"Philosophy of care | I perform very complex cardiac and aortic reconstructive procedures. My philosophy regarding my patients is to complete these operations with the utmost skill, perfection and result as possible. Just as importantly, I spend time with my patients and their families to explain in great detail their condition and how we are going to treat it. This includes all the potential options available. My primary goal is to allow my patients some choice but, more importantly, to make sure they completely understand their disease process. My focus for many years has been a ""disease management process"" that fosters a long-term commitment to my patients revolving around the specifics of aortic and valvular heart disease. | Why I entered medicine | Initially, I wanted to be a political scientist; however, a number of life experiences changed that. My grandfather had Lou Gehrig’s disease and lived with us when I was growing up. This daily experience had a profound effect during formative years in high school. Interestingly, our next-door neighbor was a general/vascular surgeon, and I came to know him quite well. He was my initial mentor in this field. I initially studied engineering but was fascinated with cardiac physiology and this translated into medicine and cardiac surgery specifically. However, the passion and commitment to treat patients and their suffering was first embedded in my psyche secondary to witnessing, in all domains, my grandfather's demise from Lou Gehrig’s disease. | Community involvement | President, The Thoracic Surgery Foundation, impacting the global community by delivering quality thoracic care to lower- and middle-income countries across the world. | Personal interests | I enjoy traveling the world, Philadelphia professional sports, golfing and coaching baseball.". Dr. Bavaria is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Heart Valve Repair.

Philosophy of care | My job is to save the lives of patients with aortic aneurysms, to prevent strokes in patients with carotid artery disease and to avert amputation in patients with impaired blood flow to their extremities. However, what I treasure in my job is the relationship with patients and their families, developed sometimes over years and sometimes quickly during a challenging time in their lives. I always remember that patients like you who seek out my expertise are people – with jobs, lives, hobbies, families and compelling personal stories. I enjoy hearing those stories and playing a role in caring for those individuals. | Why I entered medicine | Honestly, I wasn't very good at physics. After studying physics and engineering as an undergraduate at Haverford College and as a graduate student at the University of Virginia, I figured out somewhat serendipitously that I was good at surgery and enjoyed caring for patients. Vascular surgery is intellectually engrossing and technically challenging. | Community involvement | My wife Oksana and I support the YMCA, and three generations of Jacksons have attended a YMCA summer camp in Rhode Island. Because Oksana is of Ukrainian heritage, we support a number of humanitarian causes in that country. | Personal interests | My family and I enjoy hiking and camping (Indian Garden Campground at the Grand Canyon is my favorite campsite). My kids play a lot of soccer, and some baseball and softball, so I've become a student of those games. We're pretty dedicated Philadelphia Union fans. Dr. Jackson is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Carotid Artery Disease, Aneurysm Repair, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

David Meir-Levi is a Thoracic Surgeon and a Vascular Surgeon in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Meir-Levi is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Arterial Insufficiency, Peripheral Artery Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Carotid Artery Surgery, and Endoscopy.

Philosophy of care | I treat all of my patients as if they are members of my family. I feel that my role as a physician and surgeon is to educate each patient so that they can make the best decision for their particular illness. | Why I entered medicine | I chose this profession to help people and to be stimulated intellectually. I was also inspired by my family to become a physician and surgeon. My father and brother are dentists, and my mother was an operating room nurse. | Personal interests | I enjoy playing golf, cooking, cycling, reading and spending time with my wife and children. Dr. Welkie is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Carotid Artery Disease, Arterial Embolism, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Peripheral Artery Disease, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

Sanjay Mehta is a Thoracic Surgeon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Mehta is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Pleurisy, Pleural Effusion, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Heart Valve Repair, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Kenneth Skorinko is a Cardiologist and an Interventional Cardiologist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Skorinko is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease, Arterial Insufficiency, and Angina.

