Our pediatric cardiology fellowship program is designed to train individuals to diagnose and treat infants, children and young adults with congenital and acquired heart disease. Fellows receive training in the core competency areas with the goal of preparing them to become successful clinicians, academicians, teachers and scientific investigators.
Our program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The fellowship consists of 24 months of clinical training and 12 months of research-related activities. All training occurs at the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. Appropriate elective rotations may also be arranged with the approval of the program director.
The clinical portion of the program consists of focused rotations in the areas of inpatient medicine (intensive care as well as general cardiology floor rotations), echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology. Trainees have continuity clinic once weekly for exposure to outpatient management.
Meet the Fellows
Brad Dayton, M.D. - Class of 2023
Originally from Casper, WY, Brad made a move to beautiful Utah for undergrad at Utah State University. From there he went on to attend medical school at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. After conquering the west, he moved east to Dayton, OH for his pediatrics residency at Wright State University while active duty in the Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base/Dayton Children’s Hospital. After spending one year as an attending and military chief resident at Wright Patterson AFB, he was stationed as a general pediatrician at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) for three years in Anchorage, Alaska. In fellowship his primary research interest has been indications for early closure of atrial septal defects. Most of his personal time is spent with his family attending children’s sporting and extracurricular events. Personal interests include mountain and road biking, cross-country skiing, spending time outdoors, working on cars, and radio-controlled models.
Future Plans: Fellowship has reaffirmed his interest in general outpatient cardiology, so he and his family will return to Anchorage to work as a general pediatric cardiologist with Alaska Children’s Heart Center, LLC.
Jorge Rosado Gonzalez, M.D. - Class of 2023
Jorge was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico where he also attended the University of Puerto Rico for undergrad, medical school, and pediatric residency. He worked as the medical director of an emergency clinic on the island after Hurricane Maria, while also working in a PICU during that time. Jorge initially moved to St. Louis for critical care fellowship here at Cardinal Glennon where he confirmed his passion for all things cardiology. He stayed for cardiology fellowship after finishing critical care fellowship. Particular areas of interest are healthcare access to underserved areas, congenital heart disease, ECMO and heart lung interactions. Jorge loves traveling with his wife and their son, learning about history and is currently on a journey to learn how to play the guitar. He swears he could’ve gone pro in baseball, but he also cheers for the Yankees over the Cardinals, so you can’t really trust him on that subject.
Future Plans: Jorge finds his calling in the clinic…just kidding! He will be pursuing a career in cardiac intensive care.
Chris Iskander, M.D. - Class of 2024
Chris is originally from Winston-Salem, NC where he also attended undergrad at Wake Forest University majoring in History. Make no mistake about it though, this guy was born and raised a Tar Heel even before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) for medical school, his masters in public health, and pediatrics residency. Clinically, Chris was initially drawn to cardiac intensive care, but is slowly developing an affinity for cardiac catheterization. His future is still up in the air, but one thing he is certain of is that he’s landed at the perfect program (his words, we promise) for his needs as a cardiology fellow. Chris and his wife recently became parents having welcomed a baby girl. They enjoy traveling abroad, going on runs/walks in Forest Park, and taking in as many sporting events as possible.
Future Plans: TBD
Sara Santiaguel, M.D. - Class of 2025
Originally from Philippines, Sara somehow settled in the Midwest and has now refused to leave. After attending St. Mary’s College in Indiana, she went to medical school at Indiana University and later the University of Louisville for pediatrics residency. Clinically, she is fascinated by electrophysiology, but a recent resident grand round working with the heart failure and transplant attending has piqued her interest. While her future is still up in the air, she is excited to finally start fellowship. Personal interests include exploring local restaurants, baking, and spending time with her dog Kiko (short for Francisco)!
Future Plans: TBD
Recent Alumni
Erica Bonura, M.D.
Erica was born and raised in the heart of Badger Country in Fitchburg, WI before attending the University of Wisconsin for undergrad and medical school. Wisconsin wasn’t cold enough, so she moved to Rochester, MN for pediatric residency at the Mayo Clinic. She was initially drawn to pediatric cardiology for the complex anatomy and physiology, often in very sick patients. As a fellow she loved the variety of clinical settings, getting to see patients thriving in clinic one day and then help guide a family through their post-operative ICU stay the next. She’s developed a clinical interest in heart failure and transplantation. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Erica finds joy in medical education for which she’s won multiple teaching awards during fellowship. Outside of medicine, Erica and her husband love to check out the numerous amazing local places to eat. They have two Australian shepherds who are always up to explore different parks and dog friendly restaurants.
Future Plans: Advanced 4th year fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis
