PINNACLE HOSPITAL - Key Persons
After completing her Residency and Fellowship training at Loyola University, Dr. Shareef was employed by the Hammond Clinic for five years. Upon leaving Northwest Indiana she served as the Medical Director of the Neurology and Stroke Program at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana where she helped to build the neurology program into a regional transfer center. Dr. Shareef has returned to Northwest Indiana to concentrate on building her own practice.
Job Titles:
- Board Certified General Surgeon
Dr. Favor is a Board Certified general surgeon who specializes in endoscopic procedures, although his knowledge and expertise have a much broader range. He performs haital hernias, cholecysterectomies (gallbladder) and Lap-Band adjustable horizontal gastric banding through a scope, eliminating the large incisions usually associated with these procedures. With this approach, recovery time is quicker and complications are less likely.
Specializing in the field of Cardiology, Dr. Malik is prepared to provide specialized care for the heart and cardiovascular system in patients. Some of the conditions treated by Dr. Malik may include high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, complications of diabetes, heart disease and defects, general chest pains, and other cardiovascular conditions.
Dr. Brechner is the owner and a practicing physician of Winfield Family Medicine. He is also the medical director of the Women's Center of NWI. Dr. Brechner goes on regular missions trips and provides disaster relief efforts, such as in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He is an Urgent Care Physician at Pinnacle Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and Porter Regional Medical Center.
Job Titles:
- Certified and Fellowship - Trained Orthopedic Surgeon
- Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Daniel Weber is a board certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in primary, complex, and revision total hip and knee replacements as well as arthroscopic surgery.
Dr. Weber has considerable experience in minimally invasive approaches to hip and knee surgery, including partial knee replacement/resurfacing and direct anterior approach hip replacement. He also specializes in outpatient hip and knee replacements. Dr. Weber has one of the busiest joint replacement and arthroscopic surgical practices in the south suburbs, an indicator of the quality of care he provides to each of his patients.
Dr. Weber has an excellent educational background and extensive training. He completed his undergraduate degree with high honors at the University of Notre Dame, and was awarded a medical degree with distinction at Northwestern University. While at Northwestern University, he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, a society in which members are selected based on scholastic achievement and leadership. Dr. Weber then went on to complete an internship and orthopedic surgery residency in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Michigan Hospitals. He also completed a fellowship in hip and knee reconstruction at the University of Florida Shands Medical Center.
Job Titles:
- Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
- Member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Denis Nam is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee reconstruction, replacement, revision, partial knee replacement, and minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Nam received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and pre-medicine from Yale University, New Haven, CT and his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. He went on to complete his residency and adult reconstruction and joint replacement fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY. He then completed a Master's of Science degree in Clinical Research and Investigation while at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters. Throughout his career, Dr. Nam has received numerous honors and awards including in 2013: Hospital for Special Surgery Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Clinical Excellence Award; Philip D. Wilson, MD Award for Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery Research; International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty HAP Paul Award; 2014: ORS/OREF Travel Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society; Washington University Clinician Research and Training Center Outstanding Citizenship Award; 2015: Mark Coventry Award from the Knee Society; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting Best Poster Award; 2016: Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation/Current Concepts in Joint Replacement Clinical Practice Award; Best Paper Award at the Annual Meeting of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society, and 2018: James A. Rand Young Investigator's Award from the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and many others.
Dr. Nam is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Nam has also been appointed a member of the AAOS Hip, Knee, & Adult Reconstruction Evaluation Committee, the AAOS Adult Reconstruction Knee Program Committee and a member of the International Congress for Joint Reconstruction Digital Media Committee. Dr. Nam is a member of both the Knee Society and Hip Society and was accepted during his first year eligible for both memberships. These are both prestigious, members-only organizations with a national and international membership of approximately 100 surgeons recognized for their contributions to advancing the field of total joint arthroplasty. Most recently, Dr. Nam was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
Dr. Nam has a special interest in robotic-assisted total joint replacement and clinical outcomes research following hip and knee arthroplasty with prior investigations focusing on thromboembolism prophylaxis following joint replacement and the implementation of new technologies and surgical techniques in total knee arthroplasty. Outside the hospital, he enjoys spending time with his wife Anna and children (Henry, Alice, and Theodore) and playing ice hockey and the guitar.
Job Titles:
- Certified and Fellowship - Trained Orthopedic Surgeon
- Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Edward Joy is a board certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery and reconstruction, including rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, sports injury treatment, and fracture care. He believes in treating each patient as an individual, listening to their needs and concerns and developing customized treatment plans to help improve their quality of life.
Dr. Joy received fellowship training in shoulder and elbow surgery at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. Previously, he completed an internship and residency at Southern Illinois School of Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Joy earned his medical degree at Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago School of Medicine, and received his undergraduate degree from the Northern Illinois University. Dr Joy recently passed the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Recertification Examination in Shoulder & Elbow Surgery. This recertification is valid through 2030. Dr. Joy has been elected as a Candidate Member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society.
Dr. Joy has treated athletes at the high school and college level. He has served as a team physician for several high schools throughout the southwest suburbs. Currently, he serves as the Physician Advisor for the Vikings Youth Hockey Club, and has 4 children who are active in sports, such as hockey, lacrosse and golf. Dr. Joy competes in sporting clays and is a member of the National Sporting Clays Association.
Dr. Jeffrey Borders is a Board Certified Surgeon, specializing in Peripheral Vascular Surgery. He has been in private practice in Indiana since 2004. Dr Borders is part of Total Vein Solutions, PC with an expertise in the minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins, using the latest and most effective methods such as radiofrequency and VenaSeal glue ablation. In addition, Dr. Borders offers a full-scale, Non-Invasive Vascular Lab with Registered Vascular Techs (RVTs) doing extremity arterial and venous ultrasounds, Ankle/Brachial Indices, as well as carotid artery and aortic aneurysm imaging. Dr. Borders is a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) and reads all studies providing an official report to the referring provider, making vascular evaluation of patients timely and convenient.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nick Nenadovich is fellowship-trained in spine surgery and joined Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute in 2006. Dr. Nenadovich offers nonoperative and minimally invasive operative treatment approaches for degenerative, traumatic, and pathologic conditions of the neck, back, and spine, including artificial disc replacement of the cervical and lumbar spine. Dr. Nenadovich works closely with his patients to develop evidence-based, individualized treatment plans to resolve their pain and return their quality of life.
Dr. Nenadovich received his undergraduate education in microbiology and cell science from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. He attended Chicago Medical School in North Chicago, Illinois, to earn his medical degree and went on to complete orthopedic surgery residency training at The University of Chicago Hospitals. In Syracuse, New York, Dr. Nenadovich underwent additional training through a spinal surgery fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Nenadovich enjoys staying active. He plays golf, goes skiing, and also enjoys tennis.
Dr. Nenadovich is available to see patients at our Chesterton, Crown Point, and Portage offices.
Dr. Omar Barakat is a board certified, Interventional Radiologist and Vein Specialist with an expertise in minimally invasive procedures. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Radiology and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Barakat is both certified in Vascular and Interventional Radiology, as well as Diagnostic Radiology. He is a member of the Society of Interventional Radiology, American College of Radiology, and the Radiological Society of North America. Dr. Barakat has been involved in Radiology research over the last 10 years and has co-authored several articles on Interventional Oncology, especially regarding loco regional therapies for primary and secondary malignancies involving the liver. He has also been featured in publications such as the Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology, highlighting his work on the Venous System and Non-Vascular Intervention. Dr. Barakat is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology and Imaging Science at Indiana University School of Medicine Northwest.
Job Titles:
- Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine
Dr. Bayer is fellowship-trained in sports medicine with specialization in arthroscopic procedures of the knee, including ACL reconstruction and patellar instability, as well as arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder, including rotator cuff repair and labral repair procedures. She also has a special interest in knee and hip joint replacement surgery. Dr. Bayer provides comprehensive orthopedic care for children and adults who sustain fractures as well as accidental, sports related, and chronic injuries.
Job Titles:
- Founder, President and CEO of Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine
Dr. Pitchford is founder, president and CEO of Great Lakes Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, P.C. In addition to his private practice as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Pitchford is Adjunct Assistant Professor for Orthopedic Surgery at Midwestern University and team physician for the Gary SouthShore Railcats and the Chi-Town Shooters. He completed a sports medicine fellowship with renowned surgeon Dr. Bernard Cahill at the University of Illinois, before accepting a position as staff orthopedic surgeon at Sports Med-Wheaton Orthopedics, during which time he was orthopedic consultant to the Illinois High School Association. In addition to his ongoing orthopedic lectures to residents at Midwestern University, Dr. Pitchford has written numerous papers and has been the featured speaker at seminars on the topic of sports medicine, treatments & injury prevention.
Dr. Ham is dedicated to serving his patients in Northwest Indiana by providing them with the best options, both surgically and non-surgically, available today. He has extensive experience in diverse areas of orthopedic surgery including general orthopedics, joint replacements, minimally invasive surgery, upper and lower extremity surgery and sports medicine. He also performs independent medical examinations and treats workers' compensation patients.
throughout his undergraduate and graduate education, regularly achieved Honors. He also attended medical mission trips to Honduras and Puerto Rico. He has published articles and chapters on complex hip and shoulder disorders in numerous orthopedic journals and textbooks, including the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the Journal of Orthopedic Research. During his fellowship and residency program, he gained valuable experience in Sports Medicine and assisted in athletic team medical coverage at the professional level, college level and high school level, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, University of Michigan basketball and hockey, and Northwestern football. Dr. Knesek is a Midwest native and avid sports fan.
