Our Staff

Aaron Hirsch R.Ph
President, CEO and Founder

Aaron received his BS degree from University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1994. Since then he was a community pharmacist, and currently practices part-time pharmacy at Target in Amherst, New York. He developed his interest in EECP and cardiology upon his taking part in his fathers care for coronary artery disease and subsequent and very successful treatment with EECP. Aaron has successfully completed hundreds of hours of continuing education programs in the area of heart disease. He also is in the process of establishing the ECRF or External Counterpulsation Research Foundation which will provide the opportunity to expand upon and increase the use of External Counterpulsation in the United States by extending research and visibility.
 

Jennifer R. O’Connell-Couchman, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer is a 1997 graduate of Canisius College with a Bachelors of Science in accounting.  Since, graduating she has worked in the public accounting sector locally for eleven years, as well as earning her Certified Public Accounting license with the state of New York. Jennifer has focused much of her career in auditing, accounting and review services specifically for closely held companies in professional service firms and non-profit organizations.  She also has experience with small business tax services.

Jennifer is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. She also is a member of the Niagara Frontier American Legion Post 1041 Women’s Auxiliary and is currently serving on the St. Margaret’s Parish Finance Committee.
 

Michael E. Merhige MD 
Medical Director

Dr. Merhige is Board Certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and Clinical Associate Professor of Nuclear Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he directs the Nuclear Cardiology Fellowship program. He completed programs at the University of Kentucky, Mayo Clinic and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, as well as an NIH Research Fellowship in Nuclear Cardiology / PET under Dr. K. Lance Gould, who pioneered clinical cardiac PET imaging in man.

www.cadreversal.com

Leon Levinsky MD
Medical Director

Dr Levinsky is a Cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of congestive heart failure using special re-synchronization pacemakers and defibrillators. During the past few years he has become interested in the use of EECP in the treatment of intractable angina pectoris and heart failure. He received his medical training at the University of London, England. He trained as a Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon in the UK, Israel and the USA.

www.cardiacsync.com

Ranjan Bhayana, MD
Medical Director

Dr. Ranjan Bhayana has been a member of the Buffalo Medical Group, PC, since 2000, and also is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

He earned his medical degree cum laude at UB, and completed his internal medicine specialty training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital. Dr. Bhayana also was awarded a cardiology fellowship at the University at Buffalo, and trained at UB-affiliated hospitals.

A Fellow in the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Bhayana is a member of the Erie County Medical Society and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Dr. Bhayana has co-authored several research articles and abstracts for medical journals and publications.

His hospital affiliations include Buffalo General, Millard Fillmore Gates Circle and Suburban, Lake Shore and Lockport Memorial. Dr. Bhayana and Prashula Ellsworth, PA joined the VascuFlo staff in August of 2007
 

Dr. Craig A. Horner, DC, MSA, LAc
Doctor of Chiropractic
Master of Science in Acupuncture

Dr Craig A Horner was born and raised in Western New York and is a graduate of Canisius High School. He received an Associate degree in Applied Science from Villa Maria College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College in Albany. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College in 2003. Since that time, he has been in private practice and teaching in the Health Science department at Villa Maria College. Most recently Dr. Horner received his Masters of Science in Acupuncture from New York Chiropractic College and is one of only a few health professionals in Western New York to offer both chiropractic and acupuncture services.

Kerri Hirsch
Program Administrator- Office Manager

Kerri Hirsch has an extensive background in the medical field and customer service. She received her undergraduate education at Bowling Green State University and Graduate Degree from Suny at Buffalo.

Brittany Hartwig
Office Assistant

Brittany Hartwig is currently majoring in Elementary Education at Buffalo State College.  At the end of August, Brittany will start her second Junior Participation Program at William Street Elementary School.  She plans on completing her Bachelor’s degree in December 2010 and will continue her education at Buffalo State College to receive her Master’s degree in Special Education.
 

Jody Powley
EMT/I CIC EECP Therapist

Jody has been actively involved in Emergency Medical Services as a profession and as a volunteer for over twenty years. She is a NYS Dept of Health Certified Instructor Coordinator and is a member of the faculty at Erie Community College teaching in the Emergency Medical Technology department. Jody is certified in Advanced Cardiac life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She also is certified as an American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor.
 

Nicole Braun
EECP Therapist

Nicole Braun received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from West Virginia University.  She is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine and is also a certified EECP therapist.  Nicole has experience working in cardiac rehabilitation, stress testing and EECP.


 

Joseph Eddy
EECP Therapist

Joseph Eddy has been actively involved in Emergency Medical Services/ Fire service as a volunteer for over 6 years. Joe brings with him, commitment and dependability as he has proudly served our country in the Army Reserve for over 15 years.  Joe will be pursuing continued education and his degree in Health Science in the spring of 2009.






 

David Bialas
EMT/D CLI EECP Therapist

David has been actively involved in Emergency Medical Services as a Volunteer for over 4 years. David is a NYS Department of Health Certified Lab Instructor and is a member of the Continuing Education/EMS Department at Niagara University. David is also a certified CPR instructor for the American Heart Association. David holds certifications for Basic Trauma Life Support and has received training in GEMS for geriatric care. Aside from his EMT and CLI license, David holds a B.A. in Political Science and History and an A.O.S. in Fire Science Technology.
 

Diane Graf
LPN EECP Therapist

Diane is certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of New York. She was employed at TLC Health Network for 13 years prior to joining VascuFlo. During her time working at TLC Health Network, Diane mainly dealt with emergencies but was also qualified to work the intensive care unit, stress testing, cardiac rehab, and rehab/long term care. She currently holds a CPR and AED certification as well.

Corrin Matthews, C.Ht.
Certified Master Hypnotist and Sports Mental Coach

Corrin received her BS degree in Psychology from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2001 and numerous levels of certification up to Master Hypnotherapist and Sports Mental Coach from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute between 1996 and 2007. Her passion for hypnosis and healing is never ending.  She stays current with new developments in the field of
hypnosis by enhancing her education continuously.  For 13 years Corrin has worked with local programs, community groups, people and athletes across the United States and the United Kingdom for vocational and personal improvement and self enrichment. Corrin's hypnosis training, experience, and her record of achievement for both herself and her clients has placed her in great demand as a motivator and as a specialist. Whether you're looking to quit smoking or other unhealthy habits, lost weight, eliminate stress, eliminate
pain, recover from injury faster, enhance your athletic performance and mental game or anything else that the subconscious controls. Corrin can and will bring about the best results.