DOCTORS
Theodore A. Lazzaro - Plastic & Reconstructive
Dr. Theodore A. Lazzaro is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and specializes in aesthetic plastic surgical procedures. He graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 1965. Prior to earning his degree, Dr. Lazzaro received a D.M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He completed a three-year residency in oral surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also served as professor of oral surgery. Dr. Lazzaro earned his degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., trained in general surgery at the University of California at San Francisco, and ultimately trained as an aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeon at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. He began private practice in 1979 and founded Aestique® in 1988. In addition, Dr. Lazzaro holds memberships in the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Ohio Valley Society for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Latrobe Academy of Medicine, Lipoplasty Society of North America, Greater Pittsburgh Plastic Surgical Society, Ivy Society and the Northwest Plastic Surgical Society.
Phillip Choo, MD – Oculofacial Surgery
Dr. Phillip H. Choo specializes in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, tear ducts, and the orbit. Dr. Choo is board certified ophthalmologist with specialty training in eyelid surgery. He received his B.A. and M.D degrees from Columbia University. He completed his residency training at the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia, and his fellowship training in oculoplastic surgery at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. He has been named “Best Doctor” by Pittsburgh Magazine. For an appointment, please call (412) 681-4220.
Shawn Echard, DPM – Podiatry
Dr. Shawn Echard is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Podiatry and is the owner of Laurel Podiatry Associates, LLC. He specializes in a variety of treatments for the feet, toes and ankles with special emphasis on diabetic foot care and limb salvage. He received his undergraduate degree from Washington & Jefferson College and his degree from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1994. Dr. Echard obtained his degree and performed his residency at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital. In 1996, Dr. Echard began his private practice with offices now in Greensburg, Somerset and Mt. Pleasant. He is a member of the American Podiatric Association and the Pennsylvania Podiatric Association and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons and of the American Professional Wound Care Association. He is also on the speaker’s bureau for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and performs utilization reviews for several carriers.
Eugene Bonaroti, M.D. – Neurosurgery
Dr. Eugene Bonaroti is certified by the American Board Neurological Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and The Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with a BS degree in Bioengineering in 1986. He went on to graduate cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1991. He completed seven years of surgical training, both internship and residency, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). His practice, Surgical Spine Associates, has offices in Greensburg, Cranberry, Pittsburgh are Irwin.
John Baber, D.O. – Pain Management
Dr. John Baber graduated from LECOM in 2007 and completed graduate medical training in Pain Management at Allegheny Health Network, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UPMC, and Neuromuscular Medicine at Millcreek Hospital. Prior to joining Allegheny Pain Management, he worked as lead attending physician at Allegheny General Hospital. He is Board Certified and has held academic positions including Associate Program Director for the Pain Medicine Fellowship at the Institute for Pain Medicine, and Adjunct Clinical Professor at LECOM. Dr. Baber strives to provide optimal care by helping people manage their pain and improve their functional mobility, and by taking measures to prevent painful injuries from transitioning into long term pain syndromes. He enjoys the diagnostic process and providing people with the most pertinent information so they can make educated treatment decisions.
Lori Cherup, M.D. - Plastic Reconstructive
Dr. Cherup specializes in plastic surgery and is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She earned her medical degree at Columbia University and completed a residency in general Surgery at UPMC. Dr. Cherup then completed a plastic surgery fellowship at University of Chicago hospital. She practices at Radiance at Fluhme Laser Skin & Sculpt in Bridgeville. Dr. Cherup was named a Top Doctor by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2024.
Todd Cindric, DPM, FACFAS – Podiatry
Dr. Todd Cindric is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Podiatry. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and his degree from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 2001. He performed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident from 2003-2004. Dr. Cindric has assisted and performed over 1000 advanced surgical procedures in various specialties including orthopedic, vascular, general, and plastic surgery. He is a member of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association. He is in practice with his wife, Dr. Cherrie Cindric at their office, Westmoreland Foot & Ankle Care LLC with locations in both Greensburg and Irwin.
Jacob DiCesare, DO – Orthopedics
Dr. DiCesare was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, and graduated from Greensburg Central Catholic High School. He has a bachelor degree in Psychology from Pitzer College and a Masters Degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology from Duquesne University, as well as attending medical school at LECOM in Erie, PA.
Dr. Jacob DiCesare was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, and graduated from Greensburg Central Catholic High School. He has a bachelor degree in Psychology from Pitzer College, a Masters Degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology from Duquesne University and went to medical school at LECOM in Erie, PA. He returned to Pittsburgh in 2006 where he completed his residency at UPMC/St Margaret in Medicine and his fellowship at Allegheny Health Network in Sports Medicine. He began his career working 10 years for Excela Health Orthopedics. He owns and operates his own private orthopedic medicine practice in Greensburg, PA. Dr. DiCesare specializes in non-invasive ultrasound guided treatments of joint, tendon, and ligament problems. These treatments include injections, tenex, platelet rich plasma, autologous mesenchymal stem cell, prolotherapy, and shockwave therapy.
