Daniel Meng, MD

About Dr. Khabbaz With expertise that comes from more than 25 years in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, Walid Khabbaz, MD, has a broad professional background. He has worked in private practice, been an attending physician at a major medical center, and instructed surgery classes for medical students. Dr. Khabbaz earned his Doctor of Medicine at Damascus University School of Medicine, Damascus, Syria, and his Master of Science in Surgery, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Graduate Education, Chicago, IL. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, he completed both an internship and residency in general surgery and was also Research Fellow in Surgery and Chief Resident in General Surgery during his time there. He also did a Residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Khabbaz is skilled at performing adult cardiac and adult thoracic surgeries, as well as particular vascular procedures. Whether he is performing a Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery or a traditional open or Da Vinci Assisted Thoracic Surgery for benign and malignant diseases of the lung, the pleura and mediastinum, or any other procedure, he follows this philosophy: “I think of the patient as a member of my family,” he says. The advice and treatment recommendations are based on this consideration. “I provide an honest opinion based on the national guidelines and my clinical experience.” He adds that providing individualized recommendations and treatment plans for each patient is vital because everyone is different, noting that you can’t expect all patients to respond to treatment as they would in textbooks. “It is a very satisfying feeling when you see your patients doing and feeling better after surgery,” he adds.

Dr. Mittal received his medical degree from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India. He completed his internship at Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India and postgraduate training in the United Kingdom. He also completed clinical simulation and medical education fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He then went to University of Missouri, Columbia for cardiovascular research fellowship, internal medicine residency and cardiovascular fellowship. He completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at Borgess Heart Institute, Kalamazoo with the Michigan State University. Dr. Mittal is Board certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular medicine, internal medicine, echocardiography and nuclear medicine. Dr. Mittal's area of expertise includes coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, minimally invasive valve replacement and repair such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Mitra-clip procedures. He also maintains clinical interest in stroke prevention through Endoscopic Left atrial appendage closure with Watchman or Amulet device for those with atrial fibrillation and closure of patent foramen ovale or ASD for those with septal defect. Dr. Mittal has widely published and presented his research in medical education and cardiovascular field. He has received several awards and grants for his research, especially for developing a new drug eluting stent. His research profile can be checked at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/... He is passionate about patient centered care, medical education and clinical research. Dr. Mittal serves on editorial boards of scientific journals. He is a Fellow of American College of Cardiology and American College of Physicians. When he is not at work, he enjoys traveling, running and spending time with his family.

About Dr. Durr As the first physician in his family, Dr. Brendan Durr understands the importance of medicine as a team approach. “The patient and I make our treatment decisions together in line with what is most important to them.” In his specialty, that collaborative approach is essential. “I am a non-invasive cardiologist. This means that I take care of patients with heart problems. It is my job to educate patients about their particular issue/s and provide the best medical advice that I can in terms of medications and other treatment options that may be available.” Dr. Durr received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Notre Dame and his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. He completed both his internal medicine residency and cardiovascular disease fellowship at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. While his education has been instrumental to his medical success, so have the insights he has gained from patients. “I have learned so much from my patients over the years,” says Dr. Durr. “What people appreciate most is when their physician takes the time to get to know them and what their preferences are in their or their loved one’s care. Those conversations and good communication both ways are so important to help me do my job well!” These lessons from his patients have shaped Dr. Durr’s approach to their care and encompass Beacon’s values of trust, respect, integrity and compassion. “I view my job as being part of a decision-making process with each patient and their families. I hope that each patient feels that they come away from a visit with me with as much information about their condition or concern as they want or need.” In his own words… Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? My grandfather who served for 20 years in the Navy from WWII through the Korean and Vietnam wars. He taught me the importance of service to others. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? There are so many fascinating people across history to have an opportunity to talk with, but I would have to say my grandfather – he died when I was 13, so I would like to be able to get his perspective on my current life situation. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests? I am a big baseball fan! Being a San Diego native I have always been a Padres fan! I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3 kids – we try to get outside and go on activities together. I am excited to explore the Michiana area with them! What is something most people don’t know about you? I enjoy home-brewing my own beer!