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Congenital Heart Disease

Sashi Kuppala, MD, MS

Trinity Health is pleased to welcome neonatologist Sashi Kuppala, MD, MS, to our care team in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Dr. Kuppala is double board certified in neonatology and general pediatrics, with a philosophy of care that prioritizes quality measures to ensure that infants receive the highest level of care possible.

Dr. Kuppala graduated from Rangaraya Medical College in India, where he earned both his primary medical degree and post-graduate diploma in child health. He says his early training led him in the direction of neonatology. “What stuck with me is that in the NICU, you’re supporting the life of a human being who could very well go on to make an enormous contribution to human achievement.”

Dr. Kuppala did his pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic and completed his neonatology fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Later, to enhance his expertise he earned a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management from Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kuppala practiced neonatology at hospitals in Kentucky and Indiana. He also served two years as medical director for Signature Care Network Health Insurance. Most recently, he served as staff neonatologist and medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Women’s Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.

An avid hiker and mountain climber, Dr. Kuppala and his wife, Kavita, who is also a physician, have a daughter and son.

Kevin Clemans, FNP-BC

A board-certified nurse practitioner, Kevin Clemans, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, with four decades of nursing experience, is well qualified to address the complex needs of patients. Originally from Indiana, Kevin received his early RN training at South Western Michigan College and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bethel College, both in Indiana. He practiced in civilian and military hospitals, including 10 years with medical units at Wright Patterson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases in Ohio and Alaska respectively, achieving the rank of captain. In 2013, he earned a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practice from Goshen College in Indiana. He has since worked as an intensivist nurse practitioner in the fields of cardiovascular surgery, hospital medicine, and primary care. He has participated in numerous activities supportive of nursing and emergency preparedness, including serving as a flight nurse, Red Cross nurse, and Disaster Medical Assistance Team member. His many honors include receiving the Distinguished Duty Medal and Silver Star.

Paul DiGregorio, CCP

A key member of our heart team, Paul DiGregorio, CCP, is a certified cardiovascular perfusionist with 40 years of experience providing clinical perfusion and other services to patients. His role during heart surgery is operating the heart-lung machine that assumes the functions of a patient’s heart and lung while the surgeon performs surgery on the heart. A Long Island native, Paul completed his perfusion training in 1980 at State University of New York (SUNY) in Syracuse. He was chief perfusionist at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland for many years. He has practiced in various clinical settings in Ohio, Indiana, and Florida. Most recently he was senior staff perfusionist at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN. His experience also includes serving as a clinical instructor and faculty member for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). Paul is married with two children. He enjoys golf, dining out, and movies.

Michael Savitt, MD, MSE

A member of our heart and lung team, Dr. Savitt is a cardiothoracic surgeon with over 20 years of surgical experience. His expertise covers a broad range of innovative and minimally invasive techniques for coronary bypass and valve surgery, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). He is also an expert in lung resection and surgical treatment of lung and esophageal cancers. A Milwaukee native, Dr. Savitt earned his medical degree and Master of Science in Engineering from Duke University. He completed his surgical residency at the University of California at San Francisco, where he served as chief surgical resident. He accomplished his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota and later returned to Duke for a clinical lung transplant sabbatical. Dr. Savitt has maintained a dynamic practice at heart and lung centers in the Midwest. Most recently he served as a cardiothoracic surgeon and associate clinical professor at IU Ball Memorial Hospital in association with Indiana University School of Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. A member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Western Thoracic Surgical Association, Dr. Savitt has been a frequent lecturer on cardiothoracic topics and has authored numerous manuscripts for various medical journals.

Michael Gooden, MD

Dr. Gooden is a board-certified Vascular/Endovascular surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience. As a vascular surgeon, he is uniquely qualified to treat, by either open surgical or endovascular means, all aspects of peripheral vascular disease, including carotid stenosis, aortic aneurysms, lower or upper extremity peripheral artery disease, renal and mesenteric stenosis, nonhealing diabetic foot wounds, or dialysis access. This includes the most up to date techniques of carotid endarterectomy/stenting, open AAA repair/EVAR/TEVAR, peripheral artery bypass or stenting/angioplasty.

Originally from Iowa, Dr. Gooden grew up in Tucson, AZ. He served 6 years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, and was recalled for Desert Storm. He received both his Bachelor of Sciences in Molecular and Cellular Biology and MD degree at the University of Arizona. Following General Surgery residency at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Gooden completed a two-year Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in 2004. He is a member of the American Medical Association and a fellow in the prestigious Society for Vascular Surgery. He has worked in a variety of settings over the years, including private practice, academic surgery, and with the VA healthcare system.

“I enjoy working closely with patients and their primary care doctors, treating vascular disease to improve people’s daily lives, prevent stroke and limb loss.” When not working, ” I am spending all the time I can with my wife Erin and our son Colin, doing outdoor or school activities.”

Breanna Wheeler, NNP-BC

Breanna Wheeler, NNP-BC, is a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner and a key member of our Newborn Intensive Care team. Breanna works in collaboration with physicians, nurses and other professionals to provide comprehensive care to premature and sick newborns. A Minot native, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University in 2009. She practiced as a staff RN at Trinity Hospital for six years, working two years in the Medical-Surgical unit before joining Trinity’s NICU team, where she managed complex care to critically ill newborns and also served as a neonatal flight nurse with NorthStar Criticair. In 2016 Breanna earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Creighton University, Omaha, specializing in neonatology. A member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses and the American Academy of Neonatal Nurses, Breanna and her husband have two children.

Stacy Wallin, DNP, NNP-BC

Stacy Wallin, DNP, NNP-BC, is a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner and a key member of our Newborn Intensive Care team. Stacy works in collaboration with physicians, nurses and other professionals to provide comprehensive care to premature and sick newborns. A Minot native and Minot High School graduate, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks, and practiced 12 years at Trinity Hospital, serving as a staff RN in the NICU and as a neonatal flight nurse with NorthStar Criticair. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice, specializing as a neonatal provider, at Creighton University, Omaha, completing her internship at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Stacy enjoys spending time with her two daughters and attending her nephews’ sporting events.

Allison Lesmann, FNP-C

Allison Lesmann, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in children’s health. Born and reared in Minot, she received her nurse training in western North Dakota and practiced at Thomason Hospital, El Paso, TX and at Trinity Health before earning her master’s in advanced nursing practice.  She completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN, and later accomplished post-graduate certification in psychiatric mental health nursing from Washburn University to expand her mental health knowledge to more effectively care for her pediatric patients. Allison is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the North Dakota Nurse Practitioners Association, and the American Nurses Association.  She also has certifications in ACLS, PALS, and basic life support.  Allison has a husband and three sons, with outside interests in kids activities and reading.

 

 

 

 

Thomas Carver, DO

A native of Great Falls, MT, Dr. Carver earned his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO. He completed his residency at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO, and his Fellowship at University of Colorado Health Science Center. He’s board certified in Pediatrics and Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine.