Ventricular Assist Device Program Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Team

Surgeons

Michael Mueller, M.D. - Surgical Director

Dr. Mueller is originally from Cumberland, Rhode Island. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Dr. Mueller began eight years of post-graduate training. He completed his General Surgery residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont and his Cardiothoracic Surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. During both residencies, he was chosen chief resident. Dr. Mueller then completed a fellowship in Heart and Lung Transplantation at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He has practiced with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since 1995.

Dr. Mueller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He specializes in adult cardiothoracic surgery including heart transplantation, surgery for congestive heart failure, and mechanical assist device placement.

Dr. Mueller is an active member in the Texas Medical Association, Travis County Medical Society, Texas Transplant Society, and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. He has also composed and published numerous research articles in his specialty.

William Kessler, M.D. - VAD Director

Dr. Kessler is from Houston, Texas. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery residencies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He went on to complete a fellowship in Heart Transplantation at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has practiced with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since February 1999. He is a Candidate of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Kessler specializes in adult Cardiothoracic Surgery including heart transplantation, implantation and management of ventricular assist devices (VADS), valvular heart disease, and all areas of Thoracic Surgery. He is an active member of Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Dallas County Medical Society, and the Parkland Surgical Society. Dr. Kessler has participated in numerous research studies and has authored various research articles in his specialty.

Andrew T. Hume, M.D. – Transplant Surgeon

Dr. Hume is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson and completed both his residency in General Surgery and in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. During both residencies, Dr. Hume was chosen chief resident. He has been practicing with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since 1996. He is an Associate Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Hume specializes in adult Cardiothoracic Surgery including heart transplantation, mitral valve repair, and all areas of adult Thoracic Surgery. He is an active member of the Parkland Surgical Society, the Travis County Medical Society, and the Texas Medical Association.

Mark C. Felger, M.D. – Transplant Surgeon

Dr. Felger is a native Texan, originally from San Antonio. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed his General Surgery internship and residency at Emory University in Atlanta and his Cardiothoracic Surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has practiced with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since 1997.

He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Felger specializes in Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery including heart transplantation, mitral valve repair, and minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery. He is an active member of the Texas Medical Association, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Travis County Medical Society, and Texas Transplant Society. Dr. Felger has also composed and published numerous research articles in his specialty.

Hunter Q. Kirkland, M.D. – Transplant Surgeon

Dr. Kirkland is a Texas native, originally from Austin. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and completed his residency in General Surgery at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina. He then completed his fellowship at Texas Heart Institute in Houston. Dr. Kirkland has practiced with Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons since 2005.

He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Kirkland specializes in adult Cardiac and Thoracic surgery. He is an active member of the American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society, and the Houston Surgical Society.

Cardiologists

Mary Beth Cishek, M.D. – Medical Director

Dr. Mary Beth Cishek earned her medical degree at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, where she also completed her medical residency program in Internal Medicine, during which time she served as the Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Cishek completed her fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of California at Davis. She then continued her education with a research fellowship in cardiovascular physiology at the University of California at Davis. Dr. Cishek has served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology in the section of Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation at the St. Louis University School of Medicine.

She currently serves as the Medical Director of the Cardiac Transplant Program at Seton Medical Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease. She is a member of the Travis County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Cishek sees patients at the Medical Park Tower office.

John Dieck, M.D. – Transplant/Heart Failure Cardiologist

Dr. John Dieck earned his medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, where he also completed his residency training in Internal Medicine. Dr. Dieck concluded his training with a fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology at St. Luke’s Hospital, the Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas. Dr. Dieck served as Chief Medical Resident in Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital and as Chief Cardiology Fellow at the Texas Heart Institute.

Dr. Dieck has been in private practice in Austin since 1990. During this time, he has served as the Chief of Catheterization Laboratories for Seton Medical Center, St. David's Episcopal Hospital, and South Austin Medical Center, and as the Director of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation at Seton Medical Center.

