Catawba Valley Cardiology

Dr. Amish Sura is an Interventional Cardiologist whose interests are in the management of coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and Structural cardiology procedures. He attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill followed by Residency at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His Cardiology fellowship was completed at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He completed Interventional Cardiology training at Emory University Medical Center in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Sura practiced general and Interventional Cardiology for many years in Maryland prior to relocating back home to North Carolina. A married father of 2, Dr. Sura enjoys travelling, sports and spending time with his family and friends.

Ashleigh Hayes started her career in nursing in 2012 when she obtained her Associate Degree in Nursing from Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC. Upon graduation, she began work at Catawba Valley Medical Center. While working on the Intermediate Care Unit, she attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in 2013. Ashleigh continued her work at Catawba Valley Medical Center, where she worked in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, later moving to the Critical Care Unit. During this time, she attended Gardner-Webb University and earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner studies. In May 2020, she completed her studies and obtained her Family Nurse Practitioner certification from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Dr. Carolyn Jean Park, MD, MSc is a cardiologist with Catawba Valley Cardiology through a partnership with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. She specializes in advanced cardiac care and non‑invasive cardiac imaging to diagnose and guide treatment for a wide range of heart and circulatory conditions.

Dr. Park treats complex cardiovascular conditions including cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, and aortoiliac (large vessel) disease. She is recognized for her expertise in advanced cardiac imaging modalities, including cardiac MRI and cardiac CT, which play a vital role in precise diagnosis and treatment planning.

She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and went on to complete her residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Dr. Park completed her fellowship in cardiology at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and pursued further advanced training in cardiac imaging at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.

Dr. Park is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and serves as an Assistant Professor of Cardiology. Her patient‑centered approach focuses on combining clinical expertise with the latest imaging technology to support informed care decisions and personalized treatment plans.

Cory Wiles is a nationally certified Physician Assistant who earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, and his Bachelor of Science in Biology from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Prior to joining Catawba Valley Cardiology, Cory served as a Hospitalist Physician Assistant at Caldwell UNC Health Care and as a Nephrology Physician Assistant at Blue Ridge Nephrology and Hypertension Center—both located in Lenoir, NC.

He currently serves on the Physician Assistant Advisory Board at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Cory enjoys mentoring high school and college students interested in the medical field, as well as hosting PA students during their cardiac rotation. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and an Associate of the American College of Cardiology.

In his free time, Cory enjoys being involved in his church community, spending time with family, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.

Eddie Taylor is a Hickory native who began his nursing career in 2015 after earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Following graduation, he worked in the Emergency Department at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He later continued his career at UNC Blue Ridge, where he served in both the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, and at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Main Campus in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.

While working as a registered nurse, he attended Winston-Salem State University and earned his Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner. In May 2022, he completed his studies and obtained his Family Nurse Practitioner certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Prior to joining Catawba Valley Cardiology, he worked as a Hospitalist at UNC Blue Ridge.

In his free time, Eddie enjoys outdoor sports, muscle cars, and spending time with his family.

Dr. George Michael Bodziock, MD is a cardiac electrophysiologist with Catawba Valley Cardiology through a partnership with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, bradycardia, and syncope, and provides advanced therapies such as catheter ablation, implantable devices, left atrial appendage closure, and transvenous lead extraction.

Dr. Bodziock earned his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School and completed his residency in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He pursued fellowship training in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he also contributes as Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine.

He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and is recognized for his expertise in the comprehensive management of arrhythmias and device therapies that improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Bodziock combines evidence‑based techniques with a patient‑centered approach to deliver high‑quality care tailored to individual needs.

Dr. Hicks was born and raised in Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. After high school he attended West Virginia University where he studied Exercise Physiology and Applied and Environmental Microbiology. He then attended the West Virginia University School of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 2015. After medical school he completed his Internal Medicine residency at University Hospitals St. John Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio, located in the western suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. After residency he went to Arnot Ogden Medical Center located in the finger lake region of upstate NY where he completed his Cardiovascular Disease fellowship.

Dr. Kashif Chaudhry is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist and Director of Electrophysiology at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders, with expertise in advanced catheter ablation, device therapy, and comprehensive arrhythmia management.

Dr. Chaudhry completed his electrophysiology training at University of Maryland Medical Center and previously led the Electrophysiology Program at UPMC Williamsport. He is recognized for implementing innovative, evidence-based techniques and for building high-quality electrophysiology programs focused on safety, precision, and durable outcomes.

His clinical philosophy emphasizes the integration of technical excellence with patient-centered care, ensuring treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s individual needs and long-term quality of life. Dr. Chaudhry collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver advanced therapies for a wide range of cardiac arrhythmias and complex device management.

Outside of medicine, he is an avid bird photographer, a human rights activist, and enjoys hiking and spending time with his family.

Laura Craig is a lifelong North Carolinian, she grew up in Caldwell County. She is a board-certified nurse practitioner obtaining certification from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She began her nursing career after obtaining her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in 2005. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, at Appalachian State University in 2012. She then attended UNC Wilmington where she earned her Masters of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner studies, she graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2020. She has worked in the Cardiology Department and in the ICU throughout her nursing career in Caldwell and Catawba County. She has worked in healthcare for over 20 years, with over 17 years of cardiac experience. She is a provider with the Heart Function Clinic at Catawba Valley Cardiology. She has always had a passion for helping others and looks forward to serving the patients and families in Catawba county.

