VIR Chicago

Quinn Thalheimer is a Physician Assistant working alongside the physicians of VIR. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Health Sciences, and a minor in psychology. He holds a Paramedic degree from AS School of Medicine. He graduated from the physician assistant program at Midwestern University. Quinn’s experience includes work as a physical therapy assistant, and a tour as an EMT-paramedic. He is certified in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. He holds an Illinois Physician Assistant license, and works closely with our doctors in providing the highest level of patient care.

Kara Ozog received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After graduation, she spent two years working in a research lab focusing on prevention and treatment of cerebral palsy. She went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2005 at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. Kara has worked in Interventional Radiology since that time, and joined our practice in 2014. Kara is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). She is a licensed Physician Assistant in Illinois. She holds certifications in basic life support and advanced cardiac … Continue reading Kara Ozog →

VIR Chicago consists of eight Interventional Radiologist specialists experienced in interventional radiology in the Chicago area over 25 years.

Dr. Athanasatos completed his medical school training at the Chicago Medical School. He completed his residency training at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center followed by an interventional radiology fellowship at the University of Illinois OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic/Interventional Radiology. He is a member of the RSNA, SIR, ACR, and ARRS. Dr. Athanasatos performs a variety of interventional radiology procedures, but has a special interest in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Dr. Alex Heaton received his medical degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. He completed his residency training in diagnostic radiology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC where he served as Chief Resident. This was followed by fellowship training in interventional radiology at the same institution. He is also fellowship trained in neuroradiology through the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Dr. Heaton is a member of the Society of Interventional Radiology. Dr. Heaton holds special interests in minimally invasive procedures to treat cancer, uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, as well as portal hypertension in the setting of advanced liver disease. … Continue reading Alex Heaton →

Dr. Daniel Schmelka graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa School of Medicine in 1993. In 1999, he completed his general Diagnostic Radiology Residency and Interventional Radiology Fellowship at the University of Illinois Chicago Hospital System. Dr. Schmelka performs a wide variety of interventional radiology procedures, but has a special interest and background in the treatment of peripheral venous disease. He is focused on multiple modality treatment of varicose veins, venous stasis disease, resulting in chronic lower extremity discomfort, and poorly healing stasis ulcers. He is board certified in Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology.

Dr Behrens trained in diagnostic radiology at the University of Caracas, in his home country of Venezuela. He completed a surgery internship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, then a year of fellowship in interventional radiology at Rush. He is Board certified in radiology by the ABR. Dr Behrens is trained in interventional oncology (image guided treatment of cancer), and has a particular interest in non-surgical treatment of liver disease. He has done research in non-surgical treatment of portal hypertension during his fellowship. He has been the author of numerous research papers and book chapters on liver disease, arterial disease, and venous conditions.

Dr. Michael Sichlau is a board-certified interventional radiologist, who has been in practice since 1999. He has worked with thousands of patients with a wide variety of conditions that can be treated with Interventional Radiology. Dr. Sichlau has authored numerous publications and lectures, and he regularly trains other physicians in various Interventional Radiology techniques. Dr. Sichlau received his MD degree from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1994, and completed his diagnostic radiology residency at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Northwestern University. He is board-certified in diagnostic radiology, and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in … Continue reading Michael Sichlau →

Dr. Facchini is a board-certified physician in Interventional Radiology Dr. Facchini received his medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. He completed an internship in surgery at the University of Chicago. He completed residency training followed by a fellowship in interventional radiology at Northwestern University. He is certified by the American Board of Radiology, and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Interventional Radiology.… Continue reading Frank Facchini →

Dr. Vlahos completed his medical school training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Illinois. He completed his Radiology residency training and his interventional radiology training at the University of Illinois OSF Saint Francis Medical center in Peoria, Illinois. He is a member of the society of Interventional Radiology, the Radiologic Society of North America, and the American College of Radiology. Dr Vlahos is board-certified in diagnostic radiology, and vascular and interventional radiology. His special areas of interest include minimally invasive treatment of peripheral arterial disease, treatment of cosmetic and medical (painful) varicose vein disease, and interventional oncology (minimally invasive cancer treatment). He has participated in scientific … Continue reading Athanasios Vlahos →