BRYAN HEART

Bryan Heart welcomes Dr. Anchan, Dr. Jain, Dr. Meier and Dr. Pacini

The Bryan Heart physician team is growing to meet the needs of patients and the Midwest communities served. Fall 2021 brought four new physicians to Bryan Heart — two invasive cardiologists and two interventional cardiologists.

Invasive cardiologists, such as Dr. Anuj Jain and Dr. Ross Pacini, specialize in a wide variety of testing and treatments to help individuals with any sort of heart disease or heart condition. Invasive cardiologists perform minimally invasive tests to further identify or treat coronary artery disease and other issues within the heart.

Interventional cardiologists, like Dr. Rajeev Anchan and Dr. Isaac Meier, receive additional training in treating cardiovascular diseases and conditions using a variety of nonsurgical procedures known as “interventions.” Interventional cardiologists perform catheter-based procedures such as placing stents to open blocked arteries, repairing holes in the heart and replacing aortic or mitral valves.

Interventional cardiologist Rajeev Anchan, MD, is a native of Omaha who was interested in math and science in high school. While in college at Creighton University, Dr. Anchan worked as an EKG technician at a local hospital, but it wasn’t until medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine that he decided to specialize in cardiology.

“I was involved in some research projects and that’s when I really fell in love with the heart, how it works and why it is important,” he says. Dr. Anchan stayed in Omaha and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He continued his training at the University of Chicago, where he completed a cardiology fellowship followed by an additional interventional cardiology fellowship. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds ABIM board certification in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. Dr. Anchan also is board certified in nuclear cardiology and echocardiology. He is excited to join Bryan Heart because of its focus on excellent patient care. He says, “Bryan Heart has put themselves at the forefront as far as being at the cutting-edge of procedures they are able to offer patients.” While heart issues are extremely complex, Dr. Anchan believes it is important to provide his patients with an understanding of Dr. Rajeev and Elisa Anchan enjoy walks in the park with their son, Gus — and plan to begin taking him on bike rides soon.

how the heart should function. He says, “Cardiologists are like detectives. We figure out how things are broken, what things should look like, and then together (with the patient) what we can do to actually fix things.” His ultimate goal is to “come alongside my patients so they can have a good quality of life.” Dr. Anchan not only appreciates Bryan Heart’s emphasis on patient care and the latest technology, he is also grateful to be working with a team of colleagues who “strengthen one another and lead the field together in cardiovascular care.” He has been married to Elisa for nearly five years. The couple met through mutual friends at a bonfire in Omaha when she was in law school and he was finishing his internal medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The Anchans have a one-year old son named Gus who “just started walking,” Dr. Anchan shares. When Dr. Anchan isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family. On weekends they meet relatives in the park, shoot basketball hoops in their driveway, and hike and bike. “Now that Gus is getting a little bigger, you can expect to see us out on the trails biking with him in tow,” he says. Dr. Anchan is enjoying life to the fullest and he’s working hard to ensure that his patients can do the same. To watch an interview with Dr. Anchan, go to bryanheart.com/DrAnchan.

Cardiologist Anuj Jain, MD, is from New Delhi, India. Dr. Jain attributes his interest in medicine to his father, who also was a physician. He says, “Watching him help the comespecially enjoy the field of heart failure and cardiac imaging.” Armed with such an extensive understanding of the heart, Dr. Jain is prepared to offer exceptional care for his patients. Equally munity inspired me to follow in his footsteps.” As a first step, Dr. Jain earned his medical degree from the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi in 1987. The next part of his journey took him much further away from India, to New York City, where he completed his internal medicine residency at New York Medical College and Lincoln Medical Center. From there he pursued a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. Dr. Ritoo Jain (left) and Dr. Anuj Jain (far right) have two accomplished children: their son, Ojus, is studying at Georgetown University, and daughter, Isha, also is a physician. Dr. Jain is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease and heart failure transplant, and he is board certified in nuclear cardiology. No matter how much he has experienced, Dr. Jain continues to be fascinated with the evolving nature of cardiology. He says, “I enjoy being on the cutting edge of my field. I am constantly

VIDEO learning new procedures and improving myself as a physician. I important to him is the willingness to listen to his patients. “During a visit with me, you can expect to be listened to. I always put my patients first and want people to feel taken care of. I treat them as I would treat my family,” he says. Family is important to Dr. Jain. He and his wife, Ritoo, who is an internal medicine physician with Lincoln Internal Medicine, have been married for nearly 30 years. They decided to live in Lincoln because it was “the ideal choice to raise a family.”

He says, “I moved to Lincoln about 20 years ago and have never looked back.”

The couple have two adult children. Their daughter, Isha, also is a doctor and pursuing further education in public health. Their son, Ojus, is a student at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Dr. Anuj Jain says, “I am excited to see where they end up.” If they are like their parents, they will be dedicated to serving their community with great skill and commitment.