Dr. Dieck is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Dieck is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is a member of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the Clinical Council of the American Heart Association, the Travis County Medical Society, and the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Dieckpreviously served as thePresident and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Cardiovascular. During his leadership, the practice experienced significant growth in its physician ranks and its position in the Austin market. Dr. Dieck is fluent in English and Spanish.

Scott Blois, M.D. – Transplant/Heart Failure Cardiologist

Dr. Blois earned his medical degree at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Science Center at Denver, CO. His area of specialty is Clinical Cardiology, Transplant, and Congestive Heart Failure.

Dr. Blois is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Diplomate (1997); American Board of Internal Medicine, Subspecialty Cardiovascular Disease, Diplomate (2001). He is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, Texas Medical Associations, and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. He was the lead author of the article, “Increased Incidence of Guillain-Barre Neurological Syndrome in Orthotopic Heart Transplant Recipients, along with Ban Allos, MD, Simon Shakar, MD, and JoAnn Lindenfeld, MD. Transplantation 2000;S235. He sees patients in Central Austin and in Marble Falls, TX. His personal interests center on his family, tennis, and travel.

David L. Morris, MD – Transplant/Heart Failure Cardiologist

Dr. Morris received his medical degree from the University of Texas at Galveston. He completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Morris is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Diplomate (1977); American Board of Internal Medicine, Subspecialty Cardiovascular Disease, Diplomate (1979).

Dr. Morris’ professional associations are the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and the Mu Delta Honorary Medical Society. His professional affiliations have been with Austin Heart, serving on the Executive Committee, Vice President (1999 - Current), Medical Director (1999 - Current), and the Congestive Heart Failure Center, Director (1998-present). Dr. Morris has also served at the Seton Medical Center, Medical Executive Committee, Member-at-Large (1992-1995), Director of Cardiology (1992-1994), Chief of Medicine (1991-1992), Central Texas Heart Institute Advisor (1986-present), and the Transplant Program, Staff Cardiologist (1985-present). Dr. Morris has been involved with the American Heart Association, Past President, Travis County Division (1982-1984); and the American College of Cardiology, Elected to Fellowship (1979).

Liz Murrah, MS, RN – Director, Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center

Liz was born and raised in northern Kansas and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marymount College in 1973. She is licensed as a RN in Iowa and Texas and has worked in all areas of cardiovascular services over her 35+ year career. For many of those years, Liz has worked as both a clinician and a manager and enjoys both roles. She has been at Seton for three years and enjoys working as the administrative director in the interdisciplinary team that cares for advanced heart failure, transplant, and VAD patients.

Prior to that, Liz served as the service line administrator at Mercy Medical Center in Iowa and was responsible for the Emergency Services, Critical Care, Telemetry, Cardiopulmonary, Cardiac Rehab, Diabetes Education, Cardiothoracic, Angio, and Electrophysiology Labs. She received her Master’s in Science in Health Care Administration from College of St. Francis in Joliet, IL and is a member of the International Transplant Nurses Society and the American Organization of Nurse Executives. She was recognized by the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance in 2008 in appreciation for her dedication and support. Her personal interests include sailing, hiking, quilting, and being with her two daughters and their dogs.

Nichole Jones, BS, MSN – Transplant/Heart Failure APN

Nichole Jones’ home town is Johnson City, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health in 2000 from Texas A&M University and her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin in 2005.

Nichole is certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health with Prescriptive Authority (Advanced Practice Nurse- American nurses Credentialing Center), Registered Nurse( Texas Board of Nursing), CPR, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification (American Heart Association).

Before joining Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center, Nichole worked for Geriatric Associates of America providing care to complex nursing home patients. She has also worked on the Telemetry Unit at Seton Medical Center Austin as an RN.

Nichole is married and lives in Pflugerville. She enjoys games, movies and spending time with her family.

Carol Schauf, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP – Transplant/Heart Failure APN

Carol Schauf is originally from Wichita, Kansas. Carol received her Registered Nurse diploma from the St. Francis School of Nursing in Wichita. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1981 from the University of Texas at Austin, and her Master of Science degree in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997. Carol is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner as well as CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association.

