The Founders

The Founders

Albert J. Macksood, M.D.

Albert J. Macksood, M.D., son of a Lebanese immigrant-physician, Joseph Macksood, M.D., returned home to Flint on July 1, 1963, after completing his surgical training with Dr. D. Emerick Szilagyi at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Szilagyi was one of the original pioneers in  peripheral vascular surgery having performed one of the world’s first abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs in 1952. Dr. Macksood brought skills to Flint few in the country possessed. These were the formative years for our specialty. Joining his father, Joseph Macksood, M.D. a family physician and his older brother William (Bill) Macksood, M.D. a general surgeon, he moved into the Macksood Medical Building on Pierson Road built in 1961. There were so many Macksoods we simply called them, Dr. Joe, Dr. Bill, and Dr. Al.

Confident in his ability, imbued with boundless energy and an uncanny ability to engage any and all in meaningful dialogue, Dr. Al was advised by his father to only practice vascular surgery. Highly unusual for those years; but so as not to compete with the general surgeons who lacked his vascular skills, he committed to the specialty. He performed the first open abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy, the first carotid endarterectomy, and the first femoral-popliteal bypass in Mid-Michigan in 1963. Most remarkable about Dr. Macksood, however, was his simple, yet revolutionary philosophy: “cover the waterfront.” That meant all three Flint area hospitals (McLaren, St. Joseph/now Genesys, and Hurley) which have had continuous emergency vascular coverage ever since. He also believed only fellowship trained vascular surgeons should be added, as the need dictated, envisioning a true group practice. This philosophy maintained that patients were part of the group practice and each partner shared equally in the responsibility for their care. The patient received the benefit of having multiple physician input into their vascular care. In addition this created an equal work load and shared compensation allowing all physicians of the group to have a home life, making time for family and interests more predictable. Additionally, it created power in numbers with the opportunity and support to broaden our horizons.

Frederick W. Sherrin, M.D.
Retired 09-30-1999

Carlo A. Dall’Olmo, M.D.
Retired 12-31-2018

As the practice grew, Dr. Macksood tapped Dr. Szilagyi’s program for recruits. Dr. Al Morgan joined in 1965.  Dr. Frederick Sherrin was recruited in 1972 and a professional corporation was formed under the name of Vascular Surgery Associates, P.C.  Dr. Carlo Dall’Olmo joined in 1975. He performed the first tibial artery bypass for limb salvage in Mid-Michigan in 1975. The fact that the first four members came from Dr. Szilagyi’s program was important to our early success. All shared a common culture and work ethic. We were “in synch” says Dr. Dall’Olmo. We shared the same philosophical approach to the patient and the practice of our specialty. This made incorporating a new partner a seamless experience. Dr. Dall’Olmo retired in December 2018 having made major contributions to the growth and success of Michigan Vascular Center.

Non-invasive vascular testing was emerging as a way of assisting vascular surgeons in their clinical decision making. Dr. Dall’Olmo spear-headed a project to open the first non-invasive vascular lab in Mid-Michigan as a part of our practice. Patients could now enjoy less risky initial testing in the same office. A technical lab director was hired and the vascular lab opened in 1980. It was, indeed, a cutting edge decision, as formal recognition of vascular technologists came a few years later in 1984. A certification exam for the RVT credential was developed.

In 1982 with the anticipation of additional partners, the group relocated from Pierson Road to G-5119 W. Bristol Road in a newly emerging development near the Genesee Valley Mall. Allan L. Ippolito, M.D. and John M. McIlduff, M.D., vascular fellows from the Cleveland Clinic, joined the group.

The following summer Wayne K. Kinning, M.D. arrived from St. Anthony’s in Columbus, Ohio.

Having, again, outgrown our facility, a parcel of land on the corner of Linden and Bristol Roads was purchased. The current 12,000 square foot facility was constructed at G-5020 W. Bristol Road and the group relocated in 1985.

In 1990, Gregory J. Fortin, M.D., another Cleveland Clinic vascular fellow was added followed by Scott A. Garner, M.D., a vascular fellow from the Medical College of Virginia in 1993. The corporation was now one of the largest groups of vascular surgeons in private practice in the United States.

Also in 1991, the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) implemented national standards and accredited their first vascular labs. We were eager to participate and became one of the first vascular labs to receive accreditation. ICAVL has now become the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

Toward the end of the decade, Robert G. Molnar, M.D. arrived from Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, having acquired skills in newly emerging endovascular techniques. These minimally invasive, catheter based techniques were poised to transform the treatment of vascular disease.

Thanks to networking with representatives from various medical device companies and other vascular surgeons, our members were able to travel nationally and internationally gaining the necessary skills for aortic endografting and carotid stenting.

In keeping with our future goals, another name change was in order.  In 2001, we became Michigan Vascular Center. In 2002, our group of physicians established Michigan Vascular Research Center (MVRC), a non-profit organization. MVRC was designed for involvement in numerous clinical trials underway in the field of vascular surgery and to offer hands-on experience in teaching other vascular surgeons from around the country the art of carotid artery stenting.

Dr. Garner took a special interest in venous disease and in 2003 became the medical director for our free-standing VeinSolutions Center. Dr. Garner is now one of the region’s most experienced physicians in minimally invasive procedures for varicose veins and venous insufficiency including endovenous closure/ablation.

In 2005 Michigan Vascular Center opened Mid-Michigan’s first free-standing, full service, Hemodialysis Access Center. This center was the first of its kind in the area to offer a comprehensive vascular service to patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). This specialized center evaluates patients for new vascular access as well as evaluating, repairing and maintaining existing access.

