Meet the Cardiothoracic Surgery Team
St. Vincent's Medical Center has had a cardiac surgery program in place since the mid 1970s. The cardiac surgeons at St.Vincent’s Medical Center are Dr. Daniel Rose and Dr. Rafael Squitieri. The team also consists of five full-time physician assistants who are in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week,working directly with the surgeons to care for our patients. In addition,we have an experienced cardiology, nursing, respiratory, case management, and rehabilitation staff specializing in the care of cardiac surgery patients.
THE SURGEONS
Dr. Daniel Rose
Dr. Rose is a native of Denver, Colorado. He attended college at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in 1969. Following college, he went to medical school at the University of Colorado and did his surgery and cardiothoracic training at New York University-Bellevue Hospitals, finishing in 1982. In 1979-1980, he worked on research at the National Heart Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Rose came to St. Vincent's as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 1988. Prior to that time, he worked in New York City. Dr. Rose's primary areas of interest are in adult cardiac surgery, including operations for valvular heart disease, both repair and replacement, and coronary artery bypass operations. Dr. Rose lives in Fairfield.
Dr. Rafael Squitieri
Dr. Squitieri is a native of Greenwich, CT. He attended college at Columbia University graduating in 1989. After college, he attended Mt. Sinai Medical School in New York City. He did his surgical and cardiothoracic training at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Mt. Sinai Hospital finishing in 1993. Following the completion of his training, he joined Dr. Rose at St.Vincent's. In addition to training in adult cardiac surgery, Dr. Squitieri has had extensive experience with videoscopic techniques for thoracic surgical procedures (resection and diagnosis of lung tumors, drainage of recurrent effusions, etc.) and procedures involving diseases of the thoracic aorta (aneurysms, dissections). Dr. Squitieri lives in Wilton, CT.
THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
Dawn Moser, B.S., PA-C
Moser graduated from Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia, with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science, Physician Assistant Certification, 1978. Moser then went on to complete post-graduate surgical residency at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1978-1980. She worked as a Senior Physician Assistant in Cardiovascular Surgery at the Hospital of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. She then joined St. Vincent's Medical Center team in 1981 as a Cardiovascular Physician Assistant. In addition to her position at St. Vincent's, Moser has worked in the Emergency Department at Park City Hospital, and has been a Clinical Instructor for postgraduate surgical residency for Physician Assistants. For her pioneering work with endoscopic vein harvesting skills, she received a "500 Club" award, from the Guidant Corporation.
Gail Drake, A.S., B.S., PA-C
In 1982, Drake graduated with a Medical Lab Technician Associates Degree from Bronx Community College and research program. She then continued her studies by entering the City College of New York Harlem Hospital's Physician Assistants Program and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1984. She then worked as a Physician Assistant (PA) in Orthopaedics, General Surgery, and Urology for over a year. At this point, Drake pursued a career as a PA in Cardiothoracic surgery at Montifiore Medical Center. However, Drake has since been at St.Vincent's Medical Center as of July of 1987 on our Cardiothoracic Surgery Service.
Paige Birney, B.S.N., M.H.S., PA-C
Birney is a graduate of Quinnipiac University's Physician Assistant program. She received a Master's in Health Science with distinction in 2000. She also has a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Loyola University in 1994. Prior to her Physician Assistant degree, she worked as a nurse in the intensive care unit, emergency room and cardiac unit. Birney has been employed at St. Vincent's Medical Center as a Cardiothoracic PA since September of 2000.
Dave Malsheske, B.S., M.H.S., PA-C
Malsheske graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology from Marist College. He then completed his studies with a Master's of Health Science Degree from Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant program in 2001. After graduation, he worked at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons Association in Hartford until January 2004. He came to St.Vincent's Cardiothoracic Surgery Service in February 2004.
Julie Pappalardo, B.S., M.H.S., PA-C
In 1995, Pappalardo graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She then worked with individuals with spinal cord injuries, strokes and traumatic brain injuries, and as a therapist in a rehabilitation hospital for five years prior to her Physician Assistant training. In 2002, she graduated from the Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant program with a Master's of Health Science Degree. She has been a part of the Cardiothoracic Surgery service at St.Vincent's Medical Center since September 2002.
