Allegheny Health Network

We are thrilled that a new cohort of physicians have joined the CVI, and we warmly welcome them to Allegheny Health Network. These talented individuals add much needed expertise to expand the breadth/depth of cardiovascular care we provide in the region. We’re proud to share the following:

Dr. Davies completed medical school at Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota. He then did residency in internal medicine, fellowship in cardiovascular medicine, and fellowship in advanced cardiac imaging, all at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. His clinical and academic interests include cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR, AL), advanced cardiovascular imaging (Cardiac MRI, CT, PET, and echocardiography), cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic, dilated, genetic, substance/medication-induced), and systemic heart diseases. His wife Sushma (an AHN movement disorders neurologist) moved from Minnesota with our English Cocker Spaniel "Indy.” He enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, golfing, music, and cooking/eating great food. He loves baseball and is excited to be entrenched Pittsburgh’s sports culture. He will primarily be working at AHN Allegheny General.

Dr. Morgan completed medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (Blacksburg, VA). She came to Pennsylvania to complete her internal medicine and pediatrics residency at Geisinger Medical Center. She then completed fellowship in multidisciplinary critical care medicine (IM/CCM) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she was Chief Fellow.

Her special interests within critical care are primarily related to mechanical circulatory support (especially ECMO) in additional to patient safety (primarily satisfaction and communication). Outside of medicine, she loves spending time outdoors from hiking/running to gardening. She loves cooking and experimenting with new recipes; recently she started dabbling in mixology! She also has a strong creative side and enjoys watercolor and painting. She will be working at AHN Allegheny General.

Dr. Pesyna is a Pittsburgh native, returning home from New York City. He completed medical school at the University of Chicago in Chicago, IL. This was followed by an emergency medicine residency at the Icahn School of Medicine, and anesthesiology critical care medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital; both in New York, NY. For the past three years, he was an attending physician at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Cardiothoracic and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, and its Department of Emergency Medicine. He has particular interest in mechanical circulatory support, emergency airway management, and the use of transesophageal echo at the bedside of critically ill patients. He will be working at AHN Allegheny General.

Valentino Bianco, DO, MPH is a board-certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon specializing in cardiac and advanced aortic surgery. Dr. Bianco obtained his Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his medical degree at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University. He went on to do his residency training in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Aortic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. After Fellowship, Dr. Bianco was an attending surgeon at Mayo Clinic Arizona and worked as a Senior Associate Consultant in the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, performing cardiac and advanced aortic surgery. He has numerous national presentations and peer reviewed publications, with a primary focus on clinical outcomes research in cardiac and aortic surgery.

Dr. Nestasie is an interventional cardiologist with AHN Cardiovascular Institute focusing on diagnosing and treating complex heart conditions for patients. Dr. Nestasie attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. He then completed his internal medicine residency and general cardiology fellowship at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he also served as Chief Medical Resident and Chief Cardiology Fellow. During his fellowship, He was inducted to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society through Drexel University College of Medicine for his high academic achievement and demonstration of leadership, education, and service. He was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. In his free time, he enjoys watching all 3 major Pittsburgh sports teams, outside activities with his family, and helping to coach his son in baseball. His clinical interests include complex coronary artery disease, cardiogenic shock, mechanical circulatory support, pulmonary embolus percutaneous therapies, and left atrial appendage occlusion. He will primarily be at AHN West Penn and AHN Allegheny General.

Dr. Khurana completed his medical school at Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner, India. He completed internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT. He came to Pittsburgh for his fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA where he also served as Chief Cardiology Fellow; then remained at Allegheny General Hospital for a one-year fellowship in interventional cardiology. His clinical interests lie in coronary artery disease interventions, structural heart procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), pulmonary embolism therapies, and mechanical circulatory support devices. He will primarily be at AHN Forbes and AHN Hempfield.

