We are honored to have our outstanding physicians recognized as
TOP DOCTORS 2025 2024
Rami M. Ausi, MD
Tatyana P. Barsouk, MD
Stephen G. Basheda, DO
Bridget K. Beier, DO
Nicholas A. Bellicini, DO
Kevin P. Bordeau, MD
Stephanie S. Brown, MD
Raye J. Budway, MD
Daniel E. Buerger, MD
David J. Burkey, MD
David B. Catalane, MD
Mark A. Cedar, DO
Lori L. Cherup, MD
Robert J. Chiu, MD
Frank A. Civitarese, DO
Louis A. Civitarese, DO
M. Sabina Daroski, MD
Wayne A. Evron, MD
Mario J. Fatigati, MD
Elizabeth J. Froelich, MD
John P. Girod, DO
Gaurav Goel, MD
Amy A. Gosling, MD
Maxim Hammer, MD
Michelle Harvison, MD
Scott A. Holekamp, MD
Andy C. Kiser, MD
David L. Limauro, MD
Jeffrey C. Liu, MD
Xuong Lu, MD
Jay A. Lutins, MD
James H. MacDougall, MD
Richard H. Maley, MD
Ashith Mally, MD
Christopher M. Manning, MD
Robert E. McMichael, DO
Leigh H. Nadler, MD
Lisa A. Oliva, DO
Amelia A. Pare, MD
Jeffrey A. Perri, MD
Brett C. Perricelli, MD
Matthew G. Pesacreta, MD
Kristen Peske, DO
Julia Kisin Polat, MD
Christopher Pray, MD
Raman S. Purighalla, MD
Robert C. Rankin, MD
Christie G. Regula, MD
Patrick G. Reilly, MD
Vincent Reyes, MD
Antonio M. Riccelli, MD
Edward J. Ruane, MD
Theresa Schuerle, DO
Arthur P. Signorella, MD
Robert N. Shogry, MD
Felicia E. Snead, MD
Michael J. Speca, DO
Arthur D. Thomas, MD
Amy B. Turner, DO
Justin J. Vujevich, MD
Jason G. Whalen, MD
Paul M. Willis, MD
Ryan W. Zuzek, MD
SINCE 1954, St. Clair Health has been dedicated to quality, innovation, responsiveness to community needs, and the humanity of the physicians, nurses, and caregiving staff.
AR TICLES
5 8 11 14 18 22
CARDIAC SURGERY
World-class hands tee off against leaking heart valves.
CALL IT A COMEBACK
Pulmonary embolectomy primes former pilot to keep soaring.
WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH
Exploring personal risk factors at any age and life stage.
TAVR TIMING
Doctor in family of doctors finds miracle in Heart Team approach.
AFIB AND-1
Cardiac ablation, primary care, heart failure trio team up.
STROKE OF PLUCK
PFO closure acts F.A.S.T. to close hole in family man’s heart.
FIRSTCALL
THE HEARTBEAT OF THE SOUTH HILLS
t St. Clair Health, everything begins with our connection to the community. How does that come to life within cardiology? In as many impactful and meaningful ways as there are members of this team.
For some, it’s their lifelong family history in the area. For others, it’s being a second-generation caregiver at St. Clair. And whether they grew up here, ventured away to learn and bring that knowledge and perspective back, or chose to call the South Hills home from one side of the country (like me!) or the other side of the world (like Katherine Shreyder, MD), it all adds up.
The result? An undeniable culture. Built beat by beat in a place where the people entrusted with your care deliver much more than expertise—St. Clair Health is where you get taken care of.
Taking care of your heart is serious business. St. Clair’s teambased approach to every patient is designed to instill confidence every step of the way. Doctors and nurses and coordinators and every other member of the team—all formed around your needs. Expert care from people who care is driven by camaraderie that only continues to expand, helping make you feel more at home, taking comfort in that culture.
It’s part genuine curiosity—we’re deeply interested in what makes you tick, literally. And from there, it’s instilled by the way we do things—that’s our unwavering investment in you. Everyone has a role, is proud of the role they play, and our shared commitment revolves around the continued evolution of the best cardiovascular services right here in the South Hills.
This is a group of immensely talented, truly cross-functional partners providing significantly positive leadership for the system. A centralized mission tied directly to group dynamics, where every member of the team is continuously inspired by the growth of the division, taking difficult clinical elements head-on and managing them successfully, together. You see that manifested directly
ANDY C. KISER, MD
Physician-in-Chief of Cardiovascular Services
through premier events like the annual Pittsburgh Heart Summit, where St. Clair Health fosters empowerment and collaboration for the entire region—and beyond.
With everyone bringing their A-game, every single day, that’s also how we’ve delivered advancements like the region’s first same-day discharge transcatheter aortic value replacement (TAVR), while laying the groundwork for the future of cardiology through clinical research, clinical trials, and women’s heart health at the same time.
This is truly the most advanced clinical setting I’ve experienced in a hospital of this size. We’re here today as a team because of the strategic foresight of esteemed colleagues James H. MacDougal, MD, FACC; Robert N. Shogry, MD; David J. Burkey, MD, FACC, who helped build the foundation for St. Clair Health Cardiology’s future many years ago. They continue to serve today as the backbone for our continued growth, shepherding ever-emerging experts across cardiology, electrophysiology, and hospital-based medicine.
In the following pages you’re going to learn more about St. Clair’s essential tools that enhance the care of patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and thoracic diseases.
The very best instrument? Our people.
Their direct link to our community? Patient success stories like the ones you’re about to read.
Collaboration. Communication. Clinical excellence.
That’s…
St. Clair Health Cardiovascular Services. The Heartbeat of the South Hills n
Dr. Kiser specializes in cardiac and thoracic surgery. He is board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Kiser earned his medical degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also completed a general surgery residency, fellowships in cardiac and thoracic surgery, served as Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and later achieved an MBA. At East Carolina University, Dr. Kiser served as Chief of Cardiac Surgery and Director of Cardiovascular Surgical Services. He was also a Distinguished Professor at both institutions. Dr. Kiser practices with St. Clair Medical Group and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2025. To contact Dr. Kiser, please call 412.942.5728.
Left to right: Andy C. Kiser, MD, MBA, FACS, FACC, FCCP; Katherine Shreyder, MD; James H. MacDougal, MD, FACC; Robert N. Shogry, MD; David J. Burkey, MD, FACC
DEEP SHOCK BECOMES AWE
Doug Sikora, 65, of Peters Township, golfs every year in an outing put on for a high school friend that died of a heart attack. In June of 2023 Doug woke up feeling rundown and wasn’t going to play— but he did.
“I just didn’t feel well,” he said, remembering the decision to pass on food and drinks after gritting through 18 holes out on the links. Doug’s next decision could have killed him.
“I really just wanted to lay down and go to sleep,” he says.
Doug’s wife, Joanne, and their youngest son, Brendan, recognized that something was off.
“Brendan put his little oxygen sensor on my finger and the reading was low. We’d been watching my heart for about five years, and I had just sort of been putting off really dealing with it,” he says.
Advanced heart valve failure meets advanced cardiac surgery, hits close to home.
When Doug got ahold of his cardiologist’s office, they told him to get to the closest hospital immediately.
“I was horribly sick when I got to the emergency room, and I asked the nurse if I could go to the bathroom,” he says. “By the time I got down the hall, I couldn’t catch my breath. It was a scary situation.”
Muhammad Salman, MD, FACS, Director of Mechanical Support, recalls it being a quiet Saturday afternoon—then the call came through that a patient was very ill in St. Clair’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“Doug’s echocardiogram showed that he had an infection of the heart valves, severe endocarditis, and they were leaking into his lungs,” Dr. Salman says. “This was advanced heart failure requiring immediate
surgical intervention because his kidneys and other vital organs were shutting down and losing function. His body was in deep shock.”
INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) is a system that classifies patients with advanced heart failure based on their clinical status and need for mechanical circulatory support. It categorizes patients into profiles, stratifies their risk of mortality, helps guide the type and timing of treatments, and provides predictive outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure.
“Elevated blood lactate levels serve as indicators of how close to death a patient is,” Dr. Salman says. “Normal is 1 millimole per liter (mmol/L). Those exceeding 2 have a strong indication of increased mortality risk, particularly with sepsis. 4 is generally considered severe. Doug was at a 7.”
