Cardiology Fellows Give Back to Heart Center

Nirmal Shah, M.D., has pleasant memories of the years he spent at VCU Medical Center, where he completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine, then his fellowship in Cardiology in 2001.

At the time known as MCV, VCU “has the best clinically oriented program and the best teachers,” said Shah. “I fondly remember my many mentors.” He counts among them Drs. Walter Paulsen, Ian Nixon, Michael Kontos, Bob Jesse, Andrea Hestillo, Michael Hess, Kenneth Ellenbogen, Mark Wood, George Vetrovec, and Anthony Minisi.

In appreciation, Shah—a cardiologist who is now affiliated with Cardiovascular Specialists of Frederick, Maryland,—has made several donations to the VCU Pauley Heart Center. His contributions have helped support a fellowship fund and a cardiology scholarship.
“I wanted to express my gratitude to the place which trained me so well and is the reason for my success in life,” he said.

Another former cardiology fellow recently provided support to the newly established Vetrovec Symposium. Named after George Vetrovec, M.D., longtime director of the VCU Cardiac Catheterization Lab, the symposium will bring national speakers to Richmond to discuss advances in the cardiovascular field.

Chair of Cardiology Kenneth Ellenbogen appreciates Shah and other alumni fellows who wish to honor their years at VCU through a donation. “Giving back is certainly a lovely way of saying, thank you,” he said. “Gifts like these help us to support so many more academic activities that further enhance the clinical and educational opportunities for our fellows.”

If you would like to honor a mentor or a loved one, or learn about other giving opportunities at the Pauley Heart Center, please contact Carrie Mills, Senior Major Gift Officer, at (804) 828-0453 or cmills@vcuhealth.org.