Staff Biographies - Cardiology Associates of New Brunswick (Ofiices in East Brunswick and Monroe Township)

Dory Altmann, M.D., S.M.

Invasive and Non-invasive Cardiology

Born in Newark, Dr. Altmann holds degrees from Harvard College, the Yale University School of Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his internship and residency at New England Medical Center in Boston and his cardiology fellowship at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, where he won the Department of Medicine Research Award. After completing a second fellowship in interventional cardiology at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C, Dr. Altmann joined the medical school faculty of Cornell Medical College. There he was Assistant Professor of Medicine and Assistant Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at New York Hospital.

Dr. Altmann serves on the Board of Directors of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and previously served on its Medical Board. He has been listed in Castle Connelly’s “New York Metro Area Top Doctors” and “America’s Best Doctors.” Board certified in general, interventional, and nuclear cardiology, he is Clinical Assistant Professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He has published several cardiology research papers and a textbook chapter and served as a manuscript reviewer for cardiology journals. Dr. Altmann lives in East Brunswick with his family, some of whom share his lifelong passion for the Boston Red Sox.

Marc Scheiner, M.D.

Non-invasive Cardiology and Electrophysiology

Dr. Marc A. Scheiner was educated at Yeshiva Univesity and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Following a three-year cardiology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Dr. Scheiner completed a second fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology at Cornell University - New York Presbyterian Hospital. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and electrophysiology, and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

Anthony Altobelli, III, M.D.

Non-invasive Cardiology

A native of Elizabeth, New Jersey who was educated in the Cranford public school system, Dr. Altobelli received his undergraduate degree with honors from Georgetown Unversity where he won the Department of Biology Medal for Academic Excellence. He was admitted as a college sophomore to Georgetown Medical School, and graduated in 1997. Dr. Altobelli completed his internship and residency in internal medicine and his cardiology fellowship all at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Cornell. His cardiology training focused on echocardiography and nuclear cardiology. He is board certified in internal medicine, echocardiography, and cardiology. Dr. Altobelli is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a member of the national societies of echocardiography and nuclear cardiology. He has had several medical publications.

John J. Burns, M.D.

Invasive and Non-invasive Cardiology

Dr. John Burns received his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University and medical degree from Hahnemann University. He completed his internship at the University of California, Irvine, residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and cardiology fellowship at Presbyterian Hospital-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Dr Burns returned to UMDNJ as a member of the medical school faculty before joining Cardiology Associates of New Brunswick.

The author of numerous manuscripts on cardiovascular disease, Dr. Burns is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology. He is Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a Fellow of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. He has served as Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at St. Peter’s Medical Center and on the Board of Directors of the Middlesex and Hunterdon-Somerset County chapters of the American Heart Association. Dr. Burns has been listed in 'America's Best Doctors' and 'New York Metro Area Top Doctors.'

Jeanne L. DeMoss, D.O.

Non-invasive Cardiology

Dr. DeMoss has undergraduate degrees from both Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania and the Medical University of South Carolina. Her first career was as a cardiac perfusionist for patients undergoing open heart surgery. She served as Chief Perfusionist, Clinical Coordinator, and Clinical Education Coordinator for a facility in California and also worked at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. DeMoss subsequently entered medical school, receiving her degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1990. She completed her intership, residency, and cardiology fellowship within the UMDNJ system. Dr. DeMoss is a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography, is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology.

Amit Kalra, M.D., M.S.
Non-invasive Cardiology

Dr. Kalra received his undergraduate and masters degrees in biomedical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He then attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in Baltimore. Dr. Kalra completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and his fellowship in cardiology at Hahnemann Hospital , both in Philadelphia . He also completed advanced training in cardiac CT angiography at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in Internal Medical as well as Cardiovascular Diseases. He is the newest addition to Cardiology Associates and started in January of 2008. His interests include general cardiovascular care and preventive cardiology, as well as cardiovascular imaging. His imaging expertise includes echocardiography, nuclear stress testing, cardiac CT and vascular ultrasound.

Erwin Mermelstein, M.D.

Invasive and Non-invasive Cardiology

Dr. Erwin Mermelstein attended Columbia University and Cornell Medical School. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at New York Hospital - Cornell Medical Center. After a cardiology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, he joined Cardiology Associates of New Brunswick.

Dr. Mermelstein has authored numerous research papers. Board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology, he is Clinical Instructor in Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He has been listed in 'America's Best Doctors' and 'New York Metro Area Top Doctors.'

David H. Schaer, M.D.

Invasive and Non-invasive Cardiology

A native of New York City, Dr. David H. Schaer attended Sheepshead Bay High School, graduating at the age of 16 in 1973. After receiving his BA degree in Music from Vassar College in 1977, Dr. Schaer attended medical school at the University of California, San Diego. Upon graduation, Dr. Schaer pursued internal medicine with a three year residency at New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center from 1981 to 1984. He completed further specialty training in cardiovascular disease with a three year fellowship at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. Dr. Schaer joined Cardiology Associates of New Brunswick in 1987.

