New Provider WelcomeSEPTEMBER 13, 2018

Katherine Abtahi, DOEastern Iowa Health Center

Medical Degree, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency in OB/Gyn, Wright State University

Prior to coming to Iowa, she resided in Dayton, Ohio and practiced at Wright State University and Miami Valley Women’s Health Center

At Wright State University, she was responsible for resident and medical student education

Sayeed Ahmed, MDCRMEF Resident 1

MBBS, Rajshahi Medical College, Bangladesh

MHA, Des Moines University, Des Moines

Nursing degree, Mercy College, Des Moines and nurse practitioner degree from Simmons College, Boston

Prior to joining CRMEF, he worked as a NP hospitalist at Mercy, Des Moines

He is married and has two daughters

Silvia Alvarez, MDMercy Pulmonology Clinic

Medical Degree, San Carlos University, Guatemala

Residency in Internal Medicine, New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center

Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care, New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

She enjoys playing piano, reading and watching movies

Jonathan Arnold, MDMercy Healing Center

Medical Degree, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

FM Residency, Baptist Medical Center, Deaconess Hospital

Prior to coming to Cedar Rapids was a medical director in wound healing at Fort Madison Community Hospital and Great River Medical Center in West Burlington

Board Certified in FM, Preventative Medicine and Wound Management

Rachel Atherton, MDCRMEF Resident 1

Undergraduate Degree, Central College, Pella

Medical Degree, University of Iowa She grew up in Cedar Falls She enjoys spending time with

family including her husband and several nieces and nephews

She likes baking, cooking and swimming

She has a dog named Ellie

Sadra Azizi, MDMercy Gastroenterology Clinic

Medical Degree, Albany Medical College

Internal Medicine Residency, Albany Medical Center

Coming to Cedar Rapids from Fellowship in Gastroenterology, Albany Medical Center

Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Enjoys playing basketball and has an extensive collection of shoes

Kristin Baker, ARNP, DNPUnityPoint Multi-Specialty – Infectious Disease

DNP, MSN and BSN all from University of Iowa

Prior to taking the position in Infectious Disease, she was a Nurse Practitioner at the UnityPoint Family Practice Clinic in Marion

Prior to that, she was a clinical research assistant, nursing assistant, and RN at the U of I

She enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, gardening and exercising

David Barnes, MDMercy Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic

Medical Degree, University of Tennessee

Surgery Residency, Baptist Memorial Hospital

Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency, Northwestern University Medical School

Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery Fellowship, Northwestern University Medical School

When not working at Mercy, he is at home in Chattanooga, TN

Hillary Behn, ARNPMercy Cardiology Clinic

BSN, Mount Mercy University MSN, FNP, Chamberlain College of

Nursing in Downers Grove, IL Trained in adult cardiology and

family practice Prior to coming to Mercy, she was

an RN in the Critical Care Unit and Cardiovascular Surgery Recovery Unit at Mercy – North Iowa

Enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and Iowa Hawkeye Football

Andrew Behounek, ARNPMercy Cardiology Clinic

BSN, Mt. Mercy University FNP, Allen College He comes to us from Mercy Iowa

City where he was an ICU nurse and most recently a House Supervisor

He used to work at Mercy as a patient care tech and ICU nurse back in 2004-2010

He has a wife and daughter at home

Oleksandra Bem, MDCRMEF Resident 1

Medical School, Odessa National Medical University, Ukraine

She came to the US first living and working in Florida

She is happy with the four seasons of the Midwest

Special interest in obstetrics, as well as inpatient and outpatient medicine

She and her husband enjoy traveling, kayaking and making framed bug art

Molly Berger, PA-CMercyCare Prairie Creek

BS, Illinois State University Master of PA Studies, University of

Iowa Interests in Family Medicine,

dermatology and pediatrics Member of the American

Academy of Physician Assistants Enjoys time outdoors, baking and

spending time with family

Erin Burns, ARNP, MSNMercy NICU

MSN, University of Iowa Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Certificate, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Board Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Certified Critical Care RN Prior to coming to Mercy she

worked in the NICU and PICU at the University of Iowa

Kyle Cassidy-Wescott, MDCRMEF Resident 1

Undergraduate Degree, Coe College

Medical Degree, American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten

Iowa native, born and raised in Springville

Enjoys basketball, exercising and trying new foods/wines and traveling

Has a golden retriever named Midas

Kashif Chaudhry, MDMercy Cardiology Clinic

Bachelor of Medicine from Pakistan Residency in Internal Medicine, Mt. Sinai

School of Medicine Fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine

and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Fellowship in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Maryland

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and is board eligible in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

Award winning writer, Blogger at The Huffington Post

Enjoys photography, traveling, writing and soccer

Melissa Deer, DOCedar Rapids OB/Gyn Specialists

Undergraduate Degree in Biology and Spanish, Simpson College

Medical Degree and residency, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Professional interests include obstetrics including vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), infertility, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

She is engaged and they have a puppy

Michelle Dole, DPMPCI Podiatry

BA/BS, University of Northern Iowa Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Dr.

