Ivan Wilmot, MD

I serve as a pediatric cardiologist in the Heart Institute specializing in advanced cardiomyopathy and heart transplantation. I am also the director of the Cardiology Fellowship Program and International Observership Program (IOP). My care approach is one of establishing a relationship with each family and their child and caring for them as if they were my own children. The importance of this relationship cannot be underestimated as it is the cornerstone of communication between family, patient and provider.

I have always been drawn to science and the care of children, and I have been inspired by their resilience when encountering serious illness. In this light, I have gravitated toward the care of some of the sickest children with congenital heart disease (CHD), cardiomyopathy and heart failure. It’s exciting to see how the clinical options available to care for this population have grown over time, and it is a unique privilege to be part of the care team for each of these patients. Our practice at Cincinnati Children's provides comprehensive care for children with cardiomyopathy, heart failure and CHD. Our team also offers assessments and evaluations for individuals who may benefit from advanced therapies.

My research focuses on evaluating and improving the quality of life of each child through their medical journey. I seek to study the continuum of heart failure in children with both hereditary and acquired cardiomyopathy and their response to advanced therapies (e.g., mechanical circulatory support and heart transplant). I also study novel techniques and tools to train and educate future leaders in pediatric cardiology.

I have been fortunate to serve as a member of the fellowship program since 2016 and directly witness the growth of our trainees and program. Our fellowship program at the Heart Institute has continued to mature and develop since its inception in 2008. We have been fortunate to train individuals from over 30 countries in all disciplines in the field of pediatric cardiology. I’m particularly proud of the faculty and team who have contributed towards the program and the fellows who serve as the next generation of leaders in the pediatric cardiology community.

In my free time, I enjoy relaxing with my family, exploring new food opportunities and traveling.