Heart Failure Team

Dr. Abbate is a board-certified cardiologist in advanced heart failure who joined Valley in 2014. She received her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College and has been involved in several clinical research trials. Kariann specializes in advanced heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and women’s heart issues. Using a holistic approach to patient care, she sees and treats each patient as an individual and targets treatment to an individual’s needs.

Samit Shah, MD

Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, The Valley Hospital

Dr. Shah is a board-certified cardiologist who joined Valley in 2025. He specializes in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology; pulmonary hypertension; infiltrative disorders, such as cardiac amyloidosis and sarcoidosis; and mechanical support, such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Using a patient-centered approach, he aspires to help patients and their loved ones understand their current situation and help them navigate their options to accomplish their personal goals, while helping them to be empowered and engaged in their personalized treatment plans.

Dr. Shah received his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. He completed a residency in internal medicine at New York University Langone, where he also served as chief resident, a cardiovascular fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a fellowship in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. 

Vera is accredited by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses as a critical care clinical nurse specialist, with more than 33 years of experience in the care of critically ill cardiovascular patients. She has worked specifically with heart failure patients for the past 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and her master’s degree from Rutgers University, as well as a post-master’s nursing certification from Georgetown University. Vera ensures all treatment options are based on the most innovative evidence-based therapies and provides comprehensive, individualized care plans to meet patients’ personal healthcare goals and needs.

Nancy is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. She joined Valley in 2020 and has been a registered nurse since 1998. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from William Paterson University and her master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Nancy has an extensive background as a ventricular assist coordinator, cardiac director, and cardiac transplant coordinator. She also has experience in the development of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) programs and the Shared Caring LVAD program. Nancy has lectured internationally on mechanical circulatory support and is passionate about advanced therapies and the several etiologies of heart failure. She enjoys mentoring and precepting NP students and teaching her patients about their disease process. 

Hugo is a board-certified physician assistant. He joined Valley in 2023. His background includes experience in the care of cardiovascular patients as part of the Interventional Cardiology team at a large NYC hospital. He received his bachelor's degree in Health Science at Mercy University and his master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at Pace University. Hugo’s goal is to provide compassionate and comprehensive care that addresses each of his patient's individual needs and goals. Reducing symptoms, preventing complications, optimizing medications, and educating patients to take an active role in their care. Hugo was born in Peru and he is proficient in Spanish.

Christina Haddad, RN, BSN, CHFN

Heart Failure Nurse

Christina is a registered nurse who has been at Valley since 2005. In the heart failure program, she helps manage patients who are on continuous Inotrope therapy and monitors CardioMEMs patients daily. Christina received her nursing degrees from Bergen Community College and Chamberlain College of Nursing, where she graduated summa cum laude, as well as a medical technology degree from Iona College. Christina has been at the Center for Comprehensive Heart Failure Care since 2013 and became a certified heart failure nurse in 2017.

Erika Bartsch, RN, BSN, CHFN

Heart Failure Nurse

Erika is a certified heart failure nurse who has worked at Valley Hospital for 15 years. Working with the rest of the heart failure team, Erika’s goal is to provide optimal care to keep heart failure patients out of the hospital and feeling well. Erika received her degree in nursing from William Paterson University. Erika first worked in an inpatient cardiac unit before joining Valley’s heart failure program in 2012.

Jessica Stanley, RN, BSN, CHFN

Heart Failure Nurse

Jessica is a certified heart failure nurse who has been a member of the heart failure team since 2022. Jessica has been at Valley since 2018, where she previously worked on an inpatient cardiac unit. Jessica received her nursing degree in 2002 from Pace University and holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Wake Forest University. She has worked in different areas of nursing over the years including hospice, behavioral health, and infusion.

Barbara Picewicz, RN, BSN, PCCN

Heart Failure Nurse, Health Coach

Barbara is a registered nurse with more than 30 years of experience. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Ramapo College, graduating summa cum laude. She also holds a certification in progressive critical care nursing. Over time, Barbara realized that she wanted to do more for her patients, and she became a health coach. She started incorporating the acronym L.E.A.N. in her teachings, which stands for lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutrition. As more and more people around the world grapple with one or more chronic diseases, Barbara knew her patients needed more help improving their overall health, and that medical treatment was simply not enough. Barbara educates and informs patients about simple techniques that they can use every day to develop and maintain a lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise habits, as well as positively impacting and improving their overall health.

Julia Kulpa

Patient Care Associate

Julia is a patient care associate whose goal is to make patients and their families feel at ease at each visit, taking great care to comfort them. Julie has been at Valley for 12 years, starting her career in the step-down cardiac telemetry unit. She is also a trained phlebotomist and telemetry technician. Julia has been with the Center for Comprehensive Heart Failure Care for two years.

Tywhanda “Wanda” O’Connor

Office Coordinator

Wanda has been with Valley since 2012, where she started in one of Valley’s cardiac units. In 2017, she joined The Center for Comprehensive Heart Failure Care as a patient care associate. She then took on the role of office coordinator in 2018. Wanda takes care of scheduling patients, collecting data, and more.