In addition to Doug’s kidneys, his liver was shutting down. Immediate support was needed across the board, including assistance for his lungs.
“We performed double valve replacement, mitral and aortic—but this wasn’t just a heart problem anymore,” Dr. Salman says. “We put Doug on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). This is a life support machine that acts as a temporary substitute for the heart and lungs. It provides oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the blood outside of the patient’s body.”
Dr. Salman remains effusive in his praise of both the ER and ICU.
“A critical factor with a case like this is the time from first contact to the operating room (OR)—and with Doug it was a matter of hours,” Dr. Salman says. “That doesn’t happen without exceptional teamwork.”
The obvious benefit of being treated so quickly concerned Doug’s heart and vital organ function. Parallel, the St. Clair Medical Group Cardiac Surgery team considered how to provide the best opportunity for recovery.
“We incorporated Ambulatory ECMO, a portable device that allows us to take the breathing tube out because the ‘artificial lung’ pumps oxygen for you and allows you to move around during your recovery,” Dr. Salman says. “You can walk, you can eat, and you don’t need to be sedated which also lowers your risk of infection.”
Dr. Salman continues.
“Because the ICU team quickly identified how severe Doug’s case was and we operated just as quickly, the use of Ambulatory ECMO also allowed us to perform bedside decannulation,” he says. “This safely removes the cannula (tube) from a patient’s artery or vein while they are in the room, versus transporting them back to the OR. In addition to saving time, it reduces the risk of potential complications.”
Reflecting on two years of full health since that fateful day.
One prospective member of Doug’s care team had to sit this one out.
Allison Sloan, CRNP, RN, a nurse practitioner at St. Clair Health, is also his niece. She had first-hand experience with Dr. Salman during their time at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, the flagship of West Virginia University’s health system located in Morgantown. Prior to joining St. Clair Health, Dr. Salman started their heart transplant center and served as director of heart transplants.
“I knew the level of expertise that he was bringing to the (operating) table for my uncle—his caliber as a surgeon is world-class,” she says. “I knew Dr. Salman could handle the most complex cases. Just like I knew that other members of his care team would be preceptors I had trained under directly, going back to when I first started at St. Clair in 2011,” she says. “That’s why I’m here—that level of expertise.”
Doug shared with Allison how grateful he was for that connection.
“That’s how I knew I wanted St. Clair,” he says. “It made me feel safe.”
Allison added her appreciation for Doug’s care team.
“I have the highest level of respect for everyone who cared for my uncle,” she says. “When I first heard that he was going through this, being admitted to the ER, I was very pleased that Dr. Salman was on the floor that day. I knew my uncle would be in great hands every step of the way.”
“Dr. Salman, it brings tears to my eyes,” Doug says. “He saved my life—he’s a hero to me.”
The expert cardiac surgeon quickly shines the spotlight back on the team.
“The exceptional care you receive at St. Clair isn’t about me,” Dr. Salman begins. “The strength of our system is every level of your care team. PAs assist us. Perfusionists run the pumps and ECMO. Our acute beside nursing and scrub techs (surgical technologists) are exemplary. It’s a long list, and every person brings their expertise. I know I’m living up to that level of expectation when patients like Doug are going home in full health.”
Doug’s final check on that list: St. Clair Health’s cardiac rehabilitation services.
“They were the best group I could have asked for,” he says. “I made friends with a bunch of the older guys, and I’ll never forget anyone who was a part of the process. I got saved—St. Clair Health was like a godsend.”
For Doug Sikora, fitness has been an integral part of his entire life. He matriculated from the Brentwood gridiron to the football team at Clarion
"The strength of our system is every level of your care team. It’s a long list, and every person brings their expertise. I know I’m living up to that level of expectation when patients like Doug are going home in full health.”
MUHAMMAD SALMAN, MD, FACS Director of Mechanical Support
University back when local legend John Calipari played basketball for the Golden Eagles and carried his relationship with the weight room forward at least five times each week. But for five years he hesitated when it came to his heart.
“We were watching the valve just as a normal wear and tear, getting older kind of thing, not really expecting anything to happen. I put off surgery because I could, but Dr. Salman could’ve prevented this whole thing,” he says. “We all want to be around for our families as long as we can. If I would’ve laid down for that nap after golfing…that would’ve been the end of me—and when you’re gone, that’s forever. Do everything you can to take care of yourself while you still can.” n
MUHAMMAD SALMAN, MD, FACS
Dr. Salman specializes in cardiac surgery and serves as Director of Mechanical Support. He is board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Salman earned his medical degree at the Ross University School of Medicine and completed a residency in general surgery at York Hospital. He then completed a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at AHN Allegheny General and a cardiopulmonary transplantation and mechanical circulatory support fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Salman, please call 412.942.5728.
FROM COLLAPSE TO COMEBACK
Collaboration, compassion, and innovation intersect to save a life.
hile serving as pilot for an air ambulance years ago, Tommy Shea never would have imagined that he would one day be the person in need of lifesaving care. Tommy had always considered himself a healthy guy since he exercised regularly throughout his life. Even during his golden years, the Greentree resident hits the gym year-round and swims during the Summer.
Still, healthy individuals like Tommy can develop a pulmonary embolism without warning—especially after illness, surgery, or long periods of inactivity.
When he was feeling unusually fatigued in December 2024, Tommy chalked it up to a lingering case of COVID-19. “I figured it would pass. I was laying low, resting, waiting to bounce back,” he recalled. “But I wasn’t getting better.”
Tommy continued, “I first felt it the week before Christmas. Fifteen minutes of tremendous pressure on my chest, and then it passed. I thought it was just a weird side effect of the virus. Little did I know, that was the first pulmonary embolism.”
When the second pulmonary embolism hit on New Year’s Day in January 2025, there was no mistaking it. Tommy knew something was wrong—seriously wrong.
“I suddenly felt like there was an elephant sitting on my chest. It hit me out of nowhere,” Tommy recalled. “I got out of bed and collapsed right back down. I told my wife, ‘I think I’m dying.’ I could barely talk or walk.”
Neither Tommy nor his wife knew what was going on; they just knew they had to get him to St. Clair as soon as possible. He first reached out to his sister, Kathy—a Telecommunications Operator at St. Clair Health—who insisted they call 911 so first responders were sent to their exact location.
While awaiting the ambulance, Tommy’s long-time best friend arrived to offer support. Tommy recalled, “I don't know if anyone really knew quite how serious this was—but he knew when he showed up.” So his friend didn’t hesitate to help first responders move Tommy from the bedroom on the second floor to the first floor, onto a gurney and into the ambulance.
“I've been through a lot in my life, but I've never had anything like that happen to me,” Tommy shared. “I just thought, I don't think I'm going to get through this.”
Once Tommy arrived at the Emergency Department, imaging revealed a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism. A life-threatening blood clot had traveled to his lungs, obstructing blood flow and pushing his heart into overdrive. Without immediate intervention, Tommy’s life was in danger.
That’s when the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) sprang into action. This multidisciplinary group is comprised of a range of medical experts to ensure a fast and seamless response to lifethreatening cases.
Emergency physicians identify the potential blood clot, while diagnostic radiologists capture and assess medical images in collaboration with pulmonologists. Interventional cardiologists or interventional radiologists then decide the most appropriate treatment—as they are well-versed in procedures related to blockages of the coronary arteries.
Michael J. Bashline, MD, a South Hills native who practices with St. Clair Medical Group Cardiology, was the interventional cardiologist on-call the day Tommy came to the Emergency Department. As a biomedical engineering student, Dr. Bashline found early exposure to cardiac devices during his studies. But it wasn’t just the mechanics that fascinated him—it was the people.
"With the right tools and the right team, we can turn things around quickly. It’s one of the most gratifying parts of my job"
MICHAEL J. BASHLINE, MD St. Clair Medical Group Cardiology
“I realized I didn’t want to just design tools. I wanted to be the person using them to help patients directly,” said Dr. Bashline. And that’s exactly what he did for Tommy.
Dr. Bashline shared, “Though Tommy was incredibly fit and healthy, with no known medical issues, I knew we couldn’t wait to treat him. He didn’t look well, as his heart was under enormous strain and his oxygen needs were high.”