Dr. Siddique finished medical school at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, India. She completed her internal medicine residency at Coney Island hospital in Brooklyn, NY. This was followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine from Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She has an interest in clinical and imaging cardiology, and is excited for what practice has to offer at AHN St. Vincent.

Articles

A new cohort of physicians has joined Allegheny Health Network, enhancing cardiovascular and critical care services. Dr. Daniel Davies specializes in cardiac amyloidosis and advanced imaging. Dr. Amelia Morgan focuses on mechanical circulatory support and patient safety. Dr. Colin Pesyna brings expertise in emergency airway management and transesophageal echo. Dr. Valentino Bianco is a cardiothoracic surgeon with a focus on cardiac and aortic surgery outcomes. Dr. Michael Nestasie and Dr. Abhas Khurana specialize in interventional cardiology, with interests in complex coronary interventions and structural heart procedures. Dr. Saniya Siddique focuses on clinical and imaging cardiology.

AHN Welcomes New Physicians

David Stapor, MD
Credit: Allegheny Health Network

At the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Orthopaedic Institute, bone health is always a focus. AHN Jefferson Hospital was the first medical center in western Pennsylvania to participate in the American Orthopaedic Association’s Own the Bone® program, which uses proven bone care practices along with personalized support to help patients live a full and active life after experiencing a fragility fracture.

Once patients are discharged from the hospital after a fragility fracture, they can be referred to the AHN Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Clinic for more specialized care. AHN first brought this dedicated osteoporosis clinic to the region in 2020 and now treats patients in six locations across Pittsburgh’s southern suburbs.

The clinic treats patients who have sustained fragility fractures, provides preventive care for patients with osteoppenia, and helps patients prepare for spine and total joint surgery. Our osteoporosis experts use research-based practices to help strengthen bones and prevent fragility fractures. We also coordinate treatments with primary care providers and other specialists to make sure everything aligns with each patient’s overall health goals.

“We collaborate closely with primary care providers, physical therapists, and other specialists to ensure our patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care,” said David Stapor, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at AHN and lead physician at the Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Clinic. “We want to make sure everyone is on the same page and working together to achieve the best possible outcome.”

As part of their comprehensive osteoporosis treatment plan, your patients will have access to a wide range of services including on-site medication injections and infusions, lifestyle and nutrition counseling, collaboration with physical therapy for balance and gait training, and certified professionals in DEXA scan interpretation. “Our goal is to provide a truly holistic approach to bone health,” said Stapor. “We want to empower and educate patients to take control of their bone health and live active, fulfilling lives.”

To refer your patients to the AHN Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Clinic, call (412) 267-6200.

The AHN Orthopaedic Institute prioritizes bone health, with AHN Jefferson Hospital being the first in western Pennsylvania to join the Own the Bone® program. This initiative focuses on comprehensive care for patients post-fragility fracture, offering specialized services through the AHN Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Clinic. The clinic, established in 2020, provides preventive care, surgery preparation, and treatment coordination with primary care and specialists. Services include medication, lifestyle counseling, and physical therapy collaboration, aiming for a holistic approach to empower patients in managing their bone health.

Allegheny Health Network: A Pioneer in the Prevention and Care of Osteoporosis

Gursimran Kochhar, MD
Credit: Allegheny Health Network

While most polyps can be removed safely and effectively during a routine colonoscopy, some polyps are complex, around 5- 10%. Managing and treating complex polyps can present unique challenges.

Complex polyps — those that are larger than 2 centimeters, located in hard-to-reach spots, have concerning features, or are present in patients with a family history of colorectal cancer — often require additional procedures and the expertise of a highly skilled physician or surgeon.

With the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, we understand the complexities of these cases and offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for your patients. “Our goal is to provide the most effective and least invasive treatment possible while minimizing the risk of recurrence,” says Gursimran Kochhar, MD, a gastroenterologist at AHN Allegheny General Hospital.

