportive and adventurous my co-fellows are! Outside of work, you can usually find me hiking, camping, or soaking up the sun with my cat.

Sunnia Chen

Mayo Clinic

David Lambert

Washington University

I grew up in Wisconsin and received my BS in Biochemistry at UW-Madison and MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin. I completed internal medicine residency and chief year at Washington University in St. Louis prior to moving here for cardiology fellowship. Everyone here has been so supportive, it is a busy clinical environment but one in which you are able to grow comfortably with the right amount of support. I love cycling and have done many long rides from Denver into the mountains with my co-fellows, stopping for coffees along the way!

Evan Murray

Duke University

I am originally from Durham, North Carolina, and completed all of my training at Duke before coming to Colorado for fellowship (Go Blue Devils!). I have loved being part of this program and working with so many incredible people across all three hospitals. I am currently undecided about my subspecialization in cardiology, though my favorite rotation so far has been in the cath lab. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve enjoyed exploring the city and surrounding areas through hiking, mountain and road biking, camping, and taking full advantage of the 300 days of sunshine this state has to offer!

Rad Nabrzyski

University of Colorado

I am originally from Poznań, Poland, and grew up in South Bend, IN. I attended medical school at Indiana University and completed my internal medicine residency at the University of Colorado, where I am delighted to stay on as a fellow. I plan to pursue a career in electrophysiology. One of the best parts of this fellowship is the culture—my co-fellows are empathetic, intelligent, down-to-earth, and driven, and we always have each other’s back. In my free time, I enjoy road cycling, rock climbing, running, and spending time with my partner, Erin, and our dog, Ollie.

Alyssa Shepherd

Beth Israel Deaconess

I grew up in Greeley, Colorado, and stayed close to home for medical school at the University of Colorado before heading to Boston for residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I’m thrilled to return to CU for fellowship, with plans to pursue a career in electrophysiology. The heart of this program is its camaraderie—fellows and faculty make each day collaborative, motivating, and rewarding. Outside the hospital, you’ll likely find me exploring Colorado’s peaks through hiking, climbing, or skiing; spending time with my golden retriever, Slugger; cheering on the Colorado Avalanche; or expressing my creativity through watercolor painting and ceramics.

Apoorva Sharma

Emory University

Erika Becerra-Ashby

University of Colorado

I was raised in the small town of Arcola, Illinois. I attended the University of Illinois for medical school and completed my Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency here at the University of Colorado. I am excited to be able to stay on as a cardiology fellow! I am currently interested in Adult Congenital Cardiology and General Cardiology. I can already feel the support from my co-fellows, and I’m excited to continue working with them and getting to know them better. When I’m not in the hospital, you can find me with my son and husband—hiking, at a park, exploring a new restaurant, or trying to find time to read a new book or binge a new show.

Elizabeth Jean-Marie

Case Western Reserve

I was born and raised in Miami, FL, but have lived all over the country, including Rhode Island, Ohio, and Minnesota. I completed my residency training at Case Western Reserve University and stayed on as a Chief at the VA for one year. My career interests are in preventive cardiology, with a research focus on lipids and social determinants of health. When I am not in the hospital, you can find me reading at home or at a local bookstore. My goal is to read 25 books this year!

Katy Lehenbauer

University of Minnesota

I am originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and completed residency training at the University of Minnesota. My career goals right now are in general or preventive cardiology. I am excited to have a strong support system from my co-fellows over these next few years, both in and out of work. When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy spending time outside with my dog, Rocky, and exploring all of beautiful Colorado through hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Alexa Roy

Mayo Clinic

I am originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and completed my residency training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. My career interests are in heart failure, with a particular focus on equity, barriers to implementing therapies, and outcomes. As an incoming fellow, I have not yet met my co-fellows in person, but everyone has already been so welcoming and helpful. Outside of the hospital, you can usually find me exploring the mountains, checking out a fun restaurant, or curled up with a book and my cat.

Sam Thielen

University of Colorado

Hi everyone! I’m Sam, originally from North Carolina, and I’ve loved spending the past few years in Colorado. I attended medical school at UNC Chapel Hill, completed residency at the University of Colorado, and was lucky enough to stay on as a cardiology fellow! I’m interested in general cardiology or advanced heart failure, with a focus on medical education. I really appreciate that my co-fellows have a team mentality—we are open to swapping schedules and covering for each other to help make life work. If I’m not at the hospital, you can find me with my daughter and husband at a swimming pool, park, or the Denver Zoo!

Adrienne Walker

Baylor College of Medicine

I am originally from Dallas, TX, and completed my residency training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. My current career goals include incorporating my passion for aiding underserved communities into a future in either Electrophysiology or Interventional Cardiology. I love that my co-fellows are diverse and provide different perspectives that push me to grow. When I am not in the hospital, you can find me singing along to any genre of live music performance or enjoying a theme park!

Francis Zirille

University of Colorado

I’m originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and attended Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) for undergrad, medical school, and my MBA. I came out to the University of Colorado for residency and couldn’t be more excited to stay for fellowship, particularly to work with such a supportive group of co-fellows. I’m interested in cardiac electrophysiology as well as healthcare leadership. When I’m not in the hospital, you can probably find me snowboarding, cycling, playing golf, watching football, or hiking with my wife, daughter, and our adopted husky-mix, Griffy.

Ibrahim Ainab

UCLA

I was born in Somalia and raised in San Diego. I went to college and completed my internal medicine residency at UCLA (Go Bruins!). I hope to be the best possible cardiologist I can be, with a particular interest in a career in electrophysiology. What I love most about my co-fellows is their down-to-earth, genuine personalities and the kindness we show to each other at all times. Fellowship can be tough, but having great people around makes it that much better. When I am not in the hospital, I am more than likely out to dinner with my wife or off on my next travel journey.