Dr. Bashline presented Tommy with options, including standard treatment with an anticoagulant or blood thinner to dissolve the blood clot over time. But it was clear the faster, more effective solution was a pulmonary embolectomy—a minimally invasive procedure that, until recently, was unimaginable in its speed and simplicity.
“I looked at Dr. Bashline and asked, ‘Have you done this before?’” Tommy said. “He responded, ‘Many times. This is what I do.’ Dr. Bashline was calm and confident, which gave me confidence, too. I felt totally safe in his hands.”
Within just 30 minutes of arriving at St. Clair Health, Tommy was prepped and wheeled into the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. According to Tommy, “I can't say enough about the speed at which the process occurred and the coordination of all the different entities.”
After completing a right heart catheterization to measure the overall output of the heart, Dr. Bashline moved onto the pulmonary embolectomy. He worked quickly to navigate a catheter—which acts like a suction device or vacuum, he says—through a vein in Tommy’s groin and into his lungs to physically remove the blood clot.
“With the right tools and the right team, we can turn things around quickly. It’s one of the most gratifying parts of my job,” said Dr. Bashline. “With Tommy, we extracted a significant amount of clot, especially from the right lung. The moment we did, his heart rate normalized and he was breathing comfortably again.”
Tommy added, “I could feel the difference. And everyone in the room, you could tell they were relieved, too. They’d been holding their breath along with me.”
In addition to prescribing a blood thinner to dissolve a remaining chronic clot in Tommy’s left lung, Dr. Bashline completed a second procedure to remove an extensive blood clot in his left leg after post-operative testing
just two days after
revealed a deep vein thrombosis. He wanted to minimize the risk of Tommy returning with another pulmonary embolism. Tommy said, “Dr. Bashline wasn’t taking any chances.”
Tommy added, “You can be fine one day and nearly dead the next. But if you’re lucky, you’ve got a place like St. Clair Health nearby and someone like Dr. Bashline ready to save your life.”
Access to advanced cardiovascular care, right in their community, isn’t just convenient for patients like Tommy. It’s lifesaving. Thanks to quick action by the PERT team and Dr. Bashline, Tommy not only survived a near-fatal pulmonary embolism—he was walking out of the hospital just a couple days later.
“I felt excellent. Like I could go back to the gym right away,” Tommy said. “If my heart hadn’t been in such great shape to begin with, I might not have made it. That’s what Dr. Bashline told me.”
According to Dr. Bashline, “Tommy told me at his one-month follow-up that he felt like a new person. From nearly passing out to planning his next run—that’s the power of this procedure.”
The number of pulmonary embolectomies annually performed at St. Clair Health is on par
with larger health systems—yet the atmosphere remains more personal, more connected. As one of a handful of interventional cardiologists, Dr. Bashline said, “Patients know us, and we know them. You’re a name, a story, a relationship.”
It’s a sentiment echoed in the St. Clair Health tagline—Expert care from people who care—and embodied by every team member. It’s also a big part of why Dr. Bashline joined the team at St. Clair Health.
“Everyone knows everyone here. That sense of community makes a real difference, and it shows in how we treat our patients,”
emphasized Dr. Bashline. “We’re not just doing the procedure. We’re following up with the patient, making sure they’re truly recovering. That’s something special.”
When asked what Tommy would say to Dr. Bashline and the other team members who saved him, he exclaimed, “I owe everything to the team at St. Clair Health. They didn’t just treat me—they brought me back. I’m feeling 100 percent again.”
Tommy sees his story not only as a cautionary tale but also a message of hope.
“Life is all about hope,” he said. “And thanks to St. Clair Health, I’ve got plenty of that.” n
MICHAEL J. BASHLINE, MD
Dr. Bashline specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology and is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine – Cardiovascular Disease. He earned his medical degree at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Dr. Bashline completed a residency and fellowship at UPMC. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Bashline, please call 412.942.7900.
Tommy walked out of the hospital
he collapsed.
WOMEN’S HEARTS, WOMEN’S VOICES
A fresh approach to protecting women from their #1 health threat.
Heart disease has largely been viewed as a “man’s illness,” with images of middle-aged men clutching their chests often serving as the condition’s cultural hallmark. Yet the truth is far different.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. This is why Katherine Shreyder, MD, who practices with St. Clair Medical Group Cardiology, is determined to shift the narrative.
Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, by a family of scientists, Dr. Shreyder’s interest in
the heart began at a young age. “After seeing my grandfather’s cardiologist use an old electrocardiogram machine, I was fascinated by the lines on the page that showed the rhythm and function of the heart,” she shares.
After graduating from medical school, Dr. Shreyder trained with renowned Russian cardiologists who truly showed her the beauty of this field. It reinforced the fact that, “Cardiology is where I belong,” she says.
While she built a successful career in Moscow—eventually becoming the chief of a hospital step-down unit—Dr. Shreyder chose to follow her passion for heart care across continents. With the support of her family,
she completed another residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and a fellowship at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center before joining St. Clair Health in 2022. Now, Dr. Shreyder is leveraging more than 20 years of experience to champion women’s heart health in our community.
Knowing that studies suggest patient outcomes may improve when treated by a physician of the same gender, she is committed to creating an environment where women feel heard when raising concerns and comfortable asking intimate questions. According to Dr. Shreyder, “There is a significant gap in
awareness and communication about heart disease risks among women and their physicians.”
Having open, detailed conversations gives Dr. Shreyder an opportunity to better educate women about heart disease—especially their unique risk factors that often go undetected. While men and women share the same traditional risk factors, women also face sex-specific challenges that can significantly impact heart health. One reason for this difference is biology.
Women’s heart and blood vessels are often smaller, while hormonal fluctuations can have complex effects on the cardiovascular system. In fact, Dr. Shreyder says that certain life events and conditions unique to women may increase their chances of a cardiovascular event. These include but are not limited to:
Menstruation
Females are at higher risk of experiencing palpitations—irregular or pounding heartbeats—in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. According to Dr. Shreyder, “The vast majority of these arrhythmias are benign and need not be treated, but some may require additional workup and possibly medication.” Additionally, women with irregular menstrual cycles may be at higher risk for heart problems.
Pregnancy
Less than half of American women entering pregnancy have optimal cardiovascular health, and pregnancy adds extra strain on a woman’s heart and blood vessels that may have lasting effects on her long-term health. Complications during pregnancy are becoming more common, and unfortunately, they are often overlooked as a warning sign about women’s heart health. Issues such as miscarriages, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight of a baby can greatly increase a women’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
Dr. Shreyder stresses, “Approximately 70 percent of women with gestational diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. And if you have diabetes, you're twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke.”
Menopause
The age at which a woman reaches menopause may be considered an important factor in assessing a woman’s risk, as menopause marks a point in a woman's life when risk factors can accelerate. Dr. Shreyder explains, “Besides the change in sex hormones, menopause causes unfavorable changes in body fat distribution, lipids, and lipoproteins. There is also increased sensitivity to sodium, leading to fluid retention and elevated blood pressure.”
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Studies suggest that women with PCOS are twice as likely to develop heart problems. Elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased insulin levels, and glucose intolerance are common in women with PCOS—all of which escalate the risk of developing both diabetes and heart disease.
While heart disease risk often rises sharply after menopause—when protective estrogen levels drop—research shows that prevention should start long before. Early identification of risk factors goes a long way in preventing disease progression, particularly because women’s heart disease can remain silent or present as unusual symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
“For women, heart disease really can look and feel different,” emphasizes Dr. Shreyder. “We may see chest pain or pressure as a primary symptom, but many women experience more subtle signs like discomfort in the neck or jaw, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or indigestion.”
The goal, of course, is to identify and manage cardiovascular risks in female patients before they escalate to cause these sorts of symptoms. That’s why Dr. Shreyder regularly collaborates with specialists across service lines such as OB/GYN, primary care, and oncology. These care pathways are designed to catch problems early, and if needed, follow up long after an initial diagnosis.
At St. Clair, women’s heart health is a team effort.
“This collaboration helps to ensure we don’t overlook critical risk factors. For instance, if a pregnant woman is referred by her OB/GYN, we can often see her in just a week or two to evaluate potential cardiovascular issues,” explains Dr. Shreyder.
