The doctors at Empire Vein Specialists are committed to your long-term well-being. They will provide you with high quality, prompt, comprehensive, personalized, and proven vein care so you can return to a better quality of life.
Dr. Son Ha Yu, a board-certified general and vascular surgeon, was born in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Yu has over a decade of vein treatment experience. In addition to his work at Desert Vein & Vascular Institute, Dr. Yu is on staff at Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital. Dr. Yu came to the valley in 2007 upon completing his vascular surgery fellowship. He lives in Palm Desert with his wife and two children. Dr. Yu works hard to exceed the high expectations you have of a top-tier surgeon. By accepting nothing but high-quality, precise work from himself and his staff, Dr. Yu helps define Desert Vein and Vascular Institute as the top location in the Coachella Valley for vein treatment. In his spare time, Dr. Yu enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.
The American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery. General Surgery Resident Training at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Scripps Clinic/ University of California San Diego.
Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital
Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, Member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
Dr. Pushpinder Sivia was born in Oakland, California. He is board-certified in vascular surgery and moved to the Palm Springs area in 2012. Dr. Sivia treats disorders of circulation as well as venous disease. He has been a presenter at national vascular conferences and has published articles in medical journals about vascular disease. Upon completing his fellowship in vascular surgery in 2012, together with Dr. Yu, formed Desert Vein and Vascular Institute. He and his wife live with their two daughters in Rancho Mirage.
The American Board of Surgery specializing in Vascular Surgery. General Surgery and Vascular Surgery Resident at SUNY Upstate Medical Center. Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the University of South Florida.
Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital
American Medical Association, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons and Society for Vascular Surgery
Dr. Nina Grewal and her team are committed to helping patients suffering from the effects of varicose veins enjoy a better quality of life.
Dr. Grewal grew up in the Pacific Northwest and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington before completing medical school at the University of Utah. After completing her General Surgery and Vascular Surgery training, Dr. Grewal began practice in Orange County in 2010. Since that time, she has focused her practice on the evaluation and treatment of venous disease and has performed over a thousand vein procedures to date.
Dr. Grewal joined the practice in 2016 and helped form Empire Vein Specialists. In her free time, Dr. Grewal enjoys spending time with her family, running, mountain climbing, and yoga.
General Surgery by American Board of Surgery, May 2009 and Vascular Surgery by American Board of Surgery, May 2011
Dr. John Lee is a board-certified general and vascular surgeon. Upon completing his vascular surgery fellowship, Dr. Lee joined Desert Vein and Vascular Institute in 2015. He was born in Seoul, South Korea. He graduated from medical school with high honors before specializing in vascular surgery. Dr. Lee chose this route because of the strong compassion he feels for patients with vascular diseases. In addition to his medical training, Dr. Lee has published articles in multiple national journals and presented research before vascular associations. When away from the office, he enjoys surfing and snowboarding, as well as watching movies. Now residing in Rancho Mirage with his wife and two children, Dr. Lee treats all of his patients like family and calls Palm Springs his home.
The American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery. General Surgery Resident training at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Medical Center in Pontiac, MI. Vascular Surgery Fellowship at the Jobst Vascular Institute.
Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital
Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, American Medical Association, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society and Society for Vascular Surgery
Dr. Trevor DerDerian is a board-certified surgeon who grew up on the Gulf Coast in Tarpon Springs, Florida and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Miami. After finishing his general surgery training in New York City, Dr. DerDerian went on to specialize in Vascular and Endovascular surgery at West Virginia University. He has written numerous peer reviewed articles and presented his work at national conferences. Dr. DerDerian has a passion to bring comprehensive, cutting edge and minimally invasive vascular services to the East Valley. Dr. DerDerian resides with his family in the beautiful city of La Quinta and enjoys the outdoors, surfing, snowboarding and his newfound hobby of pickleball.
The American Board of Surgery in General Surgery, Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation, General Surgery Residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY and Vascular Surgery Fellowship at West Virginia University in Charleston, WV
JFK Memorial Hospital and Eisenhower Medical Center
American College of Surgeons, Society of Vascular Surgery, Southern Vascular Society, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society and American Medical Association
Dr. Kush Sharma is a vascular surgeon who grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. He was part of the inaugural medical school class at Central Michigan University and went on to complete an integrated vascular surgery residency at Spectrum Health/Michigan State University College of Medicine in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During his training, he wrote several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He was invited to present at numerous national and international conferences.