Job Titles:
- Foot and Ankle Specialist
Dr. Nirenberg is a Board Certified podiatric physician and surgeon with over 25 years of experience in private practice. He is an active researcher and one of a few forensic podiatrists in the U.S. His long career of dedicated public service has included work as a podiatric surgical residency instructor to new podiatrists, lectures to the public on foot issues, and assisting law enforcement, including the FBI, with criminal investigations involving foot and gait evidence. Dr. Nirenberg's forensic analysis of footwear and footprints has helped convict suspects of murder.
Dr. Nirenberg has published in numerous scientific journals, lectured extensively, and can solve most any heel, toe, foot or ankle problem. He has been voted "Best Podiatrist" by readers of the Post-Tribune a record eight times and won the NWI Times "Best of the Region" award also eight times. Dr. Nirenberg is located three minutes away from Pinnacle Hospital one block south of 93rd street on Broadway, with office hours Monday through Saturday.
Dr. Shah is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, a specialty within orthopaedic surgery that treats injuries to bones, joints, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and muscles. Dr. Shah is also one of the few orthopaedic surgeons in the area with subspecialty board certification in sports medicine. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques and arthroscopy to treat complex injuries of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.
Dr. Shah's extensive training and experience includes caring for athletes, weekend warriors, injured workers and treating common orthopaedic problems ranging from pediatric injuries to fractures and other injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This expertise, combined with his philosophy of personalized care, allows him to develop the most appropriate plan of treatment-either surgical or nonsurgical-based on the needs, goals and desires of each individual. His patients include little league, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, as well as the injured worker (workman's compensation) and weekend warriors-all receiving the same expert level of care.
During his fellowship at The Methodist Hospital and Baylor Clinic in Houston, Texas, Dr. Shah trained with physicians whose advice and treatment was sought by athletes from across North America. He was a team physician for the Houston Astros Major League Baseball team, accompanying the team for spring training. Dr. Shah was also a team physician with the Houston Texans NFL team, the Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer team, University of Houston athletic teams, and several Houston area high school football teams. He trained with team doctors for the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Fire, and Northwestern University athletic teams while in residency at Northwestern University.
Dr. Shah's personal involvement in numerous sports medicine activities includes coverage of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, the NBA pre-draft camp and the Joffrey Ballet, as well as performing athletic physicals and football game physician coverage for Chicago Public Schools. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. Dr. Shah is an associate master instructor for the Arthroscopy Association of North America.
Dr. Shah keeps extra hours and a streamlined process for getting injured athletes into his office on a same-day basis, including Athlete Injury Clinics on Saturdays and throughout the week. Dr. Shah keeps a rapid and open communication line with all of the area high school and college athletic trainers.
Dr. Shah is considered an expert by his peers and has lectured nationally and internationally on the topic of shoulder and knee injuries. He is also published in multiple peer review journals in orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Shah is a clinical instructor for the University of Illinois College of Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery department, where he helps train and educate future orthopaedic surgeons that are currently in training. Additionally, Dr. Shah has helped to develop newer minimally invasive techniques for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and has lectured and taught other orthopaedic surgeons around the country these new techniques that lead to better outcomes and less pain. Dr. Shah is also an inventor and innovator with patents in the area of cartilage repair and regeneration. On this note, Dr. Shah is currently a consultant to the Northwestern University Department of Materials and Science and Engineering at the Institute for Bionanomedicine where he consults for the leading engineers and scientists in the world on clinical translation of innovative nanotechnology and additive manufacturing (3D Printing) of biomaterials and how they can be instituted to improve patient outcomes and revolutionize medicine.
Since coming to southwest suburban Chicago, Dr. Shah has become heavily involved in treating athletes at Trinity Christian College, as well as from area high schools including Marist, Tinley Park, Shephard, Sandburg, Brother Rice, St. Rita, Providence, St. Ignatius, and many others. He has developed a close working relationship with all of the area's athletic trainers, which allows for coordinated care of the athletes he treats.
Dr. Shah also treats many injured workers. Dr. Shah gives multiple lectures throughout the Chicagoland area to case managers, workers' compensation adjustors, and physical therapists. Dr. Shah takes extra effort to coordinate the injured workers care with the case manager, adjustor, attorneys, and therapists to provide a safe, efficient and successful return to work plan with minimally invasive operative and non-operative treatment modalities.
Dr. Shah is currently accepting new patients in our Palos Heights office location.