She adds, “There are so many tools we didn’t have a generation ago that allow us to detect early changes in the heart and blood vessels. If we do find something concerning, we can start preventive therapies and lifestyle adjustments sooner, giving women a much better chance to avoid heart complications.”
In some cases, however, lifestyle changes alone might not be enough. The reality is that many women juggle careers, caregiving responsibilities, and other stresses that can make it difficult to maintain good habits. Plus, some risk factors you can't do anything about. That’s where medications come in to help facilitate weight loss, improve cholesterol profiles, or stabilize blood sugar levels.
“Starting the right medication early, especially if you have a strong family history of heart disease, can be lifesaving,” says Dr. Shreyder. “We don’t want women to feel like they’ve failed if healthy eating and exercise aren’t enough, when modern medicine can do a lot to support their lifestyle changes.”
Even if a woman develops more serious heart issues like arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, or heart failure, an early diagnosis greatly expands treatment choices. Minimally invasive interventions and medication regimens, combined with lifestyle changes, can stabilize or even reverse conditions if addressed promptly.
“It can be frightening and overwhelming when someone is diagnosed with a serious heart issue. Our role is to not only treat the physical condition but to also help patients and their families cope,” says Dr. Shreyder. “For these women, compassion and emotional support can be just as important as the treatment itself.”
This empathetic approach is an integral component of the care delivered at St. Clair Health. Patients have access to the same resources and expertise found at larger health systems, while still receiving the personalized care and attention that St. Clair Health has become known for.
“St. Clair gives us the resources to provide world-class cardiovascular care, but we never lose that personal touch and sense of community,” says Dr. Shreyder. “It’s truly a privilege to be part of my patients’ lives. When they trust me enough to refer a loved one, I know we’re doing something right.” n
KATHERINE SHREYDER, MD
Dr. Shreyder specializes in cardiovascular disease and is boardcertified by the American Board of Internal Medicine – Cardiovascular Disease. She earned her medical degree at the Russian National Research Medical University. Dr. Shreyder completed a residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and a fellowship at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center. She practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Shreyder, please call 412.942.7900.
PREVENTION AT EVERY AGE
One of the biggest myths about women’s cardiovascular health is that it only becomes a concern post-menopause. However, heart disease can affect a woman at any age, making it vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors at every age and stage of life.
• Your 20s and 30s: Work with a primary care provider to understand your baseline cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Pay attention to weight changes and any unusual fatigue or shortness of breath.
• During Pregnancy: Monitor your blood pressure and glucose. Consider consulting with a cardiologist post-delivery if they are elevated.
• Perimenopause and Beyond: Talk openly with your care team about hot flashes, irregular periods, weight gain, or sudden shifts in cholesterol. Transitioning hormones can mask other red flags if women don’t receive thorough evaluations.
If you’re a woman looking to safeguard your heart health—or already experiencing symptoms—consider taking the following steps:
1. Know Your Numbers: If you don’t know them already, get a baseline on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
2. Stay Alert to Subtle Signs: Don’t ignore persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, jaw or neck pain, or indigestion.
3. Revisit Your Lifestyle: If you can’t do 30 minutes of aerobic activity every day, aim for 150 minutes each week in a way that fits your schedule.
4. Consider a Preventive Visit: You don’t need to wait for an emergency to see a physician. A consultation with your primary care physician or a cardiologist can pinpoint risks and possibly head off future problems.
5. Discuss Medical History: During your visit, inform the physician if you have a family history of heart disease, experienced pregnancy complications, or have other conditions that may impact your heart health.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
One retired doctor. One recurring heart. One team with its pulse on the South Hills.
At St. Clair Health, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) team is comprised of cardiothoracic surgeons, like Andy C. Kiser, MD, MBA, FACS, FACC, FCCP, Physician-in-Chief of Cardiovascular Services, and interventional cardiologists, like Ryan W. Zuzek, MD, FACC, Chief of Cardiology.
The main goals?
“We meet on a weekly basis to discuss every patient we’re considering for valve replacement,” Dr. Kiser says.
“The best valve selection, the best possible procedure, and the best outcome,” Dr. Zuzek doesn’t miss a beat.
Dr. Kiser built the TAVR Team shortly after arriving at St. Clair in December of 2018.
“In order to deliver TAVR, it’s imperative to have a ‘Heart Team’ approach—and it’s much more than a surgeon and a cardiologist,” he says. “This is a real commitment to the community, with a nurse navigator helping you every step of the way and total buy-in from multiple areas of cardiology like imaging, and across the St. Clair Health system like primary care physicians immediately referring patients who need a closer look.”
Dr. Zuzek is quick to build on the profound sense of teamwork making each patient’s dream outcome work.
“We all have an equal voice,” he says. “At St. Clair Health, it’s about driving the best possible outcome for you. With TAVR, that starts with agreeing on exactly how to get the valve where it needs to go.”
But for one patient, the first concern became how long he could actually wait.
Dr. Antonio Ambrad, 87, a retired radiation oncologist, came to the United States in 1968 from Cartagena, Colombia, to complete his residency at Memorial Sloan
Kettering (MSK), a world-renowned cancer center and research institute in New York City.
“My father was a doctor, too, down in South America,” he starts.
“My sons are doctors, in Arizona and Rhode Island,” he continues.
“In all, there are 32 physicians in my immediate family.”
Ultimately, Dr. Ambrad settled in Mt. Lebanon after graduating from MSK, teaching in Philadelphia, and coming to the area first by way of Pittsburgh Mercy. He then worked at McKeesport Hospital for 30 years as a radiation oncologist and served as Chairman of Oncology.
Fast forward to last Fall:
Dr. Ambrad long had “a little murmur” in his heart. He never had any symptoms associated with it and felt that it was never serious enough to pursue clinical intervention. Near-annual checkups came and went over more than 30 years. The pandemic arrived. An appointment was missed. His old cardiologist moved, then the family doctor, too.
By the time Dr. Ambrad got back on track with the checkups, his murmur was detected again, anew, and intense enough to warrant an echocardiogram at another area hospital.
“The world was busy again, so my tests were originally scheduled a few weeks out,” he says. “I called St. Clair just to see if I could get in sooner, not because of any symptoms.”
The miracle of the calendar:
Dr. Ambrad was scheduled to fly out of the country in three days.
His echocardiogram was completed at St. Clair on a Tuesday.
Continued on Page 16
Jamie Roland, RN, Nurse Navigator Cardiovascular, called back the next morning.
“She was superb,” Dr. Ambrad says, regarding not just the initial lifesaving outreach but the rapid route to St. Clair’s action. “All of my pre-op testing—bloodwork, pulmonary function, ultrasound, CT scan—was arranged and completed in just a few hours at Dunlap Family Outpatient Center.”
And by that Thursday, Dr. Ambrad was sitting with Dr. Zuzek and Dr. Kiser, who wrote letters to the airlines to help cancel flights by confirming the diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis and building Dr. Ambrad’s plan.
Aortic stenosis is the calcification and restriction of aortic valve leaflets. Ultimately, aortic stenosis causes a thickening of the heart and fluid buildup, resulting in shortness of breath and other symptoms. Untreated, there is a risk of earlier mortality than with treatment.
Dr. Zuzek’s main concern with Dr. Ambrad?
“When a patient has critical aortic stenosis, the first symptom is death,” he says. “Classically, symptoms include shortness of breath, especially with exertion, and syncope (fainting), and there is mortality associated with those. But sometimes, the first indication—the first sign—is, unfortunately, death.”
Dr. Ambrad’s metrics were undeniable.
“The normal adult aortic valve area (AVA), which refers to the size of the opening between the left ventricle (lower chamber of the heart) and the aorta (main artery of the body), is 2.5 to 4.5 square centimeters,” Dr. Zuzek says.
“Dr. Ambrad’s AVA was less than 0.5 square centimeters.”
Because aortic stenosis means the valve has narrowed and blood flow is restricted, the smaller the AVA, the more severe the stenosis. Mild: 1.5. Moderate: between 1.0 and 1.5. Severe: 1.0 or less.
“With any amount of bad luck, he could have suffered sudden cardiac death (SCD),” Zuzek says. “And it’s highly unlikely that he would have come back from that.”
The St. Clair Health TAVR Team operates under indications to treat anyone in the Severe range, even when their symptoms are minimal.
Dr. Ambrad was critical.