James Fernau, M.D. – Plastic Reconstructive
Dr. James Fernau has serviced a 25 year career as both a Medical Director at Accent on Body Cosmetic Surgery, PC and as a licensed physician at numerous hospitals in PA, Ohio, West Virginia and Georgia. Patient safety is his number one priority and he is the former Chairman of Patient Safety for the Aesthetic Society and prior to that, Chairman of Patient Safety for the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Over the past 6 years, he has developed an outstanding reputation for providing cutting edge treatments in cosmetic, plastic & reconstructive surgery. Dr. Fernau’s awards in the field of Plastic Surgery include:
*American Society of Plastic Surgery Certificate of Special Recognition for Community Service and Volunteerism, December 2005
*ASAPS Certificate of Advanced Education in Cosmetic Surgery, 2002-2015
* Winner of the 2019 The Aesthetic Society Hot Topics Award, The Robert Singer Award for Best Hot Topics Presentation
*Aesthetic Society Certificate of Deep Appreciation for Serving as a faculty member of The Aesthetic Society’s Premier Global Hot Topics, November 14, 2020
*The Aesthetic Society Special Award 2020-2021 for Dedication to Member and Patient Safety During COVID-19
He is double board certified in both Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has several fellowships in Aesthetic Surgery. He is also the clinical editor for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Nisha Dhawlikar Gosai, MD – Ophthalmology
Nisha Dhawlikar Gosai MD, MPH joined Glaucoma Cataract Consultants in October of 2023. She was raised in Holmdel, NJ. She graduated with honors from Boston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Minor in Public Health. She then completed medical school at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and concurrently obtained a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA, after which she completed a fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. Dr. Gosais clinical and surgical expertise is in cataracts and corneal diseases such as Fuchs’ dystrophy and keratoconus. She performs complex cataract surgeries and refractive cataract surgery including toric and premium lenses. She also performs partial and full-thickness cornea transplantation surgery including Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK), Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). As a skilled cataract and cornea surgeon, she feels privileged to be able to help restore vision, improving the quality of life of her patients. In her free time, Dr. Gosai enjoys playing tennis, running, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Angela Gauthier, M.D. - Ophthalmology
Angela Gauthier is a board certified ophthalmologist who joined Glaucoma-Cataract Consultants in 2023. She grew up in Maryland and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with an AB in Neuroscience. She went on to receive her medical degree from the Yale School of Medicine. Afterwards, she trained as an ophthalmology resident at The Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, where she also completed a Cornea and External Disease fellowship. Throughout her training, Dr. Gauthier developed a passion for diagnosing and treating conditions related to the lens and cornea. Dr. Gauthier is committed to providing the highest level of care to her patients. She is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in ophthalmology and continuously refining her skills to ensure the best possible outcomes.Dr. Gauthier is on staff at the St. Clair Hospital, Mon Valley Hospital, and Highlands Hospital. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Cornea Society, and the Society of Heed Fellows. Outside of work, Dr. Gauthier enjoys spending time with her husband, writing fiction, singing a cappella, and playing piano.
Kevin Hibbard, MD – Pain Management
Dr. Kevin Hibbard is board certified in anesthesiology and interventional pain management. He is part of the Advanced Pain Medicine group. They specialize in back, neck, shoulder and arm pain. Dr. Hibbard earned his undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in Engineering Science and Mechanics. After receiving his degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the country’s only medical honor society, he completed his residency training in anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.advancedpainmedicine.com/
Matthew JP Lodico, MD – Pain Management
Matthew JP Lodico, MD – Pain Management Dr. Matthew JP LoDico, M.D., is a board certified anesthesiologist and is part of Advanced Pain Medicine Group. Dr. LoDico earned his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and his masters degree studying molecular genetics from the University of North Carolina. He earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School where he was inducted into the AOA honor medical society. He completed his anesthesiology residency in Pittsburgh at UPMC and interventional pain management fellowship at the University of Buffalo.
Valli Muthappan, MD – Ophthalmologist
Dr. Valli Muthappan is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and corneal surgeries. A native of Murrysville, PA, she attended high school at Shady Side Academy. After completing her surgical residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University and fellowship at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah. She returned to the area in 2014 and started her practice, Cataract and Eye Consultants, in 2017. She has performed over 8000 eye surgeries. In her free time, she likes to go running and hiking. She and her husband have three young children who keep them busy as well!
Jerome Peters, MD – Ophthalmology
Dr. Jerome Peters graduated from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Peters specializes in the field of ophthalmology and is prepared to diagnose, treat and perform various types of surgeries for diseases, injuries, or trauma of the eye. Dr. Peters may treat disorders such as glaucoma, corneal tumors, cataracts, retinal disorders, conjunctivitis, astigmatism and ocular tumors, among others.
Julia Polat, MD – Ophthalmology
Julia Polat, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who joined Glaucoma and Cataract Consultants (GCC) in October of 2022. She is a Pittsburgh native and graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School, followed by earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Carnegie Mellon University. She then attended Boston University School of Medicine for her medical degree. Her ophthalmology residency was completed at West Virginia University, after which she conducted a fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Pittsburgh. From 2015 until joining GCC, she was a member of the faculty at UPMC in the Glaucoma and Cataract division and at the VA of Pittsburgh, where she also served as the Residency Program Site Director. Dr. Polat’s clinical and surgical expertise is in glaucoma and cataract surgery. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Ophthalmology Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society, and the Chandler and Grant Glaucoma Society. Outside of work, Dr. Polat enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her three daughters, husband, and miniature schnoodle named Sammi. Her hobbies are to read and travel.
Aaron Wang, M.D. – Ophthalmology
Aaron Wang MD, PhD, is a board certified ophthalmologist who joined Glaucoma Cataract Consultants in 2017. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) with a BS in Bioengineering. He then completed both his MD and PhD degrees at Stanford University School of Medicine. His PhD was in Bioengineering with a focus on medical device development. His training continued with ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and a cornea fellowship at the Shiley Eye Institute at UCSD. He has been honored with numerous awards, including multiple teaching awards and the Heed Ophthalmic Fellowship. Dr. Wang’s clinical and surgical expertise is in cornea and cataract. He sees patients with dry eyes, Fuchs’ dystrophy, and keratoconus and performs routine, complex, and premium cataract surgeries. He enjoys taking time with patients, answering all questions, and making patients feel comfortable with potential surgery. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Ophthalmology Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Society of Heed Fellows.
