Catawba Valley Vascular Surgery - Hickory

Dr. Abeysekera is a distinguished vascular surgeon with extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating complex vascular conditions. Skilled in both minimally invasive endovascular surgery and traditional open surgery, he adeptly manages a wide range of vascular disorders, including aneurysms, aortoiliac occlusive disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, mesenteric vascular disease, thoracic outlet syndrome, renovascular disease, vascular access, venous disease. His training also encompassed complex aortic endovascular surgery and advanced methods for critical limb ischemia and limb salvage.

Dr. Abeysekera earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital in New York. He further advanced his training with a vascular surgery fellowship at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Beyond his professional work, Dr. Abeysekera is an avid enthusiast of cars and automotive technology, and he also enjoys traveling. Committed to providing the highest standard of care, Dr. Abeysekera integrates cutting-edge technology with compassionate care to achieve the best outcomes for his patients. He is particularly excited to contribute to the health and well-being of the Hickory community as part of the Catawba Valley Medical Center team.

A native of South Florida, Dr. Dressler completed her vascular surgery training at Case Western/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She holds a Doctor of Medicine with distinction in Research from University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, NY. While in medical school she pursued a vascular surgery research fellowship through NIH funded Clinical Translational Science Award at the Beth Israel Deaconess/Harvard Medical school focusing on diabetic wound healing.

Dr. Dressler’s clinical interest include open and endovascular aneurysms, limb salvage/critical limb ischemia, carotid revascularization and venous disease.

She is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery and American College of Surgeons.

She and her husband Edward consider themselves foodies and enjoy traveling to different cities trying out new cuisine. Her hobbies include cooking and biking.

Dr. Kim is a board-certified vascular surgeon who completed her vascular surgery training at Case Western/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. With extensive experience in a busy hospital-based practice following the training, she specializes in various aspects of vascular surgery involving medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures, and open surgical reconstructions. She is specifically interested in limb salvage for arterial occlusive and aneurysmal diseases, carotid artery revascularization and aortic and iliac artery aneurysmal diseases. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Kim enjoys traveling, reading books and dog rescues whenever her schedule permits.

Jennifer Kahrl is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and has over a decade of professional experience in vascular surgery. Prior to moving to the Hickory area, she worked as a Physician Assistant at Camden-Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg, WV. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Marietta College in Marietta, OH in 1994 and completed the Albany Medical College/Hudson Valley Physician Assistant Program in 1999. She maintains active affiliations with the American Academy of Physician Assistants, American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants and the Society of Vascular Surgeons. As an outdoors family, Jennifer, her husband and two sons, look forward to taking advantage of all the outdoor activities Hickory and the Catawba Valley have to offer.

Jonathan Gross is a North Carolina native who brings his experience working in the Emergency Department to Vascular Surgery. Jonathan and his wife Molly live in Hickory and he’s worked many years at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from East Carolina University, and his Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Elon University. Outside of work, Jonathan is a family man who enjoys completing DIY projects around the house and a good movie.

A Hickory native, Dr. Bools graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. She completed her general surgery internship and residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC, and a clinical fellowship in vascular surgery at University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. She is extensively trained in performing minimally invasive procedures that offer faster recovery time and less discomfort than conventional surgery. A second generation physician, Dr. Bools joins her father serving patients in the Greater Hickory community.