Dr. Zuzek, driving home the severity:
“If he sneezed the wrong way, he could have died. We were very concerned about any activity—if he got out of the shower and went to the sauna, for example, he could have died,” he says. “And you could see it straight away on the echocardiogram. The Doppler—similar to a speed-gun for the heart—showed a significant gradient of blood flow through the valve from inside of the heart through the aorta.”
In layman’s terms, Zuzek says it’s like when you have a garden hose and put your thumb over the open end—the velocity of the water accelerates
“His heart was pumping, trying to send blood flow through a valve that had become too small—that’s what creates the murmur: turbulent blood flow.”
The TAVR Team huddles up one more time.
Dr. Ambrad, a doctor in a family of doctors, quickly shifted from being shocked to being shockingly at ease.
“From the minute this happened, through all the testing, the procedure and follow-up, everyone was so kind. So compassionate. So excellent at every step,” he says.
“At St. Clair Health, we pride ourselves on adaptability,” Dr. Kiser adds. “Technology, innovation, education—it all comes together because we’re completely dialed into the evolving needs of each person who walks through our door.”
Dr. Zuzek shapes Dr. Ambrad’s case into a mold for the general public who may be shrugging off seeing a cardiologist due to lack of symptoms, time, or lifestyle changes simply chalked up to aging.
“If you have a murmur, come see us and get it checked out. The majority are benign flow murmurs, but aortic stenosis or some other cardiac impairment could have a sudden and severe impact,” he says.
“Preventive care, especially as you get older,” Dr. Ambrad starts. “One message I want to deliver to people like me is to get that checkup— even if it ends up just being for peace of mind.”
And if you live in Pennsylvania, then you’ll love this Dr. Zuzek analogy.
“I liken your body to a car,” he says. “You need to get it inspected at least once each year. That maintenance of new tires, oil change, all the typical elements, they ensure that the car, like your heart, runs as long and as smooth as you want it to.”
"At St. Clair Health, we pride ourselves on adaptability. Technology, innovation, education—it all comes together because we’re completely dialed into the evolving needs of each person who walks through our door.”
RYAN W. ZUZEK, MD, FACC
ANDY C. KISER, MD, MBA, FACS, FACC, FCCP
Physician-in-Chief
of Cardiovascular Services
Zuzek, a Peters Township resident, grew up in Cecil. The lifelong Pittsburgher who played soccer at Duquesne University, understands the importance of meeting patients where they are on their healthcare journey.
Dr. Zuzek serves as Chief of Cardiology and specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. He earned his medical degree at the University of Ireland in Galway. His postgraduate training includes an internal medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic, where he was later an attending physician. He completed cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowships at Brown University-affiliated hospitals in Providence, RI. Dr. Zuzek is boardcertified in internal medicine, cardiology, interventional and nuclear cardiology, and vascular medicine. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2025. To contact Dr. Zuzek, please call 412.942.7780.
“It’s really about making more good choices than bad—you’re never going to be 100 percent but you never want to be zero,” he says. “And the choices we make about our health, fitness, diet—all of it together—have consequences as you age.”
This hits home, especially related to aortic stenosis, where Dr. Zuzek notes Allegheny County’s annual ranking among the oldest populations in the country. Here he leans into another winding mile out there on the roads we all eventually travel.
“It takes time to pick up that calcium, the rust on the car, if you will,” he says. “But the national time-to-TAVR is more than 40 days, and we were able to get Dr. Ambrad’s procedure done within a week.”
Just as critical when every second counts:
“With TAVR, you’re going home the next day—often, even the same day. This is not open heart surgery, this is a procedure that is tolerated much better by patients.”
“This is a less invasive procedure for valve replacement aimed at patients like Dr. Ambrad who are in truly critical condition,” Dr. Kiser adds.
“I’m like a new person now,” Dr. Ambrad confirms. “I was walking the very next day and recovered quickly and completely.”
“Once you’re diagnosed we’re going to monitor your progress. We’re going to rule out other types of heart disease, make sure your coronary arteries are okay, and more. You’re going to know exactly where you’re at, exactly what you should and shouldn’t do, and how quickly you need to act,” Dr. Zuzek says.
Dr. Ambrad, a faith-based man, thanks the TAVR Team for holding hands and saying a prayer with his family after he was taken back for his procedure.
“Getting in earlier at St. Clair, as if by a miracle,” he says. “I’m here today because of how I got placed in the right hands for a reason.” n
ANDY C. KISER, MD, MBA, FACS, FACC, FCCP
Dr. Kiser serves as Physician-inChief of Cardiovascular Services and specializes in cardiac and thoracic surgery. He is board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Kiser earned his medical degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also completed a general surgery residency, fellowships in cardiac and thoracic surgery, served as the Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and later achieved his MBA. At East Carolina University, Dr. Kiser served as Chief of Cardiac Surgery and Director of Cardiovascular Surgical Services. He was also a Distinguished Professor at both institutions.
Dr. Kiser practices with St. Clair Medical Group and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2025. To contact Dr. Kiser, please call 412.942.5728.
NOTHING BUT NEXT
Perseverance and trust form unstoppable pick and roll with world-renowned shooting coach and expert care team.
The Jersey Shore. Early-1970s. Wildwood Boardwalk.
Basketball-obsessed Barry Brodzinski, 69, of Nottingham Township, was courting his now-wife, Jan.
“I knew that Barry played basketball at La Salle with Kobe Bryant’s dad, Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant,” says Jeffrey C. Liu, MD, FHRS, Director of Electrophysiology. “But the best story he ever told me was when he was sort of trolling the basketball shooting games trying to impress her.”
“They had these metal baskets that nobody was supposed to be able to make a shot on—well, I can really shoot it,” Barry confirms. “I went up there and just kept winning—‘til the point where they wouldn’t let me play anymore!”
Jan laughs as hard as Dr. Liu recalling the spoils of her husband’s gambit.
“It was one of the first things we ever did together on a date, shooting baskets on the Boardwalk. One time Barry won me a four-foot-tall teddy bear that followed us around for decades,” she says.
Barry jokes that the only time basketball ever got him in trouble with Jan came as they continued dating into college.
“We both went to La Salle—and my idea of fun often centered around the game,” he begins. “One night we went over to the Rec Center and I asked Jan if she would rebound for me while I practiced free throws. I got up to 117 in a row and she put the ball down and walked out.”
Barry, a self-described North Philly rowhouse kid, was an All-American at Philadelphia’s North Catholic High School—a 2,000-point scorer before the three-point line existed. In addition to those 117 consecutive free throws trying to impress Jan, his college exploits included an appearance in the 1975 NCAA Tournament. But his mark on the game would truly emerge from the coaching ranks.
“We had some really good teams at (Philadelphia’s) Roman Catholic, won a couple of championships, and I loved it,” he says.
In 1986, Pittsburgh came calling: Barry was recommended for an assistant coaching role at Duquesne University by legendary Hall of Fame Temple University basketball coach John Chaney. It was not his first run in the Steel City.
“I have so many great memories of our experiences with Howard Garfinkel’s Five Star Basketball Camps at Robert Morris,” Barry says. “Back in the day we made a VHS skills series with the likes of Rick Pitino, Mike Fratello, and Bob Knight—those tapes really helped me gain notoriety as a shooting coach.”
The list of names that rolled through for tutelage is a veritable who’s who of Dr. Liu’s childhood.
Laettner. Hill. Mashburn. Mourning.
And the best one of all: Jordan.
“I grew up in Murrysville and I’m a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan— Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, all of it,” Dr. Liu says. “But the 90s were the pinnacle of basketball. I was really into it, and without a local NBA team to root for, I definitely had that Chicago Bulls Starter jacket. And then one day, here I am working to figure out what’s going on with someone’s heart who worked on Michael Jordan’s jumper.”
After seven years at Brentwood High School—including a 20-win season highlighted by a Sectional Championship and state playoffs appearance from the jump—Barry’s basketball journey took the Brodzinskis from Bethel Park back to Philadelphia and then New Jersey.
“Unfortunately, I needed heart bypass surgery in 2015—and my atrial fibrillation (AFIB) started after that,” he says. “I felt connected to my cardiologist—he had saved my life—so when we moved back to Pittsburgh in 2022 to be closer to our children who had planted roots here, I had a hard time getting comfortable finding new doctors. I was stubborn. I thought I was above this thing—that I was going to cure AFIB myself and just work through it.”