Lisa Michel worked at Hickory Cardiology from 2000 to July 2011. She completed her Physician Assistant Master of Science from Aracadia University in Glenside, PA, and her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Bioethics from Nazareth College in Pitsford, NY. Professionally, Michel is NCCPA Certified, ACLS Certified, and has been a member of the AAPA from 2000 to the present.

Marissa Hyatt became a registered nurse in 2011 after earning her Associates Degree in Nursing from York Technical College. Her early nursing career was spent in intensive care units, including both general ICU and cardiovascular ICU settings. While working full-time, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing through the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015. She later transitioned into emergency nursing, where she served as a charge nurse and expanded her clinical skills further. During this time, she also briefly worked as a travel ED nurse, gaining exposure to diverse healthcare systems and patient populations.

Motivated by a desire to do even more for her patients, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care from the University of Texas at Arlington and received board certification from the ANCC in February 2019.

Since becoming a nurse practitioner, she has been practicing in cardiology specialty clinics in North and South Carolina. Her professional passion lies in delivering exceptional cardiovascular care, staying up to date with the latest advancements in the field, and helping patients achieve better health outcomes.

“I believe in a collaborative approach to care—working closely with each patient’s medical team to ensure personalized, comprehensive treatment plans,” she said.

Marissa currently resides in Statesville, North Carolina, with her husband and their two sons. When she is not cheering them on at football, baseball, wrestling, or band competitions, she enjoys gardening, reading, singing, and staying active through exercise.

Dr. Michael Cantor is a general and interventional cardiologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He completed his medical education at University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Cantor went on to complete his internal medicine residency at St. Luke’s Hospital before relocating to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, where he completed his fellowship training in general and interventional cardiology.

He brings extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, with a focus on comprehensive, patient-centered cardiac care.

Paris Sellers is a Nationally Certified Physician Assistant. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. After becoming a Physician Assistant she completed a Cardiology Fellowship at Atrium Health Charlotte, NC, with the Center for Advance Practice. Paris has been practicing within the Cardiology specialty years in North and South Carolina. She is a provider with the Heart Function Clinic at Cardiology Valley Cardiology. Paris is passionate about delivering excellent patient care to improve patients’ quality of life and functional status. She also enjoys reading, scuba diving and traveling.

Dr. Sean Patrick Whalen is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist with Catawba Valley Cardiology and serves as Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders, offering advanced therapies including catheter ablation, device therapy, and comprehensive arrhythmia management.

Dr. Whalen earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed his postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Emory University School of Medicine, where he pursued fellowship training in cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty in Global Health at Wake Forest Medical Center.

A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Whalen was instrumental in the development of the hybrid ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation, which combines surgical and catheter-based techniques for patients with resistant AFib. He is also a national leader in transvenous lead extraction and played a key role in establishing a specialized training center for complex lead removal procedures.

Dr. Whalen is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. His clinical approach emphasizes innovation, safety, and patient-centered care, with a focus on delivering durable outcomes for patients with complex arrhythmias.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Whalen has served for the past five years as a team leader for Friends of Rudy (FOR) Nicaraguan Health, a nonprofit organization providing medical care to underserved populations in Nicaragua.

Dr. Patel specializes in providing preventive cardiology and has a special interest in treating congestive heart failure, hypertension, arrythmias, and other cardiac conditions.

He grew up in London, England and attended the Medical School of Pécs in Hungary. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiology, both at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. He is board certified in both cardiology and nuclear cardiology, and is a certified registered physician in vascular interpretation.

Dr. Patel has been practicing cardiology in North Carolina for over 20 years and is passionate about providing rural health care. He takes a “patients first” approach to cardiology. He founded the Kings Mountain, NC, chapter of “Walk with a Doc,” which is an organization that offers free walking programs to connect communities with their local physicians. He aims to provide the best evidence-based medical care possible, as well as educate his patients on how to reduce the risk of future cardiac issues.

Outside of cardiology, he enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and playing tennis with his kids. He also enjoys watching UNC and Duke basketball games.

Dr. Vincent Pompili is an interventional cardiologist and currently serves as the Medical Director of Catawba Valley Cardiology. Dr. Pompili completed his medical training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio. Subsequently he went on to complete his training in Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Pompili completed his fellowship in the Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Michigan and his fellowship in Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.

Dr. Pompili has had a long career in academic interventional and general cardiovascular medicine practice. He has served over his career as the Director of the Interventional Cardiology and Catheterization Laboratory at the Ohio State University, the Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Nebraska, the Senior Vice President of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Novant Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and also most recently as the Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Dr. Pompili is passionate about delivering state of the art interventional cardiovascular and structural heart disease care. He lives in Cornelius, North Carolina, with his wife and his two adult children are close by in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Whitney is originally from San Diego, California where she received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego before moving to North Carolina. She then received her Master’s in Business Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After receiving her BSN Magna Cum Laude from UNCC, she then graduated with an MSN and earned her FNP-C certification from the AANP. She is currently working towards a DNP, also at UNCC.