Somia Shaheen, MD

Biography

Somia Shaheen, MD, is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Heart Institute and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. She provides comprehensive cardiovascular care to children and adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease. Her clinical practice includes the evaluation of heart murmurs, chest pain, palpitations, syncope, abnormal electrocardiograms, arrhythmias, and other common pediatric cardiovascular concerns, as well as the longitudinal care of children with congenital heart disease.

Dr. Shaheen earned her medical degree from Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences in Jamshoro, Pakistan. She completed her pediatric residency at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, followed by fellowship training in Pediatric Cardiology at UTHealth Houston. She joined the faculty at UTHealth Houston after completing her fellowship in 2026.

Dr. Shaheen is actively involved in clinical research and scholarly activities in pediatric cardiology. Her research interests include congenital heart disease, neonatal and infant cardiac care, ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation, patent ductus arteriosus management, pediatric pulmonary hypertension, and catheter-based management of congenital heart disease. She is also interested in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents. Her scholarly work has included studies of ductal stenting, patent ductus arteriosus management, pediatric pulmonary hypertension, and congenital heart disease, with presentations at national scientific meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Shaheen is committed to medical education, mentorship, quality improvement, and improving the delivery of pediatric cardiovascular care. Her quality improvement and advocacy experience includes projects focused on the detection and disposition of elevated blood pressure in subspecialty clinics, pediatric wellness, vaccine education, and other initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes. She has served as a peer mentor for pediatric cardiology fellows and as interim chief fellow in pediatric cardiology at UTHealth Houston. She enjoys teaching medical students, residents, and fellows and is particularly interested in developing educational curricula in pediatric cardiology.

Dr. Shaheen is committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate cardiovascular care while helping children and their families understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term cardiovascular health.