Program Leadership
Omar Siddiqi, MD
Program Director
I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and immigrated to the US with my family in 1999. After graduating from college at the University of Rhode Island, I attended medical school at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Initially planning on becoming a neurosurgeon, I was quickly enticed by cardiovascular physiology and decided to pursue internal medicine followed by fellowship training in cardiology. I completed my internal medicine residency training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and my cardiovascular medicine fellowship at Boston Medical Center, from where I graduated in 2014. My clinical interests include echocardiography, cardiac amyloidosis, cardio-oncology, and adult congenital heart disease. My academic interests lie in medical education, particularly around developing curricula for ECG teaching at the medical school level, and incorporating simulation training for echocardiography and clinical cardiology.
Program Director
I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, and immigrated to the US with my family in 1999. After graduating from college at the University of Rhode Island, I attended medical school at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Initially planning on becoming a neurosurgeon, I was quickly enticed by cardiovascular physiology and decided to pursue internal medicine followed by fellowship training in cardiology. I completed my internal medicine residency training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and my cardiovascular medicine fellowship at Boston Medical Center, from where I graduated in 2014. My clinical interests include echocardiography, cardiac amyloidosis, cardio-oncology, and adult congenital heart disease. My academic interests lie in medical education, particularly around developing curricula for ECG teaching at the medical school level, and incorporating simulation training for echocardiography and clinical cardiology.
Katy Bockstall, MD
Associate Program Director
I was born in southern California and raised in central Florida. I first moved to Boston to attend Boston College, followed by medical school at Tufts University. I then set off for NYC, where I completed my Internal Medicine Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital and Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at NYU School of Medicine. I met my husband in New York and we moved home to Boston to begin my first faculty position at BUSM/BMC in 2018. I am honored to care for our patients at BMC and to work with such dedicated trainees and faculty. My professional interests include echocardiography, hypertension, and curriculum development. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and getting outside as much as possible for running, biking, and amateur gardening.
Associate Program Director
I was born in southern California and raised in central Florida. I first moved to Boston to attend Boston College, followed by medical school at Tufts University. I then set off for NYC, where I completed my Internal Medicine Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital and Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at NYU School of Medicine. I met my husband in New York and we moved home to Boston to begin my first faculty position at BUSM/BMC in 2018. I am honored to care for our patients at BMC and to work with such dedicated trainees and faculty. My professional interests include echocardiography, hypertension, and curriculum development. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and getting outside as much as possible for running, biking, and amateur gardening.
Alexandra Pipilas, MD
Assistant Program Director
I was born and raised in Boston and attended Boston University for my undergrad degree. I left Boston for a short time to attend medical school in Chicago before returning for internal medicine residency, chief residency, and fellowship here at Boston Medical Center. I could not have been happier to stay on as faculty after the completion of fellowship in 2023. My clinical interests include women’s health, cardio-obstetrics, and echocardiography. My academic interests lie in medical education, especially in curriculum development. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband Danny and two sons Noah and Max. We love to get outside as much as possible and look forward to ski season all year long!
Assistant Program Director
I was born and raised in Boston and attended Boston University for my undergrad degree. I left Boston for a short time to attend medical school in Chicago before returning for internal medicine residency, chief residency, and fellowship here at Boston Medical Center. I could not have been happier to stay on as faculty after the completion of fellowship in 2023. My clinical interests include women’s health, cardio-obstetrics, and echocardiography. My academic interests lie in medical education, especially in curriculum development. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband Danny and two sons Noah and Max. We love to get outside as much as possible and look forward to ski season all year long!
Frederick L. Ruberg, MD
Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine
Thomas J. Ryan Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
I was born in Philadelphia and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I returned to Philly for college at Haverford College and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, then completed my residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I came to Boston Medical Center in 2001 as a cardiology fellow in the lab of Joseph Loscalzo, and aside from a year at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for advanced cardiac MRI training, I’ve been here at BMC and BU ever since. In late 2023, I was named Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at BMC and the Thomas J. Ryan Professor of Medicine at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. My clinical and research interests focus on cardiac imaging—particularly echocardiography and cardiac MRI—and infiltrative cardiomyopathies, with a primary emphasis on cardiac amyloidosis. I presently serve as a senior cardiologist at the BU/BMC Amyloidosis Center, a globally recognized leader in the field. My research is funded by NIH, foundations, and industry and I actively mentor a number of junior faculty, fellows, residents, and students. Outside of work, I live in Brookline, MA with my wife, the director of the medical microbiology lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, and our two high-school aged daughters (my oldest is out of college and considering applying to medical school). I enjoy music (both listening and performing), politics and current events, trivia, cooking/baking, staying physically active, and the occasional streaming service TV binge.
Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine
Thomas J. Ryan Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
I was born in Philadelphia and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I returned to Philly for college at Haverford College and medical school at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, then completed my residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I came to Boston Medical Center in 2001 as a cardiology fellow in the lab of Joseph Loscalzo, and aside from a year at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for advanced cardiac MRI training, I’ve been here at BMC and BU ever since. In late 2023, I was named Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at BMC and the Thomas J. Ryan Professor of Medicine at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. My clinical and research interests focus on cardiac imaging—particularly echocardiography and cardiac MRI—and infiltrative cardiomyopathies, with a primary emphasis on cardiac amyloidosis. I presently serve as a senior cardiologist at the BU/BMC Amyloidosis Center, a globally recognized leader in the field. My research is funded by NIH, foundations, and industry and I actively mentor a number of junior faculty, fellows, residents, and students. Outside of work, I live in Brookline, MA with my wife, the director of the medical microbiology lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, and our two high-school aged daughters (my oldest is out of college and considering applying to medical school). I enjoy music (both listening and performing), politics and current events, trivia, cooking/baking, staying physically active, and the occasional streaming service TV binge.
Program Objectives
Thank you for your interest in the ACGME-accredited Cardiology Fellowship Program at Boston University Medical Center. We offer seven (7) positions annually for a comprehensive three-year clinical fellowship.
- Clinical Training spans 24 months across our two primary institutions: Boston Medical Center and the VA Boston Healthcare System, providing diverse patient experiences.
- Research Training includes up to 8 months of dedicated elective time in the third year, enabling fellows to conduct original research in cardiovascular diseases under the mentorship of faculty members.
The Cardiology Fellowship aims to develop the next generation of leaders in cardiovascular medicine by providing comprehensive training in clinical care, research, and academic excellence. The program is designed to foster expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, and vascular disorders. Fellows will gain hands-on experience in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, including echocardiology, cardiac catheterization, cardiac MRI, and electrophysiology.
Through a combination of structured clinical rotations, multidisciplinary conferences, and research opportunities, fellows will cultivate advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, and academic inquiry. The program emphasizes a patient-centered approach to care and prepares trainees to excel in both private practice and academic settings.
Application Process
For more information about our application process, click here.