Philosophy of care | My philosophy is to enable patients to better understand their conditions and be involved in their own care. Informed patients make the best decisions. | Community involvement | I have always volunteered in the emergency services. I am a fully trained firefighter and rescue technician. I enjoy riding on ambulance calls and hope to stay involved in this service for many years to come. | Personal interests | I enjoy the outdoors, especially the beach and boating. I also enjoy fishing and all forms of motorsports. | Image | Lehigh Valley Hospital is ranked 42th for pulmonology and lung surgery on the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list. |. Dr. Misselbeck is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Dissection, Cystic Medial Necrosis of Aorta, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Philosophy of care | My philosophy of care is that candor builds trust between you as the patient and me as your surgeon. Modern medicine is increasingly complex. You can only make good decisions for your own health if you understand the options, including frank discussions of the potential risks and benefits. When I meet with patients and their families, I employ a variety of methods to explain medical terminology and surgical procedures, such as sketching anatomy diagrams. You deserve to feel clear about your alternatives, secure in your decisions and confident in the skills of our entire health care team. | Why I entered medicine | Something can be a cliche and still be true: I wanted to help people. I come from a family of engineers, but I was drawn to the possibility of directly impacting individuals. I enjoy challenges and constantly learning new things. I like being face-to-face with patients and knowing my career is meaningful. It's also gratifying to be able to help my extended family navigate the health care system. | Community involvement | The causes that are most important to me are food insecurity, environmental protection and restoration, and voting rights. I also actively support my school-age children in their sports and other extracurricular community activities. | Personal interests | My current primary hobby is building bicycles and maintaining/modifying them for our family. We also enjoy hiking and playing board games together, and I am an adventurous eater and home cook. Dr. Shang is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Arterial Insufficiency, Carotid Artery Disease, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

Mila Ju is a Vascular Surgeon in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ju has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Her top areas of expertise are Carotid Artery Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Arterial Embolism, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

Stephen Olenchock is a Thoracic Surgeon in Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania. Dr. Olenchock is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Aortic Valve Stenosis, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Necrosis, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Dwithiya Thomas is an Interventional Cardiologist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Thomas is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Her top areas of expertise are Familial Neurocardiogenic Syncope, Arrhythmias, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, and Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).

Nidhi Mehta is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Mehta is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Her top areas of expertise are Atrial Fibrillation, Pediatric Myocarditis, Heart Failure, Pacemaker Implantation, and Cardiac Ablation.

"Philosophy of care | ""It is much more important to know what sort of a patient has a disease than what sort of a disease a patient has."" – William Osler | This quote summarizes my philosophy of care perfectly; it is important to treat the patient, not the disease or the numbers on the monitor. If the disease is not dangerous and does not bother the person, the person does not necessarily need to be treated. I also believe in involving people in their medical care and their decisions. At the same time, I believe in personal responsibility and expect my patients to do their best with lifestyle choices. I tend to be conservative and will prefer a non-invasive treatment over a surgical one given the luxury of choice. My specialty, however, is surgical or procedure-based, and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of complex procedures, especially when I know patients are going to feel better as a result. | Why I entered medicine | I struggled between medicine and engineering as a career choice. My parents are physicians and had a big influence on my decision. While they would have supported whatever I decided, I was most influenced by the positive impact their work had on many of their patients' lives. Twenty years later I do not regret my decision one bit. I especially enjoy the physician-patient relationship. I am interested not only in the patient's progress but also their overall lives. During my years of practice, some patients have graduated college, others have gotten married – and unfortunately, some have developed dementia and deteriorated. I remind myself life does go on for everyone, no matter their medical condition. | Community involvement | I support animal welfare charities, both local and national. I also feel it is important to donate toward grade school education of underprivileged children toward scholarships. | Personal interests | I enjoy skiing, gardening and golf.". Dr. Joshi is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Arrhythmias, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Tachycardia, Pacemaker Implantation, and Cardiac Ablation.

Philosophy of care | Teach, teach, teach. Listen. | Why I entered medicine | My mother and sister work in medicine, and they influenced my career choice. I loved it in residency. | Community involvement | I have volunteered with the American Heart Association. | Personal interests | I spend my spare time with my two kids, and I like to run. Dr. Sundlof is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Her top areas of expertise are Arrhythmias, Familial Ventricular Tachycardia, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, Pacemaker Implantation, and Cardiac Ablation.

Jake Marais is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Marais is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Atrial Fibrillation, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST), and Familial Ventricular Tachycardia.

Luis Tejada is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Tejada is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Coronary Heart Disease, Angina, Atherosclerosis, Heart Attack, and Pacemaker Implantation.

Michael Durkin is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dr. Durkin is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST), Hypertensive Heart Disease, and Familial Ventricular Tachycardia.

James Gallagher is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem,, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gallagher is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST).

Richard Kolecki is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem,, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kolecki is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Aortic Valve Stenosis, Atrial Fibrillation, and Atherosclerosis.

Sobhan Kodali is a Cardiologist in Bethlehem,, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kodali is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. His top areas of expertise are Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Hypertensive Heart Disease, Familial Ventricular Tachycardia, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST), and Cardiac Ablation.