Robert A. Puntel, MD, is a pediatric cardiologist and medical director of inpatient cardiology at Phoenix Children's. Dr. Puntel has extensive training and experience in fetal, pediatric and adult cardiology. He has a clinical interest in non-invasive cardiac imaging for congenital heart conditions, as well as transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac surgery.

Dr. Puntel also serves as co-director of the Pre-Conference: Hands-On Fetal Echo Learning Lab at the Phoenix Children's Fetal Cardiology Symposium.

After graduating from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, Dr. Puntel earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed his residency training in pediatrics from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Before joining the Phoenix Children's team, Dr. Puntel served in the U.S. Army for 25 years before retiring as colonel from the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

Dr. Puntel is board certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and in pediatric cardiology by the American College of Cardiology. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Academy of Pediatrics' military and cardiology subsections. He is a member of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors and the Western Society of Pediatric Cardiology.

In addition, Dr. Puntel is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, a clinical professor of child health at the University of Arizona School of Medicine and a clinical professor of pediatrics at the Creighton University School of Medicine. He also is a frequent presenter and invited lecturer at national and international medical conferences.

Dr. Puntel keeps personalized patient care at the core of his work.

"I believe the best patient care is sitting down with the patient and family and truly taking the time to listen to their concerns, worries and needs," he says. "It's important to focus on the child and determine what their worries and fears are so I can address them."

In his free time, Dr. Puntel enjoys running, traveling, visiting family, golfing and learning new languages.