Physicians

Pediatric Heart Specialists is a group of physicians dedicated to the treatment of heart disease in children. All our physicians are licensed in pediatric cardiology and stay up to date with the latest medical innovations and breakthroughs in the field. Our goal is to deliver the best possible care in a personal and meaningful way to each and every infant, child, and young adult that we treat. We value our relationship with you, your child, and your referring physician, and strive to communicate effectively with all involved at every step of the way.

Penn Laird Jr., M.D.

Dr. Penn Laird II was raised in Dallas. After graduating from high school, he attended Princeton University, where he earned a degree in Religion. During both high school and college he was a member...

Tracy H. Laird, M.D.

Tracy H. Laird, M.D., was raised in Anchorage, Alaska. For college she attended the University of California at Davis, where she was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and a Magna Cum...

Amit Verma, M.D.

Amit Verma, M.D., was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. After high school, he attended Duke University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in Biology and minor in Psychology. Amit...

Andrew Gordon Lashus, M.D.

Dr. Lashus received his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. He completed his pediatric residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and his pediatric cardiology...

Shannon Blalock, M.D.

Dr. Blalock grew up in Marshall, Texas. She attended the University of Notre Dame and earned a degree in Spanish and Pre-professional studies...

Brian S. Snarr, M.D., Ph.D.

Brian Snarr, M.D., Ph.D., is a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Health SM specializing in caring for infants, children, adolescents and young adults.

Alan Sing, M.D.

Dr. Alan Sing was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. He subsequently attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH where he graduated cum laude with a degree in Biology. After college, he worked at Boston...

Pooja Desai, M.D.

Dr. Pooja Desai was born and raised in India. After completing medical school in India , Dr. Desai moved to the United States and pursued a pediatrics residency at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX.

Merick Yamada, M.D.

Dr. Yamada is dedicated to quality improvement in pediatric cardiology and has been involved in many projects that aim to make care as effective and easy on patients as possible.

Rafael Zonana Amkie, M.D.

Dr. Rafael Zonana Amkie specializes in fetal cardiology and complex congenital heart disease, with training from Anahuac University and UT Health Science Center. He enjoys family time, hiking, and reading science fiction.

BriAnna Souder, D.O., M.S.

Dr. BriAnna Souder specializes in fetal echocardiography and congenital heart disease, with a focus on quality improvement and patient advocacy, and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.