Effective April 1,2024, Dr. Prashanth Thakker has been appointed as the new Program Director for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, succeeding Dr. Andy Kates who has served admirably in this role for the last 16 years.
Dr. Thakker received his MD from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 2013 as part of the BS/MD program with the University of Akron. He then completed internal medicine residency and a Chief resident year at Case Western University. In 2017, he joined the Wash U General Cardiology Fellowship training program, serving as Chief Fellow for two years, and then completed his Interventional Fellowship. He joined the Washington University Cardiovascular Division as Assistant Professor in 2021 and served as Associate Program Director for Program Development prior to his new appointment.
Dr. Thakker brings a wealth of experience in medical education as the next Fellowship Program Director. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Health Professions Education during his fellowship training and also completed the Foundations in Teaching Skills Program. He also served as Assistant Program Director of the Washington University Teaching Physicians Pathway. As Associate Program Director, Prashanth helped to revise and revamp the educational curriculum for the fellowship program. He was recognized with the Saligman-Reiss Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022.
Dr. Andy Kates has served as the Fellowship Program Director since 2008. During that time, he oversaw the robust growth and development of the program to the elite, uniquely designed and diverse fellowship dedicated to mentorship that it is today. In his capacity as the program director, Dr. Kates has directly trained more than 140 cardiology fellows, many of whom have developed into leaders across the spectrum of cardiovascular medicine, across the region, the US, and the world.
Dr. Kates will remain in his position as Associate Chief for Education and will continue to lead the educational mission of the Division. During the leadership transition period, he will also remain with the fellowship program as an Associate Program Director to provide support and mentorship. In addition, he will assist in developing other clinical areas within the division related to general cardiology.