Vascular Surgery Integrated Residents

Mark Awad, M.D.

Chief resident

Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Medical school: St. George's University School of Medicine
Undergraduate school: Fordham University

Mark Awad is a New York native who was drawn to vascular surgery for its blend of technological advancements and longitudinal patient care. He finds great satisfaction in creating educational videos for surgical demonstrations and complex endovascular peripheral arterial disease treatment. 

Outside of his medical pursuits, Awad is actively working towards his pilot's license and indulges his passion for cooking. 

Pavitra Ravishankar, M.D.

Hometown: Fremont, California
Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Undergraduate school: University of California, Davis

Pavitra Ravishankar first found vascular surgery as a second-year medical student looking for a free dinner by signing up for a TEVAR simulation workshop. She was immediately hooked. These days, her passion for free pizza has since waned but her love of vascular surgery remains. She was drawn to vascular surgery for the wide diversity in day-to-day cases and the ability to work with an often-underserved patient population. Since joining, her favorite thing about SLU has been the incredible program culture and comradery between trainees.

In her free time, Ravishankar enjoys cooking and reading sci-fi and fantasy books. She has an unhealthy obsession with loose-leaf tea and plays in a local soccer league.

Michael Carey, M.D.

Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
Medical school: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Undergraduate school: University of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering

Michael Carey's background is in petroleum engineering and fluid dynamics; he spent nearly a decade of industry and research experience before attending medical school. His interest in medicine began after learning about the continuous flow artificial heart, and he eventually chose vascular surgery because of how tightly interwoven fluid flow and engineering were into the specialty.

Carey's hobbies include cooking, tennis, cycling, skiing, hiking and exploring the local farmer’s market with his significant other and dog. What he enjoys most about the SLU vascular program are his fellow trainees, whom he spends time with both during and after the workday.

Noah Cassidy, M.D.

Hometown: Puyallup, Washington
Medical school: University of North Carolina
Undergraduate school: University of Washington

Noah Cassidy completed his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at the University of Washington, where he established a strong foundation in biomedical research and pursued his interest in medicine. Prior to medical school, he conducted basic science research for two years with a primary focus on developing a multiplex assay to quantify the HIV reservoir in global populations. He then attended medical school at the University of North Carolina, where he discovered his passion for surgery. Cassidy was drawn to the diversity and innovation within vascular surgery that allows for the delivery of personalized patient care.

In his free time, Cassidy enjoys cooking, weightlifting, basketball and playing with his dog.

Nicholas Schaper, M.D.

Hometown: Minnesota
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Saint Louis University

Nicholas Schaper was born and raised in central Minnesota. He moved to St. Louis in 2015 to attend Saint Louis University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Master of Science in Engineering Physics and a Doctor of Medicine. In college and graduate school, he had the opportunity to participate in research investigating the biomedical properties of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and zinc oxide nanowires. He also conducted research in the clinical arena, working in various facets of vascular surgery during medical school. Schaper was introduced to vascular surgery during graduate school and has enjoyed the breadth of experiences the field offers, with a diversity of cases in both open and endovascular modalities.

Outside the hospital, Schaper enjoys cycling, skiing, walking his golden retriever and spending time with family. His favorite part about his training is the sense of community he has felt from the very first day.