Honoring University Hospital’s Cardiac Care Team
Under the leadership of Drs. Alfonso Waller and Justin Sambol, this dedicated team provides lifesaving, specialized care to patients across the region. They not only lead in innovation and excellence but also embody true compassion, ensuring every patient receives the highest level of care with dignity and heart.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in New Jersey, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. In Newark, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, and stroke rates far exceed national averages, making expert heart care an absolute necessity to save lives and prevent devastating outcomes. University Hospital’s cardiac team is at the forefront, delivering advanced, evidence-based treatments—from managing high blood pressure, diseases of the arteries of the heart, and heart rhythm disorders to performing complex bypass and valve surgeries and the latest minimally invasive techniques.
This team has pioneered major innovations in heart care, including being the first in the nation to use smartphone technology to rapidly restore blood flow in heart attack patients—improving survival rates and outcomes. They were also the first in New Jersey to implant leadless pacemakers and remain the only program in the state with a 15-year record of Advanced Heart Failure certification (with Distinction) from the Joint Commission and certification from Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for the noninvasive cardiac imaging lab. Their Heart Failure Program consistently earns top recognition from the American Heart Association.
Behind these achievements is an integrated team of physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, technologists, and technicians—working together in the hospital, clinics, cath labs, operating rooms, and diagnostic suites to deliver exceptional patient care. Their skill, dedication, and compassion have transformed countless lives.
You can honor this team's work with a donation today!
Above: Division of Cardiology; Below: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Physicians
Emad F. Aziz, DO, MBCHB, FACC, FHRS
Julius M. Gardin, MD, MBA, FACC, FASE
Christine M. Gerula, MD, FACC
Kamran Hamirani, MD
Marc Klapholz, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI
Qaisra Saeed, MD
Justin T. Sambol, MD, FACS, MBA
Huzaifa A. Shakir, MD
Abhishek Sharma, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Pallavi Solanki, MD, FACC
Alfonso Waller, MD, FACC, FASE, FASNC, FSCCT, RPVI
Nurses & Advanced Practice Nurses
Shazam Bacchus
Maria M. Baptiste
Dinora Gamez-Matute, Assistant Director
Hyoeun Kim
Marcy Kunnipparampil
Lovely Philip
Daisy Seby
Lisa Williamson