To remove complex polyps and prevent recurrence, doctors at AHN offer endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic full thickness resection. These techniques are minimally invasive and allow for the removal of large or complex polyps with minimal scarring and a faster recovery time. “These techniques have now become the 1st line in management of colorectal polyps, thereby avoiding the need for surgery”,” says Dr. Kochhar.

Our multidisciplinary team of experienced gastroenterologists, surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists ensures that each patient receives a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan tailored to their needs. Your patients will have access to the latest advancements, including advanced endoscopy techniques, minimally invasive surgery, and innovative therapies.

AHN is committed to providing patients with the most advanced and effective treatment options available, including these minimally invasive approaches to managing complex polyps.

To refer your patient to the AHN Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, call 844-637-3337.

Complex polyps, which constitute 10-15% of cases, pose unique challenges due to their size, location, or patient history. The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) offers a multidisciplinary approach to manage these polyps, emphasizing minimally invasive techniques like endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. These methods are effective for patients unsuitable for traditional surgery, ensuring minimal scarring and faster recovery. AHN's team of specialists provides comprehensive evaluations and individualized treatment plans, utilizing the latest advancements in endoscopy and innovative therapies to optimize patient outcomes.

Minimally Invasive Techniques to Manage Complex Polyps at Allegheny Health Network

Walter McGregor, MD
Credit: Allegheny Health Network

Mitral valve disease is the most common form of heart valve disease in the US, but it’s not always easy to detect in its early stages. 

“People can present with just fatigue,” said Walter McGregor, MD, director of the cardiac surgery division at AHN. “They’re not feeling well and they don’t have the same drive or energy that they used to, but they’re not sure if it’s just aging or something that’s a problem.”

Some of the other signs and symptoms that a patient might present that indicate mitral valve disease include dyspnea, orthopnea, and a new murmur. To help improve the outcomes for these patients, they should be referred to a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon with expertise in mitral valve disease. 

“Early referral empowers patients by allowing them to make informed decisions about their treatment options,” said McGregor. “It can lead to improved long-term patient outcomes, including increased life expectancy and quality of life.”

Patients who are referred early are more likely to have a successful mitral valve repair and are less likely to experience complications or need further surgery. 

“In the world of heart surgery, there aren't a lot of things that allow us to keep people on a normal life expectancy curve, and early referral is one of them,” said McGregor. “It's truly a chance to almost cure a disease state, which is exciting.”

The AHN Mitral Valve Program at Allegheny General Hospital is one of around 20 programs throughout the country designated by the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for mitral valve repair work. The program was awarded that designation in 2023 and is the only program in Pennsylvania to receive that designation.

Patients referred to the AHN Mitral Valve Program have access to the latest surgical techniques and technologies, including minimally invasive robotic surgery that helps them recover faster and boasts improved cosmetic outcomes. 

“We work very hard to understand every individual’s disease state,” said McGregor. “We make sure that we have a genuine appreciation of any risks that they might have so we can mitigate that risk and come up with the best therapy option for them.”

While most patients with isolated mitral valve disease are good candidates for minimally invasive surgery, patients with significant iliofemoral calcification or a moderate or greater amount of calcium around their mitral valve may be better suited for traditional open-heart surgery. 

“The first thing that I really try to emphasize for our patients is that no matter what treatment that we guide them toward and recommend, we’re always looking to partner with our patients on these decisions,” McGregor adds.

At the end of the day, early referral to a cardiac surgeon with expertise in mitral valve disease is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

“If there’s a leading cardiologist or a leading cardiac surgeon in your medical community that really champions themselves as being a leader in the mitral valve space, that’s the person to get your patients into for an evaluation,” said McGregor. “When your patients see someone with an experienced eye in the mitral disease space, you’ll find that they’re better able to make the decision as to who can wait for surgery versus who needs surgery sooner rather than later.”

To make a referral to the AHN Mitral Valve Program, call 412-359-8180 or 1-800-MD-REFER.