Before joining Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center, Carol worked primarily in the Emergency Room for more than 20 years as a Registered Nurse. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Carol worked at a rural clinic then joined our team in July 2006. Carol enjoys reading, movies, walking and dining out.

Claire Whitehead – Transplant/Heart Failure APN

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Education/Clinical Training
2008 MSN, FNP-C, Columbia University, New York, New York 2005 BSN, Columbia University, New York, New York 2002 BA, Latin American Studies, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Certifications
Family Nurse Practitioner( American Academy of Nurse Practitioners) CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification and Pediatric Advanced Life Support ( American Heart Association)

Professional Experience
Before joining Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center, Claire worked in the Emergency Room in New York City. She also worked on the Telemetry Unit at Seton Medical Center Austin.

Personal Information
Claire enjoys hearing live music, traveling, playing the violin and entertaining her dogs.

Courtney Rider, PA, MS – Transplant/Heart Failure Physician Assistant

Courtney is a native Texan, born and raised in Austin. Courtney received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in 1998, and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2006. Courtney is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants as well as by the Texas Medical Board. She is also certified in CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support from the American Heart Association. She is an active member of the Texas Association of Physician Assistants. Prior to joining Seton’s HSCTC, Courtney worked for the Rhode Island Cardiology Foundation in Inpatient Cardiology at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.

Courtney enjoys spending time with her family and friends, outdoor activities with her dog, eating barbeque, as well as football and soccer season.

Erin August, RN, BSN - VAD Outreach Coordinator

Erin was born in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 2003 from the University of Pittsburgh. Before working at Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center, Erin worked in Pittsburgh for University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian working with Open Heart, Heart and Lung Transplant Patients and Ventricular Assist Device Patients in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Another part of her duty here was mentoring nursing students.

Erin also worked at UPMC McKeesport as a Primary Nurse Care Coordinator in a Critical Care Unit, ran Code Team and helped teach residents Rapid Response. She worked for the University of Pittsburgh for 14 years in research between the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Department of Medicine, and the Department of Epidemiology.

Erin enjoys spending time with her daughter, writing poetry, movies, snow skiing, swimming, the outdoors, and a great cup of coffee.

Mim Luetje, RN, BSN - VAD Coordinator

Mim is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated with a nursing diploma from the Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in 1986. In 1989 Mim completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mim has worked at Seton Medical Center on the telemetry floor, ICU, and Labor and Delivery. She has been interested in mechanical support since working in the ICU where she served as the ventricular assist device education coordinator. Mim also enjoyed a year working abroad at the Royal Brompton in Chelsea, London, UK.

When not working, Mim enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She also sings in Austin’s Grammy nominated choir, Conspirare, of which she is a founding member.

Kristi Knowles, RN – Transplant/Heart Failure Coordinator

Kristi is from Cortez, Colorado, and earned her Associate Degree in Science/Nursing from Mesa College, Grand Junction, CO, in 1982.

Kristi worked for two years at Seton Medical Center Austin on the orthopedic floor, two years in the SMCA ICU before becoming a transplant coordinator for eight years. She returned to the ICU until 2005 when she returned to the heart failure/transplant clinic. Kristi has earned the national certification as a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator.

Kristi is married and has three stepchildren. She enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, spending time with her family and walking with her husband and two dogs.

Nancy Gardner, RN, BSN – Transplant/Heart Failure Coordinator

Nancy was born and raised in Thorp, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, WI, in 1984. Nancy is a Registered Nurse in the state of Texas and has also earned her CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association.

Nancy worked for two years in telemetry before relocating to Austin, TX, in 1986. After working two years in ICU/CCU, she worked as a heart transplant coordinator at Seton for ten years. Nancy rejoined the Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Team in 2006.

