Fellow Spotlight: Joseph Bayne, MD

Joseph Bayne, MD, grew up in Fremont. He had a family member with congenital heart disease, inspiring him to become a cardiologist. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University, then became fluent in Spanish while working at a Nicaraguan health clinic to improve diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. During medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Bayne conducted research supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute on sodium channel mutations in mice with atrial fibrillation, a common abnormal heart rhythm.

After completing internal medicine residency at Columbia, he came to UCSF for his cardiology fellowship because of its excellent research and clinical training opportunities, particularly in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). “There is a great need for cardiologists who know how to best treat the growing number of people living past their 30s and 40s with ACHD,” said Dr. Bayne, who hopes to pursue a career in academic medicine in this field. He is also passionate about improving the health of underserved populations.

So far, he has appreciated the fellowship’s emphasis on supported learning. “While we are entrusted with a lot of responsibility early on, it’s very easy to reach out to more advanced fellows and attendings for help,” said Dr. Bayne. His hobbies include playing the piano, running, and traveling.