In 2010 Nitin G. Malhotra, M.D., joined the group after completing his Vascular Fellowship in Albany, NY. Dr. Malhotra is a highly trained peripheral vascular surgeon in both open surgical repair and endovascular techniques. He brings additional expertise in the area of thoracic endografting

In keeping our commitment to provide unparalleled vascular services to the community, Michigan Vascular Center voluntarily sought accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). In 2010 all locations received full accreditation. In April 2019 we received our fourth, three-year certificate of re-accreditation. Since this demands a high level of commitment and effort, it challenges us to find better ways to serve our patients.

An exciting endeavor was the addition of a Mobility Center at the main campus in 2012.  It was accredited in 2018 by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. Our center includes a fully equipped, on-site laboratory for fabricating prosthetic devices. Our philosophy encourages a “team approach” between the surgeon, the prosthetist and the patient to ensure the best possible outcome. Our goal is to provide the best possible care for amputee patients. Ken Eick, a certified prosthetist since 1990 joined us in June 2016. Patients have access to ‘advanced surgical amputation’ a process requiring input from both the vascular surgeon and the prosthetist to determine the optimum level of amputation with future mobility in mind. Ken has also introduced a new structure scanning system allowing the creation of custom and highly precise sockets providing the utmost in comfort for amputee patients.

In our fiftieth year we expanded our hemodialysis access services to Saginaw, Michigan. The Saginaw Campus opened May 20, 2013. Just as in Flint, the Saginaw Access Center is a free-standing, full service, Hemodialysis Access Center offering comprehensive vascular services to patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).  This specialized center evaluates patients for new vascular access as well as evaluating, repairing and maintaining existing hemodialysis access.

In an effort to provide additional access and convenience for our patients and referring physicians, we opened the Lapeer Campus in May 2015. Conveniently located off I-69, office visits and non-invasive vascular lab testing are available at this location.

Having been approved for a Vascular Fellowship Training program in 2012, we were fortunate to have Mark A. Mattos, M.D. join our group in 2015.  He accepted the position of Associate Program Director and became the Program Director in 2017. Dr. Mattos completed his Vascular Fellowship at Southern Illinois University. He has had extensive experience in surgical education throughout his career and has been at the forefront of the newly evolving area of simulation training. Dr. Mattos has presented and directed both endovascular simulation courses and open vascular skills simulation nationally. Trained in both open and endovascular surgery, Dr. Mattos is a much sought after speaker and educator nationally. Michigan Vascular is proud to have him and see it as another step in providing the best possible learning environment for young, committed surgeons.

Christopher J. Goltz, M.D. joined our group in August 2015.  He completed his Vascular Fellowship at Indiana University in Indianapolis. Also highly trained in  endovascular techniques, Dr. Goltz has a special interest in learning and employing the very latest minimally invasive endovascular technologies. He has added his expertise in “branch technology” to our armamentarium for the endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms. “Branch Technology” allows aortic endografts to be tailor-made with side branches that can fit into renal or mesenteric arteries. As a result, an endovascular procedure may be offered to patients with aortic aneurysms previously excluded from an endovascular approach. This will include thoracic aortic aneurysms as well.

Ranjith Dodla, M.D. joined our group in July 2016. He completed his General Surgery training at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York. He then completed a two-year Vascular Fellowship program at North Shore LIJ Health System (now Northwell Health) in Great Neck, New York.  He was the recipient of the prestigious “Fellow Teacher of the Year” award during his fellowship training.  Dr. Dodla has special interest in complex “Hybrid Debranching” technique for the management of complex aneurysms. This technique is  a unique combination of both open and endovascular approaches for patients who are not candidates for endovascular and are high risk for traditional open surgery. He is well versed in endovascular management of descending thoracic aorta dissection.

The newest member of our group is a generational milestone. Alison J. Kinning, M.D. is the daughter of Wayne K. Kinning, M.D. who joined in 1982. Alison received her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten. She completed her Vascular Surgery Residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, OH in 2018 and returned home to join the practice. Michigan Vascular Center has now come full circle with a new generation leading the way.

Jennifer M. Baker, M.D. joined Michigan Vascular Center in 2020 after completing a Vascular Surgery fellowship at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.  She completed her General Surgery Residency at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine in Tulsa. Dr. Baker received her medical doctorate from the University of Toledo in Ohio. She holds both a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science and a Master’s Degree in Health Care Management. Dr. Baker believes that a vascular surgeon needs be skilled and precise but also filled with compassion, empathy and respect for patients which is what she strives to achieve.

Michigan Vascular welcomes home Bara Zuhaili, M.D. Dr. Zuhaili completed his  two-year Vascular Surgery fellowship here in Flint at the Michigan State University/Michigan Vascular Center Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program, graduating in 2016.  He initially joined a private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2018 he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore as well as Medical Director of Vascular Surgery Services at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland. After the birth of his children, he and his wife returned to Michigan to be closer to family and friends. Dr. Zuhaili is also a Board Certified General Surgeon after having completed his General Surgery residency at Berkshire Medical Center, University of Massachusetts in Pittsfield, MA, graduating in 2014. Dr. Zuhaili is currently working on a Master’s degree in Public Health with an interest in Global and Humanitarian Health.

Lauren D. Cardella, D.O. joined Michigan Vascular Center in 2021 after completing a Vascular Surgery fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  She completed her General Surgery Residency at Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Cardella received her osteopathic doctorate from the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Dr. Cardella became enamored with vascular surgery in her fourth year of general surgery training.  She says, “I feel very fortunate to have found a career path that allows me to pursue an area I am truly passionate about.”

One of the Largest Groups of Vascular Surgeons in the Midwest

Providing the best possible vascular care for the physicians, patients and institutions of our community.

One of the Largest Groups of
Vascular Surgeons in the Midwest

Providing the best possible vascular care for the physicians, patients and institutions of our community.