As busy as he is, Dr. Jain finds ways to relax outside of work. He says, “I enjoy playing tennis, traveling with my family and spending time in the community.”

Interventional cardiologist Isaac C. Meier, MD, grew up in a family dedicated to medicine. This native of Salina, Kansas, points out, “My father was a physician, and I was interested in medicine for as long as I can remember.” Dr. Meier did his undergraduate work at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Following graduation from medical school in 2014, he completed an internal medicine residency at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, Minnesota. His interest in cardiology solidified while he was at Mayo. He says, “During my time in internal medicine I decided I would enjoy a procedural field and that tipped me towards cardiology.” He continued his education with fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Dr. Meier is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, and he also is board certified in nuclear cardiology and echocardiography. Dr. Meier appreciates that Bryan Health is locally operated and makes decisions with the local community in mind. He says, “I was not familiar with Bryan Heart before my interviews but it immediately made a strong and lasting impression on me, especially because of their desire to be on the cutting edge and deliver the most patient-centric cardiac care in the region.” Offering patients the best quality care is his main objective. He says, “I try to understand what they want and build trust.” Bryan Heart affords Dr. Meier a multitude of tools and opportunities to provide excellent care and to build trust. He says, “Whether I’m seeing a patient for the long term and making small changes over several months or doing a procedure where the patient can go from being really sick to ready to walk out of the hospital the next morning, I think cardiology is a fantastic specialty.” Joining Bryan Heart and living in Lincoln has been a good move for Dr. Meier and his wife, Theresa. The couple met through mutual friends and have been married for six years. They have a three-yearold son, Max. Dr. Meier says, “Location was key in our decision. We both grew up in Kansas and have family spread throughout Kansas and Iowa. Being close to family was important to us. “When we visited Lincoln, we loved the feeling of community and were blown away by the kindness and hospitality we were shown. We are excited to call Lincoln our home.” When Dr. Meier isn’t caring for patients, he enjoys listening to music, being outdoors and spending time with family. “Both Theresa and Max also enjoy the outdoors so we like to spend our weekends exploring state parks and camping,” he says.

To watch an interview with Dr. Meier, go to bryanheart.com/DrMeier. Dr. Isaac and Theresa Meier enjoy outdoor activities with Max.

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Cardiologist Ross Pacini, MD, grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, the son of a cardiologist. However, he says, “I swore I wasn’t going to be a doctor and definitely not a cardiologist.” Despite his initial reluctance to follow in his father’s professional footsteps, Dr. Pacini earned his medical degree at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, where his interest gravitated towards the cardiac subjects. He says, “When we did pharmacology and talked about cardiac medicines, I would memorize those better. When we saw cardiac patients I realized I really like helping these people.” Dr. Pacini continued his medical education with a residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, followed by a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease, and he is board certified in nuclear cardiology and echocardiology. In 2012, he returned to Colorado and worked in private practice until joining Bryan Heart this year. He says, “I had never been to Lincoln and was about to sign with a group in Omaha. Bryan was my last interview. I was immediately impressed. No other place compared in terms of organization, kindness and professionalism.” Dr. Pacini enjoys many aspects of being a cardiologist, but his favorite part is spending time with patients.

“One of the nice things about cardiology is that there is so much we can do for patients now. Most people have a pretty good prognosis,” he says.

To set his patients at ease, he uses anecdotes from his own life to reassure them. “I tell people with extra heart beats (PVCs) that my wife gets those, too. I calmly tell her to go back to bed, as those are completely benign,” he says.

Another favorite is his father’s rule of thumb: If you can point to your area of chest pain with one finger, then it’s never your heart causing the pain. Finally, when older patients are losing weight unintentionally he tells them to eat whatever they want. He says, “When my grandfather was in his 90s, we would bring him Raisinets and Butterfinger candy bars for dinner. My grandmother objected, but my father and I knew the calories were much more important than

Dr. Ross and Milly Pacini have three daughters — Penelope, Colette and Evelyn. the nutritional content.” Dr. Pacini is married to Milly, whom he met on a blind date. He says, “My friend from high school was a partner in Milly’s law firm in Chicago, where I trained. He was back in Grand Junction having dinner with my parents and they complained that I was single. My friend’s wife suggested Milly.” That was nine years ago. Today the Pacinis are the parents of three beautiful little girls; Penelope (“P”), Colette (“Coco”) and Evelyn (“Evie”). When he isn’t working, Dr. Pacini relishes spending time with his family, taking the girls to the zoo, going to the movies and visiting kids’ parks. He also likes to do yardwork and landscaping projects, and he studies apologetics, finance and investing. On a final note, he says, “I enjoy following the news and my new favorite team, the Huskers.” A happy husband, a doting dad and a dedicated doctor, Dr. Pacini is an outstanding addition to Bryan Heart. n To watch an interview with Dr. Pacini, please go to bryanheart.com/DrPacini. VIDEO To learn more about the work of Bryan Heart, call 402-483-3333.