About Us
The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Center is a mature program yet is ever-growing, learning and evolving. We are proud to have expert physicians on our staff who train other cardiologists and electrophysiologists visiting us from all over the world. Our doctors are board-certified cardiac electrophysiologists with faculty affiliations at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. They actively teach and mentor in our ACGME-accredited electrophysiology fellowship training program (reviewed and approved for five years, 2009). We are advancing our program from one year to two years as of July 2010, so we can offer additional important mentoring for fellows' development and enough experience for their learning.
We are supported by a full team of nurses, technologists, anesthesiologists and other health care professionals experienced in caring for patients and in applying our technology. Important to us and to our patients is our access to the complete resources of the tertiary care centers where we perform the ablations. These hospitals have comprehensive programs available and specialists on hand for any need. Aurora Health Care is recognized as one of top five most integrated systems in the United States and Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center was listed in the top 50 by U.S. News and World Report for Cardiology. Aurora St. Luke's hospital system was the first to be granted Magnet status by the American Nurses Association, and its volumes are in the top 10 in the United States. Currently, we have patients who travel to us from around the region, the nation and the world.
History of the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Center and Electrophysiology
The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Center is an arm of the electrophysiology division, Aurora Cardiovascular Services. Aurora's cardiac electrophysiology program was the first in Wisconsin, established in 1977 by Dr. Masood Akhtar. Catheter ablation was first applied in 1982, and we performed our first catheter ablation in 1983, performed the first radiofrequency ablation in the Midwest in 1990, and began using ablation for atrial fibrillation in 1999. You can follow our Center's development at national and international levels by reviewing our scientific publications.
We’ve strived to be at the forefront of technological innovation and treatment of cardiac rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). Dr. Jasbir Sra was the first clinical investigator in the United States to implant the first implantable automatic defibrillator for atrial fibrillation.
Staff and Physicians
Jasbir S. Sra, MD, FACC, FHRS
Electrophysiologist & AF Center Director
Dr. Sra has been an electrophysiologist in our health care system since 1990. He performed his first atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in 1999. In 1995, he was the first doctor in the United States to implant the atrial defibrillator for atrial fibrillation. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiac Electrophysiology. In 1999, he was appointed Cedicine, Cardiovascular Disease Section, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Sra is the Atrial Fibrillation Center Medical Director. He has been honored as a Fellow by the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow by the Heart Rhythm Society, as well as listings in The Best Doctors in America for a number of years.
Ryan Cooley, MD
Electrophysiologist
Dr. Cooley has been an electrophysiologist in our health care system since 1999. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiac Electrophysiology. In 1999, he was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease Section, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Masood Akhtar, MD, FACC, FACP, FAHA, FHRS, MACP
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Electrophysiologist
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Atul Bhatia, MD, FACC
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Board Certifications: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
Zalmen Blanck, MD, FACC
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiogy
Indrajit Choudhuri, MD
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Anwer Dhala, MD, FACC, FHRS
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Board Certifications: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
M. Eyman Mortada, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Board Certifications: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
Vikram Nangia, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Board Certifications: Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
Carol J. Gilbert, RN, BSN, MBA, FHRS
AF Center Coordinator
Ms. Gilbert came to Wisconsin to open the first EP lab in our health care system in 1977. She is a Certified Electrophysiology Specialist, a Certified Cardiac Device Specialist and a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society. She is honored to serve on the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners as a writer for the associated professional (nurses, physician assistance, etc.) examination in electrophysiology competency. She is now using her knowledge of the EP labs and arrhythmias to help patients who are considering ablation. She’s available to speak to individuals who are interested in different treatments for AF. She attends procedures to help with some of the technical aspects and to help tabulate outcomes.
Cheryl A. Ceretto, RN, MSN
AF Patient Care Program Coordinator & Lead Cardiac Nurse Specialist
Ms. Ceretto joined the cardiology team in 1989, bringing hospital-setting cardiovascular patient care and patient-education experience with her that has proven invaluable to the AF Center. She has created a system of patient care and education from first appointment through long-term follow-up that our patients and our physicians rely upon for continuity.
Kathy Axtell, RN
ICD Patient Care Program Coordinator & Lead Cardiac Nurse Specialist
Tammy Albelo, RN, NP
Catie Bendykowski, RN
Kathleen Brodhagen, RN
Amy Deshon, RN
Kristin Kubsch, RN
Lisa Olszewski, RN
Kristine B. Samuel, RN, BSN
Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratories
Our specialty suites are staffed by experienced electrophysiology nurses and technicians. We are part of an electrophysiology department that is prepared for any arrhythmia you may acquire whether you have an ablation or not. We’re prepared and would be pleased to help you and to be your heart rhythm specialists.
Julie Solie, RN, BSN, CCRN, CCEP
Electrophysiology Lab Coordinator & AF Procedure Specialist
Ms. Solie is an experienced critical care nurse (CCRN) who began working in cardiac electrophysiology in 1992. She is a Certified Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist who has played a major role in developing protocols that help increase the efficiency and safety of the ablation procedure.
Comprehensive Cardiac Electrophysiology Program
The AF Ablation Center physicians are fully qualified and experienced in all the aspects of cardiac electrophysiology. We provide a comprehensive electrophysiology service, including:
- Catheter ablation and medical management of supraventricular tachycardias, such as atrioventricular nodal reentry, atrial flutter, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other accessory pathways, and of course, AF
- Catheter ablation and medical management of ventricular tachycardias
- Implantation of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (IDC)
- Long-term provision of needed follow-up for pacemakers and ICDs using remote, computerized, automatic monitoring
- Implantation, follow-up and management of the new heart failure (biventricular) pacemakers
It’s important to us that we’re part of the comprehensive Aurora Cardiovascular Program that offers us easy and immediate access to needed diagnostics and treatment tools from the simple electrocardiogram to the transplant team.
We’re specialists and appreciate that you will have primary care and other health care providers. We promise to maintain communication and collaborate with them.