Dr. Sharma has a special interest in performing minimally invasive procedures to allow for the fastest recovery of his patients. His priority is to treat all his patients like they are part of his family. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, tennis, and traveling. He and his wife live in Palm Springs.
Society for Vascular Surgery
Dr. Bertrand Janne d’Othée is a board-certified interventional radiologist with over 20 years of experience. Originating from the French-speaking southern region of Belgium, he earned his Doctor of Medicine and completed his Residency in Radiology at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Brussels. After moving to the East Coast of the United States in 2000, he worked as an Interventional Radiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he also was Director of the Varicose Veins Program, and in the University of Maryland Medical System, before becoming the Chief of Interventional Radiology at Baystate Health. He has held faculty positions at Harvard Medical School, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and lastly as a full Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Throughout his career, Dr. Janne d’Othée has written over 160 publications, including more than 60 peer-reviewed articles. He also received his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Janne d’Othée and his wife have four children and tremendously enjoy the many opportunities Southern California offers, including running, beach activities, skiing, and more, and he speaks Spanish fluently.
The American Board of Radiology in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology. General Radiology Resident training at Université Catholique de Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. Interventional Radiology Fellowship at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse in Toulouse, France.
Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology, Fellow of the Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Fellow of the Society of Interventional Radiology, Member of the European Society of Radiology, Member of the Radiological Society of North America, Member of the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies, Member of the American Association for Physician Leadership, Member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Dr. Kimberly C. McFarland is board-certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. McFarland completed undergraduate studies at the University of California Los Angeles and pursued medical studies at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara where she also enhanced her Spanish language fluency. Dr. McFarland attended the New York Medical College Pre-Internship Program at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island and then completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Dr. McFarland began practicing vascular and interventional radiology at USA Vein Clinics in various locations throughout New York City. Upon returning to her native California, Dr. McFarland continued vascular and interventional radiology at Kern Radiology in Bakersfield.
Dr. McFarland leads the Empire Vein Specialists team in Temecula in passionate pursuit of helping patients live more productive, pain-free lives through non-invasive outpatient treatments. She is a diehard UCLA Bruins sports fan and enjoys the outdoors and playing dinosaurs with her toddler.
The American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine, Eligible for Board Certification from The American Board of Radiology
Society Interventional Radiology, American College of Radiology, Medical Society of the State of New York
Dr. George T. Pisimisis has over 20 years of experience in vascular and general surgery, most recently as an Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery in the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery department at The University of Texas.
After earning his medical degree at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), he served various fellowships at medical centers including Baylor College of Medicine, UNMC, and Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Pisimisis has an extensive academic background including Medical Director of the Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair Program at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, medical director of the Vascular Ultrasound lab at Baylor College of Medicine, and Associate Professor in Interventional Radiology at The University of Texas. The doctor has been active on several committees including Acute Critical Care at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Pelvic Sarcoma Center of Excellence.
The doctor has been recognized with numerous esteemed honors and awards. The University of Nebraska named him Outstanding Surgery Resident, while UT MD Anderson Cancer Center ranked him in the 2018 Top 1% physician performers. While attending National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dr. Pisimisis received honors for ranking in the top 5% of his class. Mayo Clinic awarded Dr. Pisimisis with the Clinical Research Excellence Award, in the Division of Vascular surgery.
With over 40 peer reviewed research articles and supervision of more than 90 residents and fellowship mentees, Dr. Pisimisis has significantly contributed to the professional development of young surgeons and the medical community.
EVS is excited to welcome Dr. Pisimisis to the Fullerton team and see the amazing work he does for our patients.
Medical degree at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece). Fellowships at several medical centers including Baylor College of Medicine, UNMC, and Mayo Clinic.
Baylor College of Medicine, UNMC, Mayo Clinic, The University of Texas, and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Active on several committees including Acute Critical Care at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Pelvic Sarcoma Center of Excellence.
Dr. Omar Z. Tahir joins our team of vascular physicians, having recently practiced in the Greater Chicago area and later Quincy, Illinois for many years. His medical background includes experiences in Family Medicine and General Surgery, prior to a Fellowship in Vascular Surgery and a shift toward a vascular specialty in 2015.