Nancy is married with four children. She enjoys snow skiing, scuba diving, cycling, swimming, jogging, and has completed three triathlons. Football is a favorite, having three sons in the sport. She balances her busy lifestyle with protected moments of reading, retreat, and quiet time.

Becky Cox, RN, BSN – Transplant/Heart Failure Coordinator

Becky is from Monroe, Louisiana and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She is a Registered Nurse in the state of Texas and holds the CPR and Advanced Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association.

Becky has worked in the Seton Family of Hospitals for 28 years. She was a staff nurse and clinical manager of Telemetry for 15 years. She also served in staff development for Telemetry for three years. Becky worked in outpatient cardiac rehab and also was the clinical manager of the Heart Failure Clinic for six years. Presently, Becky is a Transplant RN Coordinator.

Becky is married and has two children. She enjoys walking and running at Town Lake as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Erin Rose, RN, BSN, CCRN – Transplant/Heart Failure Coordinator

Erin’s hometown is Seattle, Washington. Erin graduated in 2002 from Seattle University, Seattle, WA, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Erin is licensed in Texas as a Registered Nurse and has earned the Adult Critical Care Registered Nurse certification from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Erin is also certified in CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support from the American Heart Association.

Before joining HSCTC, Erin has worked for Seton in the Critical Care Unit. She also worked for many years in Seattle at the University of Washington Medical Center Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. Erin is married and lives in South Austin. She enjoys hiking, caring for her dogs, and spending time with her family and friends.

Laura Bostic, BS – Office Manager

Laura was born and raised in Beaumont, TX. She received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at Lamar University in Beaumont in 1996.

Laura has been part of Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center since October 2001. Prior to that, Laura owned her own interior design company, Inside Ideas. Laura moved into a management position since 1996. Laura is responsible for overseeing the non-clinical staff in the clinic which keep the flow of patients moving, the phones answered, and all of the reports, papers, charts, filed and up-to-date.

In her time away from work, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and newly adopted children, a three year-old son and a two year-old daughter. She also enjoys movies, reading, and cooking new recipes with her husband.

Sharon K Shifler, RN – Transplant/Heart Failure Coordinator

Sharon’s home town is Hagerstown, Maryland. Sharon received her Associate Degree in Nursing from North Harris College in Houston, TX. Sharon is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is certified in BLS and ACLS.

Sharon has worked from Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center since 2005. Prior to that, Sharon worked at Texas Cardiovascular Consultants, Seton’s Heart Failure clinic, and at the Seton Call Center. She has also worked as an occupational program coordinator for Seton Cedar Park and Arcon Healthcare, as well as working at Seton Senior Center at Lakeway and as an employee health nurse and staff nurse in neurology at the Austin Diagnostic Center. Prior to that, Sharon worked in neurology and the neuro ICU at St. David’s Medical Center.

Sharon is married and lives in Cedar Park. She has four children and three grandchildren. Sharon enjoys music, traveling to the beach, reading, and of course, paying with her grandchildren.

Tabitha McFall – Senior Department Assistant

Tabby was born in Titusville, Florida. She has worked as a medical assistant and an EMT/Paramedic for several years in Florida. Tabby has lived in Asheville, North Carolina, and Temecula, California. Tabby joined Seton in 2006.

Tabby lives in Pflugerville and has three daughters. She is also raising her grandson, Noah. Tabby enjoys horseback riding, spending time with her kids, and getting together with her friends.

Lisa Anderson – Senior Department Assistant

Lisa was born and raised in Elgin, Texas. Lisa is a Certified Medical Assistant and is also certified in CPR.

Lisa has four children and eight grandchildren . . . which she enjoys any time she can!

Margie Segura – Senior Department Assistant

Margie has worked for the Seton Family of Hospitals since July 2000. She worked in Bedboard for four and one-half years and in Patient Access for four and one-half years. When Margie worked in Patient Access, she served as the Team Leader and worked in all four areas including Admissions, ER, Day Surgery, and Labor and Delivery.

Margie has four children, four grandchildren, three dogs, and two cats. Their favorite places to visit as a family are South Padre Island and Disney World.

