Heart + Stroke Symposium

St. Clair’s virtual symposium focuses on stroke awareness and two new cardiology procedures that help mitigate the risk of a stroke. 

Did you know 1 in 4 people worldwide will have a stroke and it’s one of the top 5 causes of death in the United States? St. Clair Health has initiated a Stroke-Cardiology treatment consortium in order to manage atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and patent foramen ovale (PFO), two cardiac conditions that may cause stroke.  St. Clair’s main priority is educating you on how to prevent a stroke and providing advanced techniques that focus on your specific condition.

Ask the Experts

The St. Clair Health Heart + Stroke Symposium brought together expert panelists to discuss stroke awareness and a pair of new heart procedures now available at the Hospital that can help mitigate the risk of stroke. A huge thank you goes out to the doctors and staff who made the event happen—and everyone who submitted questions for the Live Q&A Event.

Looking to catch up on the Heart + Stroke Symposium presentations and LIVE Q&A session? We have it covered!
Click the sections below to watch our recorded presentations and LIVE Q&A event. 

Presentations Below:

  • Stroke Presentation:  Dr. Maxim Hammer opens the series and presents about stroke awareness
  • PFO Closure Presentation: Dr. Kyle Buchanan discusses the patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure device to help reduce the risk of stroke
  • Watchman Presentation: Dr. Jeffrey Liu video presentation on the Watchman™ device that can minimize a patient’s risk of stroke
  • LIVE Q&A Session: Dr. Andy Kiser moderates a virtual Q&A session with all three physicians to discuss your questions

Stroke Presentation

Watchman Presentation

PFO Presentation

LIVE Q&A Session

The Moderator

Andy C. Kiser, M.D., FACS, FACC, FCCP

Dr. Kiser specializes in cardiac and thoracic surgery. He earned a B.S. in biology with honors and distinction, and a medical degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He subsequently completed a residency in general surgery there, as well as fellowships in cardiac and thoracic surgery. From 2011 to 2016, he served as the Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was also the Byah Thomason-Sanford Doxey Distinguished Professor of Surgery. Dr. Kiser served as the J. Mark Williams Distinguished Professor in Cardiac Surgery, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, and the Director of Cardiovascular Surgical Services at East Carolina University Heart Institute, which is affiliated with East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina. In May, 2018, Dr. Kiser earned an MBA degree from the Kenan-Flagler Business School, also part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Kiser practices with St. Clair Medical Group.

To contact Dr. Kiser, please call 412.942.5728.

The Panelists

Maxim D. Hammer, M.D., MBA

Dr. Hammer earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y., and completed his neurology residency at Cleveland Clinic, where he was elected chief resident. He also completed a Vascular Neurology Fellowship at UPMC. Dr. Hammer was named a Best Doctor in Neurology in Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2020 Best Doctors report. Before joining St. Clair, he held numerous titles, including Vice Chairman, Clinical Affairs, Department of Neurology; Clinical Director of Neurology; and Director of Stroke Services at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Board-certified in both neurology and vascular neurology, he also currently serves as an associate professor, Department of Neurology, at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. Dr. Hammer practices with St. Clair Medical Group.

To contact Dr. Hammer, please call 412.942.6300.

Kyle D. Buchanan, M.D., FACC

Dr. Buchanan specializes in cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology. He earned his medical degree at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and completed his fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at Medical College of Wisconsin, Georgetown, MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Buchanan is board-certified in cardiovascular diseases, cardiology, and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group.

To contact Dr. Buchanan, please call 412.942.7900.

Jeffrey C. Liu, M.D., FHRS

Dr. Liu specializes in cardiovascular diseases, interventional cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. He earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center, served as Chief Resident at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, and completed fellowships in Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiac Electrophysiology at UPMC. Dr. Liu is board-certified in cardiovascular diseases, cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices with St. Clair Medical Group.

To contact Dr. Liu, please call 412.942.7900.