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Vascular 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.

Nana Appiawiah, MD

A member of our imaging team, Nana Appiawiah, MD, is board certified in diagnostic radiology and fellowship trained in neuroradiology, a subspecialty concerned with diagnosing abnormalities of the brain, head & neck and spine. he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of California Irvine. He joined the US Navy and during military service earned a medical doctorate from Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. He graduated with honors, earning the MD Honor Graduate Award and Outstanding Achievement in the Clinical Sciences and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Following a transitional internship at Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, he completed a four-year residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Colorado, Aurora. Dr. Appiawiah served as a staff radiologist at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms in California. He later joined the Naval Hospital in Rota, Spain, where he led the Radiology Department. He received the Navy Commendation Medal after fulfilling his military service. He then completed his neuroradiology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Appiawiah is a member of the American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, and the American Society of Neuroradiology.

Moayed Ibrahim, MD

A member of our cancer team, Moayed Ibrahim, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist, dedicated to providing expert care to cancer patients utilizing the latest anti-cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. He is also skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood and blood forming organs.

A graduate of the Hashemite University Faculty of Medicine, Jordan, Dr. Ibrahim did his Internal Medicine residency at East Tennessee State University/Quillen College of Medicine in Mountain Home, TN. After completing a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, he accomplished his Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA. He was selected as chief resident and chief fellow during his training.

Dr. Ibrahim takes pride in treating his patients as he would like his own family members to be treated. He believes that shared decision-making is the cornerstone of a successful treatment plan.

Dr. Ibrahim is board certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine. He’s been published in peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized with multiple academic and research awards, including the 2020 American Society of Hematology Abstract Achievement Award.

A member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Hematology, and American Geriatric Society, he enjoys cycling, running, and walking his dog, Smoke.

Melissa Andreasen, FNP-C

A member of our pediatrics team, Melissa Andreasen, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to children and adolescents. A graduate of Minot State University, Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2013 and began her nursing career as an RN with Trinity Health. She served patients in the addiction services, intensive care, and same day surgery units before shifting her focus to advanced practice nursing. While pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati, she worked part time as a clinical nurse instructor with Dakota College at Bottineau. She completed her Family Nurse Practitioner training 2020 and joined a private primary care practice as a family care provider, helping pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients manage the full range of acute and chronic health conditions. Melissa is board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She loves spending time with her two children when she’s not at work.

Ashley Sarasan, MD

A key member of our care team at Trinity Homes, Ashley Sarasan, MD, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine.  She works with staff throughout Trinity’s nursing care facility to improve the health and well-being of residents. Her clinical interests include Parkinson’s disease, end-of-life care, and Alzheimer’s disease. A graduate of M.S. Ramaiah Medical College in India, Dr. Sarasan completed her internal medicine residency at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Jersey, an affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Following residency, she fulfilled a passion to serve the medical needs of older adults by completing a fellowship in geriatric medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Prior to joining Trinity Health, Dr. Sarasan served as Assistant Professor of Medicine-Internal Medicine and Associate Program Director-Geriatric Medicine at UNLV School of Medicine in Las Vegas. Among her hobbies – she keeps a collection of all the cards that her patients, medical students, residents, and others have given her. She enjoys reading, cooking, and dancing, and is looking into writing a book on aging and health.

Dawn Romfo, MSN, FNP-C

A board-certified nurse practitioner, Dawn Romfo, MSN, FNP-C, provides care and support to oncology and hematology patients as a member of our cancer care team. A Burlington native and Des Lacs-Burlington graduate, Dawn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University. She practiced clinic and hospital nursing in various community settings in the region, including Trinity Hospital’s ICU and Post-Anesthesia Care units. In 2012 she began a long association with Dakota College at Bottineau, serving initially as a nurse faculty member and for six years as Nursing Program Director. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing Education through Walden University in Minneapolis in 2014 and more recently earned a post-master’s certificate in Family Nurse Practice through Maryville University in St. Louis. She’s a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, North Dakota Nurse Practitioner Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Nancy Longfors, MD

Dr. Longfors is a board-certified general surgeon, dedicated to providing advanced, high-quality surgical care to patients of all ages. Her experience covers a broad range of minimally invasive and traditional surgical techniques, including laparoscopic procedures and Trinity Health’s da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system. Areas of specialty include surgeries of the breast, colon, gallbladder, appendix, hernia, and gastrointestinal system. Born and reared in Minnesota, Dr. Longfors graduated with high honors from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed her general surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. She practiced general surgery at hospitals in Arizona, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Prior to joining Trinity Health, Dr. Longfors provided general surgery services at CentraCare Health in St. Cloud, MN. In addition to being recognized for academic achievement, Dr. Longfors has been an advocate for improving patient access to surgical care, serving international medical missions in Kenya and other short-term trips in Africa. A member of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Longfors enjoys travel, hiking, biking, and spending time with family and friends.

Jewel L. Sandy, MD

A member of our eye care team at Trinity Regional Eyecare – Western Dakota, Jewel Sandy, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist, board-certified, fellowship trained Oculoplastics Specialist., Orbital, Reconstructive Surgery. She provides high-quality medical and surgical care to patients for the full range of eye conditions and is specially trained to perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, eye socket and face. Dr. Sandy earned her Doctor of Medicine degree at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California and completed her ophthalmology residency at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital at the University of Alabama Birmingham. In addition to her residency, she spent an additional two years of advanced fellowship training at Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma and Allegheny Ophthalmic & Orbital Associates, PC, in Pittsburgh, focused on Global Eye Care and Orbital/Ophthalmic Plastic surgery respectively. Prior to joining Trinity Health, she was Assistant Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine Ophthalmology Department. In addition to being recognized for her academic achievement, Dr. Sandy has been an advocate for improving patient access to quality eye care, pioneering domestic and international medical missions and outreach. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Medical Association, Dr. Sandy enjoys hiking, reading, and international cuisine.

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.