Diane Kloster, BA – Clinical Assistant III

Diane received her Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Tarleton State University. She is also certified as a nurse’s aide as well as in basic life saving. Diane previously worked on the telemetry floor of Seton Medical Center and is pursuing her BSN.

Diane’s two teenage children keep her busy as she enjoys watching their sports activities. They also enjoy hiking, biking, and snow skiing.

Amanda Contreras – Clinical Assistant III

Amanda is originally from Lorena, Texas. Amanda attended McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, and Austin Community College in Austin. She received her certification as a Certified Medical Assistant in 1994.

Before joining HSCTC, Amanda worked in various clinical specialties including orthopedic surgery, NICU, dermatology, and occupational health before finding her passion in cardiology. She has worked in this field for five years and joined Seton’s team in 2006.

Amanda enjoys cooking, gardening, interior decorating, writing, and spending time with her family.

Sarita Clark-Leach, BA – Financial Coordinator

Sarita grew up in New York City and has lived in Orland, Florida, and Seattle, Washington, before moving to Austin, Texas, with her husband. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington.

Sarita has worked in the medical profession in a variety of administrative position for ten years and has been with Seton for three years. In her spare time, Sarita enjoys exploring Austin and its environs with her husband, writing, reading, engaging in pseudo-intellectual (emphasis on “pseudo”)/estoteric pursuits with her friends, watching discussions on bloggingheads.tv, preparing macrobitotic (loosely interpreted) meals, and sewing . . . badly.

Maria Samonte, BS – Data Coordinator

Maria is originally from the Philipines and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Applications. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Maria has worked in the medical field for ten years.

Maria has worked at the East Side Primary Medical Care, an internal medicine office specializing in geriatric care in New York, New York. She has also worked at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, both in renal transplant as well as pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition.

Maria and her husband, Jett, have welcomed a new son, Paxton, into their home just recently.

Wendy Morgan, BS - Dietitian

Wendy graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Major in Dietetics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000. After graduation, she worked for the American Cancer Society on a Childhood Nutrition program called Generation Fit. In 2001 Wendy started with Seton as an inpatient clinical dietitian at Seton Northwest Hospital. Currently she works as an Outpatient Dietitian in the Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center and Diabetes Education and Outpatient Nutrition Therapy Center.

Wendy also runs a wellness and weight management program for Seton employees. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and dietetic specialty practice groups in weight management, diabetes education, wellness, cardiovascular, and nutrition support. She is a frequent contributor to Seton’s website: www.goodhealth.com. Wendy is also certified in Childhood, Adolescent, and Adult Weight Management.

Nancy McDowell, MSW – Social Work

Nancy is originally from Tennessee, living in both Memphis and Oak Ridge. Nancy received her Master of Science in Social Work degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors from the same university.

Nancy is a licensed clinical social worker and a member of the National Society for Transplant Social Work. Nancy has been the heart transplant social worker at Seton since 2000. Prior to that, she worked in the Seton Senior Health Center. Nancy originally trained in psychiatric social work and worked as a therapist in a mental health center in Tennessee. She also worked in a geriatric psych program and a program for troubled youth in Austin.

Nancy enjoys singing with the Austin Singers, traveling, spending time with her children and grandson at the family vacation house in North Carolina, and performing the duty of “person” to her cat, Alli.

Leslie Goldstein, MSW – Social Work

Leslie obtained her BA in Psychology from the State University of New York in Binghamton in 1976. She spent a semester in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish. She earned a Master in Social Work degree from the University of Texas in Austin in 1980.

Leslie has held an appointment as Specialist (Field Instructor) with the UT Austin School of Social Work since 1983. She has worked in the mental health field, public housing, and home health care. Leslie has been the heart failure social worker since 2000. She is a licensed advanced practice social worker and is a member of the Society for Transplant Social Workers. Leslie is married and enjoys gardening, banking, cooking, reading, movies, and being walked by her three dogs.