The doctor earned his medical degree at Charles University in Prague, one of Europe’s oldest universities and most picturesque campuses. He also enjoyed a Residency with the University of Kansas Medical Center and a Fellowship in their Burn and Wound unit in the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Previously, Dr. Tahir completed postgraduate studies at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He completed his Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago.
Dr. Tahir recently made his way West, following years of practice throughout the Midwest and study abroad. The Empire Vein team is pleased to welcome him into the Victorville office.
Medical degree at Charles University in Prague, one of Europe’s oldest universities. Residency with the University of Kansas Medical Center. Fellowship in their Burn and Wound unit in the Department of Plastic Surgery. Fellowship in Vascular Surgery at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago.
Dr. John York is committed to bettering the lives of people who suffer from varicose veins. A board-certified Interventional and Diagnostic Radiologist, with over two decades of practice, he is excited to be a member of the Empire Vein Specialists team.
Dr. York completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Naval Academy, first serving his country in Naval Aviation before completing medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. He then completed his residency and fellowship training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and hit the ground running. Since then, Dr. York has spent almost 20 years practicing Vascular and Interventional Radiology, serving a variety of institutions from large military hospitals, to combat hospitals, to outpatient vascular access centers. A constant theme in his career has been his laser-like focus on doing what is best for the patient.
Over the years, Dr. York has become a member of many esteemed organizations, such as the Society of Interventional Radiology, and the Western Angiographic and Interventional Society. While in medical school, he was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Additionally, he has published over a dozen academic peer-reviewed articles and received numerous military honors for his performance in leadership positions on the Board of Directors and as the Executive Officer at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, and as the Officer in Charge of the Expeditionary Medical Facility in Djibouti, Africa.
Dr. York joined Empire Vein Specialists in 2022 and is the head practitioner at the Chula Vista office. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, hiking, volunteering at the local animal shelter, and spending time with his family.
Board-certified Interventional and Diagnostic Radiologist. Undergraduate studies at the United States Naval Academy. Medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Residency and fellowship training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Executive Officer at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia. Officer in Charge of the Expeditionary Medical Facility in Djibouti, Africa.
Society of Interventional Radiology, Western Angiographic and Interventional Society, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
The San Diego-native joined Empire Vein Specialists in 2019 where she now manages and treats patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency. Jessica specializes in ambulatory surgical phlebectomy and sclerotherapy. While in graduate school, she worked at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center, where she focused primarily on Critical Care.
Education:
Mater of Science in Nursing/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner/Acute-Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist: San Diego University, 2019
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: San Diego State University, 2010
Prior to joining Empire Vein Specialists, Brianne served as a Clinical Instructor at Azusa Pacific University and was an ICU nurse at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Anaheim. She is a passionate advocate for advancing global health and has traveled on missions across the world, providing medical and dental care to patients in underdeveloped areas.
Education:
Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner, United States University, 2019
Bachelor of Science, Registered Nurse, Loma Lind University, 2016
Bachelor of Science, Public Health, California State University - Fullerton, 2013
RVT, RDMS
Ultrasound Technologist, RVT
RVT
Patient Coordinator
Michelle comes to Empire Vein Specialists with more than thirteen years of healthcare experience including business development management, physician relations management and laboratory services management. Michelle achieved her Bachelor of Science in Communications and is currently studying to obtain a Master’s Degree in Health Administration. Michelle is also a community leader who has completed more than 200 hours of community service for the City of Beaumont, advocates for local small businesses, provides community outreach and support for the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, and hosts community healthcare events and health-related charity affairs.
Bonnie joins Empire Vein Specialists with a strong background in business development and marketing with more than five years of progressing positions in the healthcare industry and a strong background of building relationships with physicians, nurses, case managers, and patients. Her medical career began in a fast-paced emergency room setting, and from there she moved to a post-acute facility, providing a full view of the patient experience from diagnosis to recovery with full responsibility of increasing occupancy and community relations. Bonnie is a Southern California native with roots from the High Desert, Antelope Valley, and Inland Empire. She enjoys family, Disney, snowboarding, camping, hiking, and travel. Bonnie looks forward to helping expand awareness of the beneficial services provided by Empire Vein Specialists.
The quality and effectiveness of any vascular or vein procedure is largely dependent upon the standards of the vascular lab and expertise of its technologists. READ MORE
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