Munes Fares, MD

“I believe every child deserves the best chance at a healthy life. Using advanced imaging technology, I can look closely at each child’s heart and give families and care teams the clearest path forward. My motivation is rooted in compassion: helping children grow, thrive and live the fullest life possible.”

Dr. Munes Fares is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. He has subspecialty expertise in advanced cardiac imaging, including cardiac MRI and CT. His clinical interests include congenital heart disease evaluation and management, borderline ventricle assessment and decision-making for complex biventricular repair, congenital coronary artery anomalies and coronary allograft vasculopathy in pediatric heart transplant patients. Additionally, he provides advanced 3D modeling to support prenatal counseling, surgical planning, stress MRI imaging and additional advanced applications of cardiac MRI.

Growing up with a father who was a cardiologist, Dr. Fares chose to pursue a career in medicine. His medical school rotation in pediatric cardiology inspired him to focus on making a lifelong impact on children and their families. He was especially drawn to the field of cardiac imaging, where advanced technology allows him to use these tools to personalize treatment and help achieve the best outcomes for every patient.

Dr. Fares is an assistant professor of pediatrics and pediatric cardiology at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, where he established and directs the fetal cardiac MRI and 3D modeling programs. Additionally, he is an active member of the complex biventricular repair program and the congenital coronary anomaly clinic.

His research focuses on improving outcomes for children with congenital heart disease through advanced imaging. Areas of study include the evaluation of the borderline ventricle and strategies for complex biventricular repair, coronary allograft vasculopathy in pediatric heart transplant recipients and the use of stress cardiac MRI for early detection of disease. Dr. Fares has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and presented nationally and internationally on these topics.

Dr. Fares received his medical degree at Damascus University in Syria. He completed residency in pediatrics at Marshall University, followed by a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Case Western Reserve University, where he received a Teacher of the Year award. He then completed an advanced fellowship in advanced cardiac imaging (MRI/CT) at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, especially traveling together. Dr. Fares likes cooking at home, and he stays active by running and biking.