Thoracic Surgeon

Dr. Jatinder Dhillon completed his general surgery residency at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, his cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery, and serves as the Co-Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery for John Muir Health and the Chairman of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek. Dr. Dhillon specializes in vascular surgery, thoracic surgery and adult cardiac surgery including minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery and atrial fibrillation surgery.

Thoracic Surgeon

Dr. Tanveer Khan completed his general surgery residency at Harvard Medical School and his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also completed an endovascular fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine and a Transplant and Adult Cardiac Surgery Fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is board certified in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. Dr. Khan specializes in adult cardiovascular surgery and endovascular surgery including aortic stent grafts.

Thoracic Surgeon

Dr. Ramesh Veeragandham completed his general surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego and a cardiovascular and thoracic surgery fellowship at Rush Presbyterian Medical Center in Chicago. He is board certified in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery, and is the Co-Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery for John Muir Health. Dr. Veeragandham specializes in adult cardiac surgery, minimally invasive valve surgery, aortic valve repair, and complex aortic surgery and endovascular surgery.    

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Dr. Murali Dharan completed his general surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego and his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is board certified in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. Dr. Dharan specializes in adult cardiac surgery, valvular surgery and minimally invasive cardiac and thoracic surgery including valve repair and atrial fibrillation surgery. 

Fariba Foroushani, M.D.

Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Dr. Fariba Foroushani completed her anesthesiology residency at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon and her adult and pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesia fellowship at the University of California in Los Angeles. She has worked at John Muir Health since 2006 and is currently a cardiac anesthesiologist and the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology.     

Janine Mattice, RN, CNOR

Cardiac Surgery Operating Room Nurse Clinician

Janine received her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. She has worked at the John Muir Medical Center, Concord since 1994 and is currently the Clinical Coordinator for Cardiac Vascular and Thoracic Services. Her role includes overseeing the needs of surgeons and ensuring the core team runs efficiently to provide cardiac patients with exceptional care.

Rolyn Alvarez, RN, BSN, CNOR

Cardiac Surgery Operating Room Nurse

Rolyn received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from San Francisco State University. She has worked at John Muir Health since 2002 and is currently the Clinical Coordinator for Thoracic and Bariatric Surgery.

Laurie Oldham-Stephens, BS, MPA-C

Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant

Laurie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology at the University of California at Santa Barbara and completed her Master Physician Assistant Program at Samuel Merritt College. She has worked at John Muir Health since 2016 and is currently a Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant where she assists surgeons in the care of cardiac surgery patients in the hospital before, during and after surgery. 

Marife Woods, PA-C

Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant

Marife received her Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry at Barnard College of Columbia University and completed her Physician Assistant Program at Cornell Weil Medical College in New York.  She has worked at John Muir Health since 2010 and is currently a cardiac surgery Physician Assistant where she assists cardiac surgeons in the care of cardiac surgery patients before, during and after surgery.

Mary Nichols, RN, BSN, CHFN

Cardiac Nurse Navigator

Mary received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Clemson University. She has worked at John Muir Health since 1999 where is currently a Cardiac Nurse Navigator providing education and support to patients and families with cardiovascular issues.

Lisa Marquez, RN, , BSN, MICN, TNCC, CGRN, PHN

Cardiac Nurse Navigator

Lisa received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University. She has certifications in mobile intensive care nursing, trauma nursing, gastroenterology nursing and public health nursing. Lisa has worked at the John Muir Medical Center, Concord since 2000 and is now a Cardiac Nurse Navigator where she provides support and education to cardiovascular surgery, heart attack and heart failure patients.  

Jessica Haney, RN, , BSN, PCCN    

Cardiac Nurse Navigator

Jessica completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the California State University in the East Bay. She has been working at John Muir Health since 2009 and is currently a Cardiac Nurse Navigator. Jessica assists heart surgery patients by getting their pre-operative testing done quickly, providing feedback, answering questions, assessing progress, walking them through the process and educating them throughout their stay. 

Pamela Lavering, MSN, RN-BC

Manager, Chest Pain Program and Cardiac Education

Pamela received her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Nursing from Western Governors University. She has worked at John Muir Health since 1991 and currently is Manager of the Chest Pain and Heart Failure programs at both John Muir Medical Center locations, in Concord and Walnut Creek. 

Dawn Bautista, RN, BSN

Cardiac Conditioning Nurse

Dawn received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from San Diego State University. She started at John Muir Health in 2004, left briefly in 2005 to embark on a 2-year travel nursing program, and is now the Lead Nurse for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at the John Muir Medical Center, Concord.  

Alicia "Lici" Bordona, RN, MSN, CNL

Cardiac Case Manager

Lici received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Fresno State, and her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of San Francisco. She has worked at John Muir Health since 2004 and is currently a Cardiac Care Manager. One of her primary responsibilities is preparing patients for their return home. 

Mary Draper, RN, BSN

Coordinator, Quality Improvement

Mary received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the California State University in San Francisco. She has worked at John Muir Medical Center, Concord since 1993. Mary is currently the Quality Improvement Coordinator where she oversees quality improvement of cardiovascular and sepsis patients using evidence-based practice.  

Samantha Roberts, RN, BSN, PCCN

Cardiac Nurse Navigator

Samantha completed her Nursing program at Sonoma State University. She has been working at John Muir Health since 2016, and is currently a Cardiac Nurse Navigator. Samantha has certifications in progressive care nursing and cardiac-vascular nursing. Her role within the cardiac surgery team is to provide support and education to patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. This includes pre-operative testing and education, as well as post-op education and follow up.