BRYAN HEART
Cardiologists Balwanz and Travers join m
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hen Chris Balwanz, MD, started his freshman year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he planned on becoming an engineer, but it didn’t take him long to change course. “Within my first semester, I realized that it wasn’t what I wanted to do,” he says. He began volunteering at a Lincoln hospital, and through his experiences with critically ill patients, he became interested in studying medicine. Dr. Balwanz grew up in Omaha and attended Millard South High School. After completing his undergraduate degree in Lincoln, he decided to return to Omaha to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine. Dr. Balwanz says he was drawn to cardiology because of the variety and complexity involved, and he enjoyed opportunities to make a difference in his patients’ lives. He went on to complete an internal medicine residency at the University of California, Davis, and a general cardiovascular diseases fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City. JOINS BRYAN TEAM Dr. Balwanz had been teaching internal and cardiovascular medicine at UNMC when he got a call asking him to join Bryan Heart. It didn’t take him long to decide. “Bryan has a well-known reputation. It provides high-quality care and all the services that one would need for cardiovascular health,” he says. Bryan Heart cardiologist Chris Balwanz, MD, and Katie Garcia, DDS, and puppies As a cardiologist who specializes in imaging, Oliver and Finn welcomed baby Connor to the family this spring. including vascular ultrasound, Dr. Balwanz strives to give his patients the best care possible, and he The doctors also enjoy spending time with friends, and Dr. believes the technology available at Bryan makes this easier. Balwanz says it’s fun bumping into Bryan Medical Staff colleagues Dr. Balwanz says the move to Lincoln has been good for his he first met in college and medical school. family. His wife, Katie Garcia, DDS, is a pediatric dentist in Lincoln, “It has been nice that somehow everyone ended up in Lincoln,” and they both appreciate that her commute is shorter. This April, the he says. Looking ahead, he’s eager to continue his work serving couple welcomed another change: their son, Connor, was born. The couple enjoy going to Husker football and basketball games, patients in his home state. “Being able to come back to Lincoln and help care for spending time with family and staying active outside — but with a Nebraskans throughout the state has been very special, not just to newborn, their hobbies are a little different. me, but also to my family,” he says. “Now it’s sleep,” Dr. Balwanz jokes.
14 Summer 2018
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