William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine

Residency, Hennepin County Medical Center

Special interests in sports injuries, fractures, bunions, flatfoot reconstruction and diabetic limb salvage

Enjoys time with family, reading and traveling

Rene Duregger, MDMercy Family Counseling

Medical Degree, St. George’s University School of Medicine, West Indies

Residency in Psychiatry, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Residency in Child Psychiatry, University of Iowa

Board certified by American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Before joining Mercy, Dr. Duregger was a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Nevada, Mo

Amal El-Bakush, MDMercy Pulmonology Clinic

Medical School, University of Tripoli, Libya

Residency in Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center

Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care, East Carolina University/Vidant Medical Center

Special interest in asthma, COPD, diffuse lung disease, pleural diseases, lung cancer, bronchoscopy, Endobronchial procedures and EBUS

R. Joe Ewing, MDMercy Gastroenterology Clinic

Medical degree, University of Iowa Residency and fellowship,

University of Iowa Has worked for Mercy

Gastroenterology at Mercy Iowa City 2010-2018

Prior to working at Mercy Iowa City he managed his own independent clinic – Gastroenterology Associates of IC

He is currently practicing in Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant in addition to Cedar Rapids

Kara Fort, FNP, MSNMercy Palliative Care

MSN and Family Nurse Practitioner degree, Chamberlain College of Nursing

BSN, Iowa Wesleyan College Member of the Iowa Nurses

Association Prior to coming to Mercy, worked

at the University of Iowa and Mercy Iowa City

Michaelangelo Fuortes, MDRadiology Consultants of Iowa

Medical Degree, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn NY

Fellowship in Neuroradiology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

Specialty: Neuroradiology In practice since: 2013 With RCI since: August 2018

Steve Gunn, PA-CMercy Cardiothoracic &Vascular Clinic

BA, University of Northern Iowa Physician Assistant Studies, Des

Moines University Member of National Commission

on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants

Enjoys time with family, camping, traveling, gardening and sports.

Scott Harring, MDRadiology Consultants of Iowa

Medical Degree, Washington University

Fellowship in Abdominal Imaging, Duke University

Specialty: Abdominal Imaging, Breast Imaging

In practice since: 2013 With RCI since: August 2018

Patrick Hawkes, MDAesthetic Consultants of Iowa

Medical Degree, University of Utah Residency in General Surgery,

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Residency in Plastic Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Married with 3 wonderful children Enjoys the outdoors and spending

time with his family

Michael Hierl, MDRadiology Consultants of Iowa

Medical Degree, Temple University School of Medicine

Fellowship in Musculoskeletal, Rush University Medical Center

Specialty: Musculoskeletal Radiology

In practice since: 2013 With RCI since: July 2018

Danielle Howsare, DOCRMEF Resident 1

BS in Biology, University of Northwestern – St. Paul

Medical Degree, A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Two favorite parts of Family Medicine is pediatrics and women’s health

Lifelong Hawkeye fan, raised in Iowa City

Played 4 years of NCAA Volleyball while at Northwestern

Robin Hynek, ARNPMercy Pulmonology Clinic

BSN, Mt. Mercy College Masters in Nursing, Adult

Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Walden University

Special interest in gerontology, critical care and pulmonology

Enjoys time with family, being outdoors, gardening, decorating, golf and dogs

David Jerkins, MDPCI Plastic Surgery

BS in Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston

MD, University of Texas Health Science Center

Plastics Residency, Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine

Special interest in breast and Mohs reconstruction

Enjoys backpacking, scuba diving and playing soccer

Kim Keiser, ARNPMercyCare Urgent Care

BA, Iowa State University ADN, Kirkwood Community

College BSN, Mt. Mercy University FNP, Allen College Specialty is Urgent care Prior experience as a staff RN at

Mercy in neurosurgery/oncology and birthplace

David Kowalczyk, MDMercy Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic

Medical Degree, Virginia Commonwealth University/ Medical College of Virginia

MBA, University of Mississippi

ENT Residency, The University of Mississippi Medical Center

Member of American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery and American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Rob Lancaster, ARNP, DNPMercyCare Vernon Village

BA, University of Northern Iowa MSN, University of Iowa DNP, Rush University Special interest in Men’s Health,

LGBTQ+ Health and Integrative Medicine

Enjoys running, cycling, yoga, health and fitness, cooking, reading and travel

Brendan Leiran, PA-CPCI Orthopaedics

BA/BS in Biology, Coe College Master of Physician Assistant

Studies, St. Ambrose University Participates in the American

Academy of Physician Assistants and Iowa Physician Assistant Society

Enjoys time with his fiancé and golden retriever, pick-up basketball, slow pitch and other outdoor activities

George Luiken, MDThe Ghosh Center

Medical Degree, University of Iowa Residency in Internal Medicine,

Naval Medical Center, San Diego Fellowship in Oncology, Naval

Medical Center, San Diego Board certified in Internal

Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology

Nicholas Masse, MDRadiology Consultants of Iowa

Medical Degree, Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Fellowship in Breast Imaging, University of Chicago Medical Center

Specialty: Breast Imaging In Practice since: June 2018 With RCI since: September 2018