He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and the subspecialty of interventional cardiology. Dr Schaer has been listed in 'America's Best Doctors.' In addition to his position at Cardiology Associates, Dr. Schaer serves as President of the New Brunswick Cardiology Journal Club as well as Editor of New Jersey Cardiology, the newsletter for the N.J. Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. For the past five years, Dr. Schaer has served as an officer at Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick. He helped to found the Partners in Education program where local professionals work with teachers in inner-city schools. Dr. Schaer writes music for piano and performs annually at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital during the Physicians and Their Arts Festival. Dr. Schaer lives in East Brunswick with his family.

Roger Shell, M.D.

Invasive and Non-invasive Cardiology

Dr. Roger Shell was raised on Long Island and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colby College. After working for several years as a research chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, he changed professions and entered the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, graduating in 1977. During medical school, Dr. Shell was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. After his internal medicine residency, Dr. Shell completed his cardiology training at Presbyterian Hospital-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

Dr. Shell is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology. He is Clinical Assistant Professor at UMDNJ -Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He is a member of the Medical Board and also the Executive Oversight Committee of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Dr. Shell has been listed in 'America's Best Doctors' and 'New York Metro Area Top Doctors'. He has two daughters who are out of college and a son who attends the University of Michigan. His extracurricular interests include sports, hiking, theatre, music, and the New York Yankees

Dwayne, Siu. D.O.

Non-invasive Cardiology and Electrophysiology

Dr. Dwayne Siu received his B.S. in Biology at the University of Oregon. He attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and later transferred to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. His post-graduate training included internship and residency in internal medicine at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark and fellowship training in cardiology at the New Jersey Medical School. He received additional training in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital-Columbia University in New York City. In addition to his position at Cardiology Associates of New Brunswick, Dr. Siu is Director of Arrhythmia Services at St. Peter's University Hospital

Dr. Siu is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and cardiac electrophysiology. He was awarded added qualifications in cardiac pacing and defibrillation by the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. Dr. Sui's clinical interests include the treatment and molecular biology of cardiac arrhythmias, biventricular pacing for congestive heart failure, and the evaluation and treatment of syncope (loss of consciousness.) Outside interests include reading, movies, computers, and karate

Sue Ann Reese, M.S.N, R.N., A.P.N.,C., C.C.R.N.

A central New Jersey resident, Sue Ann Reese earned her diploma in nursing from St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton. She then completed a Bachelor’s degree in nursing with high honors from Rutger’s University, Newark, and a Master’s degree in nursing from Monmouth University, West Long Branch. During her graduate studies, she was awarded several scholarships for excellence in scholastic achievement, along with grants and awards for nursing research. In 1999, Sue Ann received certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Sue Ann’s professional nursing activities include memberships in the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for which she is certified as a critical care nurse, the New Jersey State Nurses Association, and the New Jersey Forum for Advanced Practice Nursing. In 1995, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and currently holds dual membership in the Alpha Tau and Lambda Delta chapters.

Her professional nursing experience encompasses twenty-five years of critical care nursing which include work as a nurse, nurse manager, and nurse educator in critical care nursing. Before joining Cardiology Associates in 2003, Sue Ann worked three years as a nurse practitioner managing complex cardiac surgery patients.

Sue Ann’s outside interests include fitness, sports, and she is an avid New York Yankees fan.

Christine D. Savarese, A.P.R.N.,B.C.

A central New Jersey resident, Christine Savarese earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics with high honors from the University of Vermont and a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston. During her undergraduate studies, Christine was nominated for the Nutrition Sciences Faculty Award and was a member of the Alpha Zeta Honor Society. During her graduate studies, she was awarded scholarships for excellence in scholastic achievement. In 1995, Christine earned certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Christine's professional nursing activities include memberships in the American Nurses Association and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Her professional experience encompasses both clinical work as a Registered Dietitian at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and as a staff nurse in Hematology and Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Before joining Cardiology Associates in 2004, Christine worked as a Nurse Practitioner for 8 years in Primary Care as well as an Internal Medicine group specializing in Infectious Disease management.

Christine's outside interests include running, tennis, skiing, hiking, and travel. She has resided in Europe and Asia and has traveled worldwide.

Lina Shi, M.S.N, R.N., A.P.N.,C., C.C.R.N.

Lina Shi received her Master's degree from the School of Nursing at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Newark in 1999. She was a recipient of a full scholarship from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for excellent academic performance and excellence in clinical performance during her nursing school studies. She was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society in 1997. Prior to joining Cardiology Associates in November of 2002, Lina worked as an open heart surgery nurse for 7 years at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She is certified as a critical care nurse and board certified as an adult nurse practitioner.

Lina serves as a member of the Advisory Health Council for East Brunswick Township. She resides in East Brunswick, New Jersey with her husband and three children.