Barry also had his knee replaced right before the return to Pittsburgh.
“The knee part went great,” he begins. “But a pulmonary embolism threw my heart totally out of whack. You cannot underestimate…having eight years of cardiology care in one place, and then moving and needing to trust someone new.”
Here, Dr. Liu emerged to run point.
“One of the great things about working at St. Clair Health is that we get to help people at many different stages of their healthcare journey,” he says. “Barry is very good at what he does, but when he comes to see us he’s a human being facing a health challenge, so we become his team.”
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm, also called an arrhythmia. AFIB can lead to blood clots in the heart, increase the risk of stroke and heart failure, and other heart-related ailments.
“This is a very successful person who has traveled the world proving his expertise time and again—and he was struggling,” Dr. Liu continues. “Our focus is, ‘How do we get you back to doing what you love?’ And I was fueled by the fact that Barry had experienced profound anxiety related to getting back to coaching, traveling to do so, and how we get him to a place where he’s really solid—so he can focus on doing his job versus what might go wrong with his heart.”
Dr. Liu notes that AFIB is prevalent, particularly among Western Pennsylvania’s aging population, and it’s a serious condition. Cardiac ablation is a quick and effective method to treat it.
Coach Brodzinski leading the way to the 1982 title at Philly's Roman Catholic.
“The typical narrative around heart health focuses around improving your diet and increasing activity levels to lose weight—and those things are important,” he says. “But with AFIB, it’s not just about getting in better shape— with someone like Barry, whose heart was weakening, medical intervention is necessary to get you where you want to be.”
“In its simplest terms, cardiac ablation is applying thermal energy to a body part (organ) in a concerted effort to create controlled damage,” Dr. Liu continues. “Specifically in the field of cardiology, the volume of cases has increased parallel to the volume of people out there struggling with AFIB.”
While AFIB is very common and serious, Dr. Liu also notes that at St. Clair Health, your care team always puts together a personalized gameplan.
“We start by casting a wide net—we meet you where you are in order to put you on the best path to achieve your (lifestyle) goals,” he says. “Cardiac ablation was the right intervention for Barry. Our Watchman™ program is for patients with stroke risk or who have problems with blood thinners. When treatment is needed for AFIB, you’re going to have options.”
JEFFREY C. LIU, MD, FHRS
Dr. Liu specializes in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, and cardiac electrophysiology. He earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center, served as Chief Resident at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, and completed fellowships in Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiac Electrophysiology at UPMC. Dr. Liu is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease, cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, and internal medicine. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2025. To contact Dr. Liu, please call 412.942.7900.
At St. Clair Health, cardiac ablation is an outpatient procedure where the vast majority of people are able to go home the very same day—90 percent or more of the time, according to Dr. Liu.
“Our main goal is to re-achieve normal heart rhythm and give you the best chance of maintaining that over time,” he says. “Our advanced technology—including a special 3D mapping system—creates a magnetic matrix and generates a map of your heart. That means we’re not reliant on X-Rays to place and guide our tools during your procedure, where we also use ultrasound inside your heart to avoid radiation.”
Dr. Liu’s focus on delivering a better patient experience isn’t relegated to his expertise as a “heart electrician.” It’s rooted in knowing that better patient outcomes are tied directly to treating the whole person.
“Jeff reached out directly and that’s what makes this place different,” says Nina M. Fatigati, MD, FACP, a primary care physician (PCP) with St. Clair Medical Group Internal Medicine. “At St. Clair Health, your care is a team sport.”
“In a way, Barry was looking for a new point guard in a PCP—his ‘home team.’ Part of my role
CHRISTOPHER PRAY, MD, FACC
Dr. Pray specializes in non-invasive cardiology. He earned his medical degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, and completed his residency at UPMC. He also completed fellowships in cardiology and cardiac MRI at UPMC. Dr. Pray is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, cardiology, and echocardiography. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2025. To contact Dr. Pray, please call 412.942.7900.
is helping to coordinate any emergent needs with our specialists across the St. Clair Health system. Barry’s case worked the other way because the cardiology team really understands that I’m going to be able to help address other aspects of care—from day-to-day function to mental health and anxiety associated with the(ir) acute heart challenges. They understand how those things play off each other and how important it is to understand the whole person.”
For Dr. Fatigati, it was abundantly clear why AFIB had made such an impact on Barry’s life.
“Our family mantra is all about being ‘in the mix,’ and he had reached a point where he was really struggling to be out there doing what he loves,” she says. “Barry’s anxiety centered around international flights and then working in another country. Part of that may appear obvious—‘What happens if I slip into AFIB or feel my heart flutter while I’m up in the air?’ And part of it, perhaps, less so: how are you not just thinking about what could go wrong while you’re on a basketball court in Italy?”
Dr. Fatigati tapped into the mind-body alley-oop as poignantly as the fastbreak offenses fed off hard-charging pressure defenses that Barry preferred as a coach.
NINA M. FATIGATI, MD, FACP
Dr. Fatigati serves as Chair of Medicine. She specializes in internal medicine and primary care. She is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Fatigati earned her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed residency at UPMC. She practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Fatigati, please call 724.731.0090.
Barry is back to teaching the game he loves.
“It’s an undeniable factor,” she says. “And it’s truly a sign of strength to be able to not only voice those concerns but then put in the effort to work through them.”
Mindfulness and being nonjudgemental are cornerstones of your care team at St. Clair Health.
“Barry is an incredible human being who’s achieved great things in every facet of his life,” Dr. Fatigati says. “As a PCP, it’s usually not hard to find ways to relate; at the same time, my perspective as a former athlete or a parent doesn’t make me assume that I know what you’re experiencing. It’s critical to break down the ‘game film’ of your life in order to find that breakthrough.”
To come through in the clutch for Barry, Dr. Fatigati leaned into another core member of the St. Clair Health home team, her husband, Christopher Pray, MD, FACC, Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology, Cardiac Imaging & Heart Failure Service.
“Collaboration is a buzzword that gets thrown around in healthcare,” he says. “One of the things that makes St. Clair Health so unique is that many of the members of your care team live right down the street, if you will. For Nina and I, it’s literally boring our kids through medical hypotheses at the dinner table. Expert care from people who care means that we take a different approach—this place is special.”
With Barry, Dr. Pray notes a shared humanity driven by an aggressive mindset passed from one expert to another.
“One of our main considerations was that Barry was simply not able to follow his heart—
he wasn’t continuing on with his life’s passion. But he had been through the rigors of open heart surgery and kept going, so we knew this was someone who was more than willing to fight to get back out there.”
In between cardiac ablation procedures performed by Dr. Liu, Barry went into congestive heart failure.
“If the team at St. Clair hadn’t worked through everything I experienced, together, then I would be a very sick man right now,” he says. “Instead, I’m the healthiest I’ve been in 10 years.”
Dr. Pray notes that Barry went from around 30 percent function in his heart to now being back to full, normal function.
“In concert with Dr. Liu’s cardiac ablations, we administered medications,” he says. “And not only did his heart function return to normal capacity, Barry continues to host shooting clinics in Italy where people come from all over the world to get help with their game. At St. Clair Health, we also have extensive cardiac rehabilitation services—think of them like PT (physical therapy) for your heart—and that would have been an option. Ultimately, Barry responded so well that he didn’t need it.”
A team-based setting where everyone takes great pride in the role they play makes each patient the star. The Brodzinskis noted another member of the starting lineup, Kayla S. Bellhy, PA-C.
“She’s a very special person and we sincerely appreciate our relationship with her that only enhanced the connective tissue throughout the care team,” says Jan.
“The quality of care is one thing,” Barry begins. “But the way they treat you as a human being takes St. Clair Health to another level. Each of them encouraged me to play an active role in my treatment and recovery—every step of the way.”
Jan and Barry have been married for 47 years and have four sons. Mike lives in Peters Township, works in business, and serves as a youth coach. Steve calls Whitehall home and runs Maximum Hoops, a player development organization focused on advanced basketball skills. Pete, born with Down Syndrome, is an actor who has appeared in several TV shows. And Greg, a former professional baseball player, now manages the Jersey Shore Blue Claws. All four are named after stars of the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship.
