Board Members
Donald R. Westerhausen, Jr., MD
President
With a continued passion for research-based care, Dr. Westerhausen has been honored to serve on the Board of the Foundation since its founding. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education-Biology from Northwestern University, where he was a part of the football team. Dr. Westerhausen earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota. He completed training in internal medicine at the University of Texas-Southwestern at Dallas/Parkland Memorial Hospital and his fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Washington University-St. Louis/Barnes Hospital. Dr. Westerhausen went on to complete his Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Mid-America Heart Institutes in Kansas City, MO. Don has served as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the IU School of Medicine - South Bend since 2012, and he has mentored medical students regularly in his medical practice over the course of his career. Dr. Westerhausen is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, where he served as President in 2019. In 2021, he won the Excellence in Advocacy Award from the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Westerhausen has been a continued leader in bringing the latest innovation and technology to our area to care for our cardiovascular patients.
William Sarnat, M.D.
Vice-President
Dr. Sarnat, M.D. has been a longstanding board member of the Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation, joining in 2005. He attended medical school at Wayne State University School Of Medicine and completed his residencies in internal medicine at Michael Reese hospital in Chicago, IL and cardiology at the University of Iowa. He was board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine Certification in Internal Medicine and American Board of Cardiovascular Disease Certification in Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Sarnat also served two years in the Navy, practicing general medicine at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland during the Vietnam War. He began practicing in the Michiana area in 1977. Alongside his longtime partner, Dr. Paul Howard, he built a cardiology program that covered much of the Michiana area. In 2015, he received the Blessed Basil Moreau Award for dedication to service and healing from St. Joseph Medical System. Dr. Sarnat was an adjunct professor at the IU School of Medicine, where he received the Outstanding Physician of the Year Award in 2019. He continues to mentor sophomore and junior medical students. Dr. Sarnat led the effort to initiate CPR training of thousands of local 8th grade students in an effort to increase survival rates from cardiac arrest. For these efforts, he received the Key to the City of South Bend from Mayor Pete Buttigieg in 2020. He was also a dedicated volunteer in the COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
Charles Mathis, M.D.
Treasurer
Dr. Mathis joined the board of the Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation in 2007. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Southwestern Indiana, Dr. Mathis earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. He served as a resident in internal medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. His research activities from that time include numerous studies and comparisons assessing the effectiveness of particular medications to treat various cardiovascular conditions including acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation. He has continued this passion in clinical research, serving as the site primary investigator for many of the Foundation’s clinical trials. Dr. Mathis is an active member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology and the Indiana State Medical Association. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology. Dr. Mathis is an invasive cardiologist with specific interests in nuclear cardiology and echocardiography.
Ann Rathburn-Lacopo
Secretary
Ann Rathburn-Lacopo joined 1st Source with nearly 30 years of industry experience in 2020. Ann’s expertise is in serving high net worth clients and private and family foundations. Her previous capacities include Advancement Officer and Director of Foundation Relations at the University of Notre Dame, Chief Development Officer at Indiana University School of Medicine, Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Saint Joseph Health System and Associate Vice President at Key Private Bank. Her specialty is working closely with clients to build and preserve wealth and leave a meaningful legacy. She is certified as an Advanced Care Planner. Ann is a Notre Dame alum.
As a community leader, Ann enjoys giving back and getting personally involved with non-profit organizations such as the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley, YWCA of North Central Indiana, Center for the Homeless, and Center for Hospice Care. She currently serves on the Board of the Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation and on the University of Notre Dame’s Friends Board of the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art.
Vijay Mehta, M.D.
Board Member
Dr. Mehta has proudly served the Foundation Board of Directors since 2016. Dr. Mehta earned his medical degree from the Maharajo Sayajirao University of Baroda. After completing his residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Mehta served a fellowship in cardiology at Stroger Hospital of Cook County. He is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Mehta is also board certified in Nuclear Cardiology and Echocardiography. He is an active member of the American College of Cardiology and the Indiana State Medical Association. Dr. Mehta is a noninterventional cardiologist, specializing in areas such as diagnostics, heart failure, and prevention. He is passionate about clinical research and serves as the site primary investigator for many of the clinical trials performed locally by the Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation.
Troy Weirick, M.D.
Board Member
Dr. Weirick joined the Foundation Board in 2013. A native of the Culver, Indiana area, Dr. Weirick received his engineering degree from Purdue University followed by his medical degree from Southern Illinois Medical School. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at Kent State University. Pursuing his interest in cardiology, he graduated from the University of Texas cardiology and interventional cardiology program. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Weirick has grown the Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program at Elkhart General Hospital and also performs Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). He also diagnoses, treats and manages complex peripheral vascular disease. Dr. Weirick has served as the primary investigator for numerous trials with the Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation.
Jennifer Pierce, MSN, BSN RN
Board Member
Jenny Pierce, RN, MSN received her nursing degree in 1997 and completed her master degree in nursing/administration from Ferris State University in 2009, graduating with highest distinction. Jenny has worked with Beacon Health System for the last 27 years and has had leadership positions at Memorial Hospital, Elkhart General Hospital and with Beacon Medical Group. Jenny is currently serving in the role of Director, Operations for Three Rivers Medical Group.