Dr. Micah T.

Dr. Tatum completed a BS in biochemistry and cell biology at Rice University, where he served as an admissions interviewer. After earning an MD at UT Southwestern, Dr. Tatum completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he trained across high‑acuity inpatient, emergency, critical care, and subspecialty settings. His academic excellence and leadership have been recognized through numerous honors, including the American College of Cardiology Fellows‑in‑Training Distinction, the United States Presidential Volunteer Service Award, the Barbara Ross‑Lee Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, and multiple institutional awards for mentorship and community engagement. As a pediatric oncology fellow, Dr. Tatum specializes in congenital heart disease, electrophysiology, and the cardiovascular effects of oncology treatments. 

Throughout his training, Dr. Tatum has developed a strong foundation in congenital cardiology, transitional care, and cardio‑oncology. His research portfolio includes national presentations on zero‑fluoroscopy electrophysiology techniques, muscular complications of VSD devices, and pediatric pancreatic surgery outcomes. His recent publication on echocardiographic follow‑up after VSD device closure reflects his commitment to advancing evidence‑based care for children with congenital heart disease. His research has been published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, Heart Rhythm, Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and other publications. He has also contributed to national conferences through case presentations highlighting complex arrhythmia management, ECMO physiology, and interventional strategies.

Beyond clinical care, Dr. Tatum is deeply involved in innovation and medical technology. He serves as a consultant for the Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium, where he evaluates emerging cardiology‑related devices and AI infrastructure. He also contributes to CardioScape, developing virtual models of congenital cardiac lesions for surgical planning and education. His leadership extends to national organizations, including his role as the Health, Innovation & Technology Chair for the American College of Cardiology Fellows‑in‑Training Committee.

Dr. Tatum is an experienced educator who has taught medical students, residents, and fellows in both inpatient and outpatient settings. His academic contributions include lectures on congenital heart disease, electrophysiology, and cardiac imaging, as well as his work on the widely downloaded “Peds in a Pod” podcast. His long history of mentorship spans more than a decade, including work with HPREP, Black Men White Coats, and the University of Washington Pediatrics Residency selection process.

As an admissions counselor, Dr. Tatum’s greatest strengths lie in helping students craft compelling narratives, identify their unique strengths, and present cohesive, competitive applications. His approach is structured, warm, and highly individualized. He balances strategic guidance with authenticity and empathy. Dr. Tatum is an advocate for “building your story,” and he draws heavily on his own journey as a cancer survivor through illness, recovery, and medical training, which allows him to connect deeply with students with aspirations in the medical field. 

Dr. Tatum is passionate about coaching because he understands firsthand how transformative mentorship can be. Throughout his own training, he benefited from mentors who helped him find clarity, confidence, and direction. He now pays that forward by helping applicants articulate their purpose, refine their voice, and enter the medical field with a strong sense of identity and belonging.