Meet the Physician Team
Nepal Chowdury, MD
Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Location: St. Mary’s Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons
Dr. Nepal Chowdhury is a cardiothoracic surgery specialist at SMMC and has more than 36 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Bangladesh.
Richard Heuer, MD
Specialty: Thoracic Surgery
Location: St. Mary’s Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons
Dr. Richard Heuer is a thoracic surgeon at SMMC and has expertise in treating routine and complex heart and vascular surgical diseases. He received his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine and has more than 35 years of experience in the medical field.
Juan Bastidas, MD
Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Location: St. Mary’s Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons
Dr. Juan Bastidas is a cardiothoracic surgery specialist at SMMC with a special interest in esophageal and lung surgeries. He received his medical degree from Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario in Bogota, Colombia and has more than 25 years of experience in the medical field.
Esam Baryun, MD
Specialty: Electrophysiology
Location: St. Mary’s Electrophysiology
Dr. Esam Baryun is a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at SMMC with expertise in treating conditions like arrhythmias, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. He received his medical degree from the University of Tripoli School of Medicine in Libya and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Aamir Cheema, MD
Specialty: Electrophysiology
Location: St. Mary’s Electrophysiology
Dr. Aamir Cheema is a cardiology specialist at SMMC with extensive experience in heart conditions. He graduated from the University of the Punjab/Fatima Jinnah Medical College for Women in Pakistan in 2000.
Khalid Abozguia, MD, PhD
Specialty: Electrophysiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Khalid Abozguia received his training in prestigious institutions in both the United Kingdom and the United States, equipping him with a diverse range of clinical skills and knowledge to treat complex heart disease. Dr. Abozguia is recognized for his pioneering work in implanting Watchman Flex closure devices and performing the first CardioNeuroAblation (CNA) procedure within West Virginia. He is also known for his expertise in practicing the Zero Fluoroscopy technique for ablation procedures, which allow accurate catheter guidance during surgery using heart-mapping via echolocation, rather than fluoroscopic emission of radiation within the patient’s heart. Dr. Abozquia is an associate professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Salem Badr, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Salem Badr is a cardiology specialist with Marshall Health and specializes in treating coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy and heart valve surgery. He received his medical degree from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Badr is an assistant professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Silvestre Cansino, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Silvestre Cansino is a cardiology specialist with Marshall Health and has expertise in treating chronic high blood pressure, heart failure and coronary artery disease. He received his medical degree from Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in the Philippines. Dr. Cansino is a Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Zachary Curtis, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Zachary Curtis is a cardiologist with Marshall Health who specializes in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He received his medical degree from the Trinity School of Medicine in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Dr. Curtis is an Assistant Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Mehiar El-Hamdani, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Mehiar Elhamdani is a cardiology specialist with Marshall Health with extensive experience in interventional cardiac procedures and adult congenital heart conditions. He received his medical degree from Al-Fateh University Medical School in Libya and has over 24 years of experience in the medical field. He is also a Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Melissa Lester, DO
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Melissa Lester is a cardiology specialist with Marshall Health and has extensive experience in interventional cardiac procedures. She received her medical degree from the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and has over 22 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Lester is also an associate Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Andrew Leventhal, MD, PhD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Andrew Leventhal is a cardiologist with Marshall Health who specializes in adult congenital heart disease, cardiovascular medicine, interventional cardiology and heart attack emergency care. He received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Dr. Leventhal is also an Assistant Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
George Linsenmeyer III, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. George Linsenmeyer, an associate professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, brings more than 40 years of experience as an interventional cardiologist to Rivers Health. He received his medical degree from West Virginia University and is also board certified in thoracic echocardiography. Dr. Linsenmeyer is also an Associate Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Jason Mader, DO
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Jason Mader is a cardiologist with Marshall Health who specializes in both invasive and noninvasive cardiology. He earned his medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also an assistant professor in the department of cardiovascular services at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Rameez T. Sayyed, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Rameez Sayyed is a cardiologist with Marshall Health with expertise in treating chronic high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathy. He received his medical degree from Rawalpindi Medical College in Pakistan and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Sayyed also serves as a Professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Mehrette Maru, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: HIMG Cardiology
Dr. Mehrette Maru is a cardiologist with HIMG with extensive experience in coronary artery disease that requires stent placement, congestive heart disease, Valvular heart disease including transcatheter aortic valve replacement, closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) with amplatzer device, peripheral arterial disease treatment including stent placement in the extremities, renal arteries and mesenteric arteries. Dr. Maru can also take care of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms with endograft placement and treat both superficial and deep venous diseases with ablation and stent placement. He received his medical degree from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine in Ethiopia and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Daniel Snavely, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: HIMG Cardiology
Dr. Daniel Snavely is a cardiology specialist with HIMG and has over 29 years of experience in the medical field. He has extensive experience in interventional cardiac procedures, heart conditions and adult congenital heart conditions. He received his medical degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine.
Mark Studeny, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Mark Studeny is a cardiology specialist with Marshall Health who specializes in invasive and interventional cardiology with more than 36 years of experience. He graduated from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine where he now serves as a professor.
Ellen Thompson, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Ellen Thompson is a cardiology specialist with Marshall Health and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and specializes in noninvasive cardiology and rural health. She also serves as a professor within the School of Medicine.
N. Andrew Vaughan, MD, MBA
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Andrew Vaughan has more than 35 years of experience in cardiology care, specializing in non-invasive, preventive and general cardiology. Vaughan’s practice also places a special emphasis on nutrition as it relates to heart disease and heart health, and he is a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist from the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans. He received his medical degree from the West Virginia University School of Medicine. He currently serves as an associate professor within the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Paulette S. Wehner, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Paulette Wehner is a cardiologist with Marshall Health who specializes in noninvasive cardiology and women's heart disease. She received her medical degree from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and has been in practice for over 20 years. She also serves as a professor within the School of Medicine.
Daniel Vilchez, MD
Specialty: Interventional Cardiology
Location: HIMG Cardiology
Dr. Daniel Vilchez is an interventional and Structural cardiology specialist with HIMG and has 12+ years of diverse experiences, specializing in coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure and valvular heart disease. He served as a Cardiology Fellow at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Carlos Rueda, MD
Specialty: Cardiology-Heart Failure
Location: Marshall Cardiology
Dr. Rueda specializes in advanced heart failure, transplant cardiology and mechanical circulatory support. He received his medical degree from Universidad Industrial De Santander in Colombia and has over 17 years of diverse experience.