“Barry’s story, like so many at St. Clair Health, is truly about teamwork,” Dr. Pray says. “He’s the best of the best, he’s worked with the best, and we have the same mentality. We are intimately focused on quality and quantity of life. Barry’s short- and long-term goals were linked—he wanted to get back out on the court and he wanted to continue being out there into his 70s.”
“I’ll be 70 in June and I’m still able to demonstrate basketball and be out there on the floor getting shots up,” Barry says. “I used to joke with my translator in Italy that I wanted to keep going out there until I was 70—and this was 15 years ago. He looked around and said, ‘Hey if you’re still doing this that would be a heck of a thing.’ And it is. It’s a miracle of medicine.” n
WORKING BACK FROM THE BRINK
A young man’s great race to become the best version of himself turns tragedy into triumph.
The GORE® CARDIOFORM device is inserted into the heart across the interatrial septum to patch a patent foramen ovale. The procedure is minimally invasive and performed by interventional cardiologists in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at St.
Clair Health.
Ryan Kennedy, 39, of Scott Township, was born in Forest Hills on the east side of Pittsburgh. He grew up a big Steelers fan—the family had season tickets—before attending Central Catholic, just like his older brother and their dad. Ryan ran track and cross country to help get in better shape for basketball, foreshadowing a lifelong commitment to exploring how far he could push himself. He matriculated to Penn State—where his brother was a D1 runner—graduated with a degree in supply chain and information systems, and met his wife, Michele. They married in 2014 and embarked on respective rises—his through a smattering of local logos you’d surely recognize, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and American Eagle Outfitters; hers on the government side with the Department of Energy.
“I always had a passion for competition,” Ryan says. “I was a ‘weekend warrior’ before I knew that was a thing—playing in men’s basketball leagues, lifting weights, and running The Great Race several times.”
During the pandemic, Ryan transitioned to remote work with EFL Global, a leading supply chain and logistics solutions provider, further emboldening his dual passions: spending time with his wife and two young children and building up their home gym. Soon the squat rack was bookended by cardio machines.
“Toward the end of COVID, Michele would joke that everything I watched on social media or listened to on podcasts was fitness-related,” he says. “This is where I discovered HYROX, a new fitness race that included a combination of running and muscular endurance, almost like triathlon-meets-CrossFit. The event consists of eight one-kilometer runs followed by different stations, such as 1k on the SkiErg machine, a 375-pound sled push, or a 1k row.”
Founded by an Olympic hockey champion in Germany, HYROX—which alternately bills itself as The Fitness Competition for Every Body and The World Series of Fitness Racing—has grown into a global phenomenon with more than 80 races and 550,000 competitors around the world.
“I signed up for one in New York City because my wife is from Jersey— we parlayed the event into a trip to see the family,” Ryan says.
He came in third in his age group, qualifying for the World Championships in Las Vegas.
“I had no idea or expectation of that,” Ryan says, humbled by initial success. “That race was in May of 2022, so Michele and I were able to take a quick, much-needed vacation—and my brother, who lives in Los Angeles, was able to drive over and see us, too.”
The cycle continued with Ryan training and using HYROX as a way to travel with his family. His next race, in November of 2022, took place in Chicago, a city the Kennedys love because of all the family activities for the kids throughout the city around the event. This time, he finished first in his age group and again qualified for the World Championships, slated for the end of May 2023 in Manchester, England.
“Achieving my goals helped my confidence grow because it showed that the hard work was paying off,” he says. “Also, I knew going to England would be a great opportunity for Michele and I to travel.”
He was 37 years old and in the best shape of his life.
As Ryan tracked his progress into Spring of 2023, the Kennedys encountered dual family updates: Michele was expecting baby number three, while her mother experienced heart issues that would need surgery.
“It was serious, but we were hopeful and encouraged that everything would be fine. During the surgery toward the end of April, the damage to her heart was much worse than expected,” Ryan recalls. “Everything changed in our life over the course of a couple of days as Michele’s mom passed away on April 30th—which also happens to be Michele’s birthday.”
The family trip to England was canceled due to the grief they were experiencing. Little did they know, the coming weeks would not get easier.
Continued on Page 24
Dr. Hammer’s critical message: Act F.A.S.T. when you suffer a stroke.
June 1st marked the first day of Summer vacation for Connor, the couple’s oldest son, who had just completed first grade. Coincidentally, the family would have been in England for the HYROX World Championship race.
“It was a Thursday morning, and I was working in my office,” Ryan says. “Connor, who really loves baseball, came down and put on MLB Network to watch highlights from the day before. Maria, our 5-year-old daughter, would sleep until 10:00 AM many mornings. So, I let her sleep.”
Ryan settled in to take a quick work call.
“Out of nowhere I felt like someone grabbed the top of my head and the room started spinning,” he says. “My brain felt like it was in a blender.”
Ryan yelled out to his son to call 911 before stumbling to the front door and out onto the porch. Ryan was able to get the attention of a neighbor before going down as Connor ran over and told them to make the call.
“I remember feeling like I wanted to go to sleep—but hearing my neighbor tell me not to,” Ryan says. “EMS all but had to drag me to the ambulance.”
St. Clair Health was just 10 minutes away. Maxim D. Hammer, MD, MBA, Chief of Neurology, administered a full suite of tests as the room intermittently spun during a time loop that Ryan still calls a blur—and a period of the most intense sickness, weakness, and pain.
“But one thing I remember very clearly was Dr. Hammer’s calming presence as he explained that I had suffered a stroke,” Ryan says. “I couldn’t use the left side of my body, and the right side felt cold. I’m right-handed so I could at least pick up my fork, but the left side, even something as simple as trying to touch my index finger to my thumb, it just wasn’t happening.”
Dr. Hammer recalls that his message was as clear as it was concise.
“Whenever something like this happens to a professional athlete, it’s all over the news,” he says. “You can be young and physically fit and still have a stroke. The most important thing is to get evaluated by experts as soon as possible—you need to Act F.A.S.T. [See infographic below].”
The other key, consistent message regarding stroke focuses on prevention. Per Dr. Hammer, there are four components to note:
1). Controlling “risk factors” (smoking, drinking alcohol, hypertension, diabetes, weight, sleep apnea, arterial plaque)
2). Understand the cause of the stroke (an expert workup is helpful to understand the cause)
3). The goal is to minimize risk of recurrent stroke
4). In St. Clair’s patient population, a recent internal study (of 1,000 consecutive inpatient consults) showed approximately a 0.4 percent first-year recurrence rate
ACT F. A .S.T.
F: FACE DROOPING
Ask the person to smile. Is one side of their face drooping or numb?
A: ARM WEAKNESS
Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward or feel week/numb?
S: SPEECH DIFFICULTY
Is their speech slurred or strange?
Can they repeat a simple sentence correctly?
T: TIME TO CALL 911
If you see any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.
Time is critical—stroke treatment works best when given early (within a few hours).
Ryan put in the work one step at a time.
Identifying the cause of Ryan’s stroke brought more initially unsettling news.
“Finding the hole in my heart was almost a relief,” he says. “My first thought was, ‘Am I a ticking time bomb?’ But with Dr. Buchanan that shifted quickly to, ‘Okay, now we know.’ And he knew exactly what to do.”
Kyle D. Buchanan, MD, specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.
“Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the heart that didn’t close the way it should in the weeks and months after birth. One in four people have this,” he says. “And most will go their whole life without ever knowing. My heart went out to Ryan.”
The targeted treatment? PFO closure.
“It’s a minimally invasive procedure after what we call a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning we’ve ruled out other potential causes of a stroke,” Buchanan notes. “We perform an echocardiogram to look for cardioembolic phenomenon, most likely a clot that passed through and traveled to the brain, causing Ryan’s stroke. If the results of testing suggest a stroke is related to a PFO, the hole can be patched with a simple outpatient cardiac procedure.”
Lowering the risk of recurrent stroke as much as possible began right in the acute care setting.
“Everyone was adamant that I had a great shot to be okay long-term,” Ryan says. “They were also adamant about putting in the work.”
Another critical member of his care team was Amy Trotnick, PT, DPT, NCS
“After a stroke, your brain is primed for change to happen—both learning and re-learning ways of doing things,” she says. “To facilitate neuroplasticity, you want to get started with physical therapy (PT) as soon as possible.”
