Faculty and Fellows

Program Director

Edo Bedzra, MD, MBA

Associate Program Director

James O'Brien, MD

Faculty

William Douglas, MD
William Gibson, DO

Program Coordinator

Kasi Trader, BA

Faculty and Staff

Meet the team from the Heart Center.

Current Fellow

Muhammad Zubair, MBBS
I was born and raised in Pakistan and moved to the United States in 2012 to pursue a career in academic surgery. My training has spanned from vascular surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital, cardiothoracic surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, aortic surgery at Cleveland Clinic, and now congenital cardiac surgery at Children’s Mercy Kansas City. These experiences have provided me with the opportunity to care for patients with complex cardiovascular disease across all stages of life, from neonates with congenital heart defects to adults with advanced aortic pathology.

I chose Children’s Mercy because of its exceptional operative experience, outstanding mentorship, and commitment to innovation in congenital heart surgery. My professional interests include neonatal and complex congenital cardiac surgery, heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, and outcomes research. I have authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and remain actively involved in national collaborative research efforts focused on improving outcomes for children with congenital heart disease.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family, mentoring trainees, following cricket and soccer, and exploring new places with my family.

Former Fellows

Dhaval Chauhan, MD (2022) - WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Heart Center
Kevin Beers (2021) - Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children - Orlando, FL
Edo Bedzra (2020) - Children's Mercy Kansas City - Kansas City, MO

What our graduates are saying:

"I was prepared for everything that my current practice requires from complex neonatal surgery to multiple redo sternotomy surgeries in adult congenital cases. The surgeons maintained a professional relationship and mentored me in and out of the OR at every opportunity. I felt comfortable asking questions without being judged for not knowing information. Fellow involvement in rounds and weekly case conference provided essential learning opportunities for learning the indications, operative planning and post-operative care. When searching for my first faculty position the Children's Mercy faculty helped me find a position that allowed me to continue my personal and professional growth."

"The strengths of the program are breadth of case volume, mixed with faculty commitment to surgical experience and a true professional respect for the trainees. There was an appropriate advancement and opportunity to operate and gain experience and skills in all areas of complexities. This allowed for an easy transition into independent practice. Another strength was the collegiality of all aspects of the Heart Center (Surgery, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Anesthesia, Cardiology) which allowed for an effective model of education, communication, and collaboration between all."