Mallette Asmuth

University of Washington

I grew up in Bethesda, MD, but have lived in many cities since then. Most recently, I was in Seattle where I completed residency at the University of Washington. My career aspirations are to become a clinician-health systems engineer, developing combined human and computing solutions to improve care coordination and patient adherence to medical therapy. I love that my co-fellows always put in extra effort to take great care of patients and also each other. When I’m not in the hospital, you can find me in the mountains hiking, skiing, or camping. 

Erinleigh Michaud

University of Michigan

I was born and raised in Helena, Montana, and completed my residency at the University of Michigan. I plan to pursue a career in electrophysiology, and I am also interested in cardio-obstetrics and medical education. My co-fellows are amazing, smart, and kind—we are all supportive of one another and love spending time together both in and out of the hospital. When I am not at work, you can find me exploring new restaurants, heading outdoors to parks or the mountains, or enjoying the happy chaos of my family, which includes two dogs, two cats, my two-year-old son, and my amazing husband.

Payal Patel

Washington University

I am originally from Tallahassee, FL, and completed residency at Washington University in St. Louis. My career interests are in Advanced Heart Failure and General Cardiology. I feel fortunate to work alongside genuine, supportive, and hardworking co-fellows who make days at work enjoyable and fun. When I am not in the hospital, I love trying new recipes, playing board games, and relaxing in beautiful Colorado nature with my husband.

Kadijah Porter

University of Miami

I am originally from Nashville, TN. I did my residency at the University of Miami and stayed on for a chief resident year at the Miami VA. I am excited to pursue a career in interventional cardiology. My co-fellows have taken me in and become like family, and I feel so fortunate to be part of this extremely diverse group of individuals who don’t mind my 2 a.m. calls for problem-solving. When I’m not at work, I’m usually planning my next international getaway.

Cara Saxon

University of Colorado

I grew up in Gig Harbor, WA, and attended medical school at the University of Washington in Seattle before moving to the University of Colorado for residency. I enjoy academic cardiology and medical education, and I plan to focus my career on improving cardiovascular care for women and fostering professional community for female providers in cardiology. My co-fellows are kind, brilliant, and a huge source of joy for me both in and outside the hospital. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, and exploring many of Denver’s ice cream shops with my son, Carson, and my husband, Michael.

Christina Healy

University of Colorado (F)

University of Wisconsin (R)

I’m originally from Farmington Hills, Michigan, and completed residency at the University of Wisconsin before moving to Colorado to start fellowship. I plan to stay here to complete training in electrophysiology. I love my co-fellows for their unwavering support and camaraderie, both on and off the wards—they’re always there for me, whether it’s providing last-minute emergency coverage, working side by side through tricky clinical scenarios, or simply unwinding over drinks and laughing through game nights. Outside the hospital, you can usually find me on the ski slopes in the winter or paddling around the lakes and reservoirs in the summer.

Ricardo Torres Rodriguez

University of Cincinnati (F)

 Jefferson Einstein Hospital (R)

 I was born and raised in El Salvador, where I completed my medical education before moving to Philadelphia for residency and chief residency at Jefferson Einstein Hospital. I then pursued a cardiology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati before joining the cardiac electrophysiology program in Colorado. What excites me most about this program is the opportunity to work alongside a team of brilliant and dedicated people. The complexity and volume of clinical cases, combined with the potential for continuous professional and academic growth, make it a unique environment. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time in the mountains, exploring hiking trails, and discovering new restaurants with my wife and two children.

Alex Grubb 

University of Colorado (F)

Duke University (R)

I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, and earned my undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University before attending medical school at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. I completed residency at Duke University Hospital before coming to Colorado for general fellowship, and I’m staying on for electrophysiology fellowship. I hope to develop a career of clinical excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of complex arrhythmias, with additional interests in clinical research and medical education. I love the team feel among my co-fellows and how everyone is willing to jump in—whether it’s weighing in on a complex clinical problem or hanging out outside of work. When I’m not in the hospital, you can find me playing guitar, smoking a brisket, watching the Cleveland Browns, going to a concert at Red Rocks, or hiking in the mountains.

Kishan Padalia

University of Colorado (F)

University of Michigan (R)

I am originally from Sarasota, FL, and completed my internal medicine residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I hope to pursue a career in cardiac electrophysiology. One of the things I value most about our fellowship is how tight-knit we are, both inside and outside of work. When I’m not in the hospital, you can find me in the mountains, at a brewery, or relaxing at home.

Nageshwara Gullapalli

 University of Utah (F)

Wright State University (R)

Jerry Lipinski

University of Colorado (F)

UCSD (R)

I am originally from Laguna Niguel, CA, and completed my internal medicine training at the University of California, San Diego. What I love most about my co-fellows is the genuine camaraderie fostered by this program and their constant willingness to help one another. They’re also wonderful people outside of the hospital—even if our first weekend of fellowship involved walking a mile through the woods and hitchhiking down from the top of a 14’er! Outside of the hospital, I enjoy hiking with my fiancée, Lindsay, grilling and barbecuing on my Weber kettle, and exploring Colorado’s vibrant beverage scene.

Abdelghani (Ab) El Rafei

University of Colorado (F)

Beth Israel Deaconess (R)

Univ of Minnesota (R)

Originally from Damascus, Syria, I completed my internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota and a global health fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess, which included six months in Botswana. I am pursuing an academic career in heart failure. My classmates have become a second family to me away from home, and I am grateful for each of my co-fellows. Outside of work, I enjoy reading poetry, attending concerts, and planning ski trips.