Dr. Trotnick is consistently amazed by the progress she sees.
“One of the reasons that stroke recovery is so fascinating is because it shows how resilient the brain is,” she says. “One day a patient may be struggling to stand, and a few days later, they’re walking.”
At St. Clair Health, a big part of your care team’s goal is tailoring recovery plans to what’s important to you. Dr. Trotnick noted how Ryan’s outpatient approach escalated— as approved—by his own intensity.
“There was a moment where I didn’t want to embrace what I had to do to get back to where I needed to be,” he says. “When I first started, maybe I was carrying a little dumbbell—but when one thing started to get easy it was on to the next thing. Before I knew it, I was standing with one foot on a Bosu ball catching a little ball like a wide receiver.”
Three months to the day of his stroke, Michele gave birth to the couple’s third child, Dante Ryan Kennedy, at St. Clair’s Family Birth Center.
“Michele is the most amazing person I have ever met. I don’t know how she did it all that Summer, but she led our family during the most challenging times of our lives,” Ryan says. “She was at the tail end of her pregnancy, taking care of me as I re-learned how to walk and complete daily activities. She took care of our two young children, continued her job as a CFO, and was dealing with the grief of tragically losing her mother. I truly feel like the luckiest person to have her as my wife.”
After a tumultuous Summer of rehab and his PFO closure procedure in August of 2023, Ryan was cleared by Dr. Buchanan for all physical activities toward the end of September. Slowly, Ryan eased his way back into training, gradually picked up the pace, and by the following Spring, he was back out at another HYROX event. Ryan recently completed his third race since his stroke and plans to continue competing in the future.
“2023 doesn’t seem real to me. I am so lucky to have such amazing family and friends that supported us,” he says. “2024 was a year of mental clarity and appreciation for everything. I was able to coach my son’s third-grade basketball team, and we had four rules: play hard, play together, play the right way, and have fun.” n
KYLE D. BUCHANAN, MD
Dr. Buchanan specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. He is board-certified buy the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Buchanan earned his medical degree at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at UPMC. He then completed cardiovascular disease fellowships at Medical College of Wisconsin and Georgetown/Medstar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Buchanan practices with St. Clair Medical Group. To contact Dr. Buchanan, please call 412,942.7900.
MAXIM D. HAMMER, MD, MBA
Dr. Hammer serves as Chief of Neurology. He earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, and completed his neurology residency at Cleveland Clinic, where he was elected Chief Resident. Dr. Hammer also completed a vascular neurology fellowship at UPMC. Before joining St. Clair, he held numerous titles, including Vice Chairman, Clinical Affairs, Department of Neurology; Clinical Director of Neurology; and Director of Stroke Services at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Dr. Hammer is an associate professor at Duquesne University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he teaches a clinical neurology course to medical students. He also serves as an adjunct professor, Department of Neurology, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Hammer practices with St. Clair Medical Group and was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2025. To contact Dr. Hammer, please call 412.932.6300.
LASTCALL
A CHANGE OF COURSE, A LIFE OF IMPACT
Clinical expertise & personal experience fuel a groundbreaking program.
Amy Simms Danner, BSN, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCK, once pictured her future in physical therapy, never imagining that a change in direction would one day lead her to the forefront of heart failure services at St. Clair Health.
Today, as a highly respected Advanced Practice Provider (APP) with St. Clair Medical Group Cardiology, Amy blends her personal experiences with deep clinical expertise to uplift patients with complex cardiac needs and their families.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in natural science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Amy discovered she was drawn more to hands-on caregiving. After some encouragement from family, the Bethel Park native returned to school to earn an associate degree in nursing from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC).
Her early career took root at Mercy Hospital, where she worked in a cardiovascular-surgical step-down unit. She took on subsequent nursing roles in the gastroenterology lab, radiology, and stress testing—absorbing everything she could about patient care in the cardiology setting. Amy said, “Cardiovascular care taught me how vital each day can be for a patient, and for their family.”
It wasn’t just her career in cardiovascular care that reinforced this point. It was also her personal experience as the primary caregiver for her eldest daughter, Haley, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a toddler—only two months after Amy’s younger daughter, Samantha, was born.
“Caring for Haley gave me an entirely different perspective,” Amy shares. “When you’re on the family side, you learn how important it is to feel heard by the clinical team. I always keep that in mind when caring for my patients.”
Amy balanced this profound personal journey with her nursing career and ongoing education for many years. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Penn State–New Kensington, she continued her career in cardiac care at Shadyside Hospital while earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNP-BC) in cardiopulmonary at the University of Pittsburgh.
With her growing expertise in cardiac care, Amy recalled, “I wanted more autonomy, more opportunity to help guide patients and families through complex health journeys.” This inspired her to transition to an APP role with US Heart and Vascular, working with physicians such as Ryan W. Zuzek, MD, and David J. Burkey, MD, to primarily treat patients at St. Clair Hospital.
Over time, she grew to love the collaborative hospital environment and officially joined St. Clair Health in 2011 to expand her knowledge with other disease processes as a member of the hospital medicine team. Amy gained invaluable experience following patients through the full continuum of care during her 11 years in this role. She also received flexibility and boundless support from everyone at St. Clair Health as she continued balancing her career with caregiving.
“I didn’t realize how special St. Clair Health was when I started,” shared Amy. “But after working here—seeing the camaraderie, support, and respect for what each person brings to the table—I decided this was home. It’s where I wanted to stay until I retire.”
Amy had an opportunity to return to cardiovascular medicine when Christopher Pray, MD, approached her to help create and lead a new Heart Failure Program at St. Clair Health. According to
Amy, “This had always been a dream of mine. I previously studied congestive heart failure, and of course, I had personal reasons for wanting to help others with the condition.”
Over the years, Amy’s eldest daughter developed serious cardiac complications of muscular dystrophy, including atrial fibrillation and heart failure. While Haley passed away three years ago, at the age of 26, Amy’s colleagues believe she lived a longer, high-quality life due to Amy’s medical expertise and advocacy.
John P. Girod, DO, who practices with St. Clair Medical Group Cardiology and works closely with Amy through the Heart Failure Program, has observed firsthand how her personal journey influences her work. “Amy, like me, had a family member with cardiac issues, so she treats patients like she’d want her own family to be cared for,” he noted.
Dr. Girod also recognizes the integral role she has played in improving team dynamics and providing a clear follow-up path for patients after discharge. He said, “APPs like Amy have close relationships with nursing services, which improves communication across our teams. They also have the capacity to spend additional time with patients when needed.”
Amy’s colleagues and patients alike describe her as a kind, easily approachable provider who treats everyone with respect. So it is no surprise that Amy has been instrumental in expanding and strengthening the Heart Failure Program to become more comprehensive and collaborative in its approach to managing patients.
“So many specialties come together to treat heart failure,” Amy explained. “From cardiology and cardiac surgery, to hospital medicine and nephrology, we all collaborate
with each other in real time to decide what the patient needs most. This continuity of care makes a huge difference.”
Amy finds motivation in seeing patients who embrace treatment plans and make lifestyle changes that give them more years. “I can’t tell you how rewarding it feels when someone comes back after losing weight, exercising, and sticking to their plan. That’s why I’m here,” she said.
While helping patients thrive is Amy’s ultimate goal, she also devotes time to palliative care and hospice transition for end-stage heart failure. She shared, “It can be challenging to have those hard conversations, but my own experience taught me how precious time is. Sometimes it’s less about quantity and more about quality— living comfortably and meaningfully.”
Amy continued, “My experience with my daughter has shaped how I care for patients. I try to give them, as well as their families, the confidence and knowledge to take charge of their health and improve quality of life.”
Amy believes in “never underestimating what a supportive community can do.” Her own life—and the life of her daughter— proved just how far determined health professionals can go when they join forces. And at St. Clair Health, she’s found the team to make that vision a reality.
“If you’re looking for a place that values teamwork, that gives you the freedom to grow and learn, and that genuinely cares about you as a person—St. Clair Health is it,” she says. “It’s a place I feel proud to represent.” n
Expert care from people who care. It’s more than our tagline—it’s the relentless drive we bring to carry out our mission every single day. Interested in joining the team? Follow St. Clair Health Careers on Facebook and LinkedIn or visit stclair.org.