Ramya Maturu, MDSound Physicians

Medical Degree, Kakatiya Medical College in South India

Internship and Residency, Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation

She enjoys singing Indian classical music, cooking Indian food, traveling, yoga and spending time with family

She is married to Dr. Sujan Vadarevu who also works at Mercy with Sound Physicians and they have a 7 mo. old baby girl

Maureen McDonagh, DNP, ARNPMercy Family Counseling

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, University of Iowa

DNP, University of Iowa MSN, ARNP, University of Iowa BSN, University of Iowa Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse

Practitioner Board Certified and Family Nurse Practitioner Certified

Worked in Dubuque prior to coming to Cedar Rapids

Dog lover

Tiernan Murphy, MDCRMEF Resident 1

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick

Medical Degree, Saba University School of Medicine

Played soccer for University of New Brunswick on the Varsity Reds

He and his wife live in Cedar Rapids with twin sons and daughter

Enjoys sports, music and camping

Karen Nelson, PhD, HSPCRMEF Faculty

Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, Northwestern University

Prior to joining CRMEF, she worked at University of Iowa on the clinical faculty in Psychiatry where she focused on teaching residents, psychotherapy and formal assessment.

Special interests are teaching and motivational interviewing, treatment of behavior dysregulation, depression, and anxiety including OCD.

Enjoys time with family, working out, reading and cooking

Robert Null, MDWolfe Eye Clinic

Medical Degree, University of Iowa Ophthalmology residency,

University of Kansas Medical Center

Glaucoma Fellowship, University of Pittsburg

Member of American Glaucoma Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Enjoys hiking, skiing, golfing, collecting vinyl records and spending time with his wife Kendra Null, OD

Erica Pasterski, ARNP, FNP-CPCI Orthopaedics

BSN, Mount Mercy University DNP, Clarke University, Dubuque Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Special interests in general

orthopedic procedures and health promotion

Callie Pittard, DOCRMEF Resident 1

Undergraduate, University of Nebraska

Masters in Biomedical Sciences and Medical Degree, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

Special interests in women’s health, obstetrics, palliative care and rural medicine

Enjoys running, trying new restaurants and visiting family

Chad Proctor, BSN, FNP, MSNMercy Palliative Care/MercyCare Health Partners

BSN, University of Iowa FNP, Walden University Certified Clinical Documentation

Specialist Prior to becoming a FNP, Chad

was an assistant nurse manager for the Surgical Inpatient Unit at Mercy and Nurse Manager at University of Iowa

Jeffrey Ralston, MDPCI Orthopaedics

BS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa

Medical Degree, University of Iowa Residency in orthopedic surgery,

Ohio State University Hospitals Research fellowship, Ohio State

University Hospitals Fellowship, Orthopedic Trauma

and Adult Reconstruction, University of Toronto at Sunnybrook

Board Certified Orthopedics

Srikanth Ravisankar, MD, FAAPMercy NICU

MBBS, Sri Ramachandra Medical College in India

Medical Degree, Harvard Medical School

Pediatric Residency and Neonatal Perinatal Medicine Fellowship, East Carolina University/Brody School of Medicine

Enjoys table tennis, playing mridangam, swimming and Cricket

Anna Riessen, MDLinn County Anesthesiologists

Medical School, University of Iowa Residency in Anesthesia, University

of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Fellowship in Critical Care

Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Hassan Sajjad, MDMercy Pulmonology Clinic

MBBS, Aga Khan University, Pakistan

Internal Medicine Residency, Indiana University Hospital

Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine Fellowship, University of Iowa

Board certified in Internal Medicine

Enjoys traveling, reading and photography

Lori Schumann, ARNP-CPCI Neurology

BSN, Mt. Mercy University MS, Graceland University Certified through Iowa Board of

Nursing and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Specialties in neurology and sleep medicine

Harinder Singh, MD, CCDPCI Rheumatology

MBBS, University of Delhi, India Internal Medicine Residency,

Saginaw Co-operative Hospitals Rheumatology Fellowship,

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Geriatrics Fellowship, University of Texas Medical Branch

Board certified in Rheumatology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine

Padget Skogman, MDMercy Pediatric Clinic

BA in Economics, College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University

Medical Degree, University of Iowa Pediatric Residency, University of

Iowa Interest in pediatric obesity, Type 1

diabetes, mental health in adolescence, medical economics and medical education

She enjoys interior design, jogging, yoga, baking and learning to golf

Christine Walker, ARNPLinn Co. Emergency Medicine

Allied Health Education, Graceland University

Certified through AANP Worked in healthcare as a

paramedic and nurse since 1995 Prior to coming to Cedar Rapids

she worked in Tampa, FL as a charge nurse in the ER

She has also previously been an ER manager in St. Louis and a flight nurse for the University of MO

Bradley Willis, MD, MHPCRMEF Faculty

Undergraduate Degree, University of Southern Indiana

Medical Degree, University of St. Eustatius School of Medicine

Prior to medical school, he was a social worker and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst

He is family oriented and loves animals

He enjoys cooking, baking, playing cards, board games and bowling