Cardiovascular Center
Meet the Team
Lillian Khor, M.B.BCh., B.A.O.
Medical Director
Lillian Khor received her medical degree, M.B.BCh., BAO degree (equivalent to M.D.) from the National University of Ireland in 1997. She completed her internal medicine Internship and Residency at the University of Utah from 2000-2003 and continued her training as Chief Medical Resident of the Coronary Care Unit at LDS Hospital. Her Fellowship training in General Cardiology was at the University of Utah from 2004-2006 and she was Chief Cardiology Fellow and recipient of the Women in Cardiology Trainee Award for Excellence, awarded by the American Heart Association in 2006.
Her professional career started at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC); where she was Coronary Care and Telemetry Unit Director, Cardiology Clinic Medical Director, Cardiology Fellowship site Director, and Medical Residency and Student Clerkships Director. Since 9/2010, Dr. Khor shares her time between the VAMC and the University of Utah Hospital and Healthcare, where she is now the Medical Director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation. She also is collaborating with the Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center to build a comprehensive multi-disciplinary Cardio-metabolic Risk Reduction Program (Care-Met) to support Therapeutic Lifestyle Modification of cardiovascular risk factors. Dr. Khor’s research interests include preventive and screening strategies pre and post cardiac events in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. She has published on the gender and age-related differences in the prognostic value of a biomarker (C-reactive protein) in patients with established coronary artery disease.
Dr. Khor is active in the community as President of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Board of Directors, which is instrumental in fundraising for research dollars. She is also involved in the Center of Excellence for Women and with Kathleen Digre, is Co-Principal Investigator for a grant called “Heartwise 9-1-1” to promote awareness of heart attack symptoms in women within the Hispanic and ethnic minority communities in Salt Lake City.
Dawn Young, B.S.N.
Nurse Manager
As the Director of the Cardiac Rehab program, Dawn oversees the daily operation of the department. Dawn has been with Preventive Cardiology for 5 years and is deeply committed to patient care and is always a strong advocate for the best care being delivered to every patient. Dawn is originally from Bronx, NY and has earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in Psychology and the other in Nursing. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys Yoga, hiking and gardening. In the next 3-5 years dawn hopes that she will survive her daughter’s teenage years and to continue promoting healthy living throughout the University of Utah.
Anthony Quan, B.S.
Supervisor
Anthony is a native from Sandy, Utah, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. As the coordinator of the cardiac rehab program, Anthony actively ensures that the needs of the patients and department are met. Anthony has been with the department for three years and has had a total of six years of experience in the medical field. He is very passionate about the medical field especially the benefits of exercise. In his spare time Anthony enjoys staying active and participating in marathons and triathlons.
Lindsay King, B.A.
Patient Diagnostic Assistant
Lindsay comes to us from San Francisco, California. She earned a double bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in psychology and sociology. A patient diagnostic assistant, Lindsay ensures that patients have adequate discharge education and instruction before their transition home. She also ensures that every patient has adequate follow-up appointments with the necessary physicians to manage their medications and follow-up care. In her spare time Lindsay enjoys vigorous regimes of yoga, hiking, jogging and coin collecting. Lindsay wants to eventually become a permanent resident of Salt Lake City to enjoy all the activities that come with the four seasons.
Hailey Neilson M.S., CHES
Health Educator
Bio coming soon...
Thea Brannon, R.N.
Clinical Cardiology Coordinator
Thea is originally from Boston, MA, and received her bachelor’s in nursing while attending Cal State. As a clinical cardiac coordinator Thea works hard to ensure that each patient has the necessary education and instruction prior to their discharge from the hospital. Thea has been with our department for 14 years, and that experience shows in her effectiveness to deliver the education necessary for each patient. She enjoys reading, gardening, traveling and politics in her spare time. Eventually Thea would like to spend more time volunteering and giving back to community and also plans to raise chickens, garden and travel the world.
Angie McGuire, R.N.
Clinical Cardiology Coordinator
Angie is originally from California. She received her registered nurse degree from Salt Lake Community College. As a clinical cardiac coordinator Angie works hard to ensure that each patient has the necessary education and instruction prior to their discharge from the hospital. Angie has a wealth of knowledge that spans across more than just cardiology and consistently uses this knowledge in her approach to education. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, catching up on reading, listening to music and staying active.
Galina Polei, R.N.
Clinical Cardiology Coordinator
Galina is originally from Russia, and she moved to New York and received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Long Island University, NY. As a clinical cardiac coordinator Galina works hard to ensure that each patient has the necessary education and instruction prior to their discharge from the hospital. Galina has been with our department for four years and her compassion for each patient has never wavered. In her spare time Galina enjoys traveling to spiritual places; she loves nature. Galina is interesting in physiological, psychological and spiritual development in older life and at the end of life. Galina hopes to continue her education and is pursuing a master’s in gerontology.
Sarah Hilton, R.N.
Clinical Cardiology Coordinator
Sarah is a native to Salt Lake City and attended Weber State University where she earned a degree in Nursing. As a clinical cardiac coordinator, Sarah works hard to ensure that each patient has the necessary education and instruction prior to their discharge from the hospital. Sarah has been with our department for 3 years and strives to provide each patient with the education necessary for their discharge home. Sarah enjoys traveling, exercising and especially being a wonderful mom to her two children.
Lisa Whittington, R.N.
Clinical Cardiology Coordinator
Bio coming soon...
Edward Robbins, M.S.
Exercise Specialist
Ed is a Salt Lake City native and earned an MS from California University of PA. As an exercise specialist Ed monitors patients’ exercise tolerance in order to prescribe exercise that will safely improve stamina and strength. Ed is very passionate about the medical field, and this passion shows when he is working with his patients. He is constantly encouraging and promoting the benefits of exercise as it relates to heart disease. In his spare time Ed enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking with his family. He is planning on continuing his education to earn a doctor of pharmacy degree.
Shellee Roylance, B.S.
Exercise Specialist
Shellee is a Salt Lake City native and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. As an exercise specialist Shellee monitors patients’ exercise tolerance to prescribe exercise that will improve stamina and strength safely. As an athlete herself Shellee knows the importance of exercise and is passionate about promoting the incorporation of activity into all her patients’ lives. In her spare time Shellee enjoys running marathons and cooking. She wants to further establish her career as an exercise specialist.
Carson Comeau, B.S.
Exercise Specialist
Carson is a Salt Lake City native and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. As an exercise specialist Carson monitors patients’ exercise tolerance to prescribe exercise that will improve stamina and strength. Carson has had over three years of experience in this field, and she is consistently utilizing her education and experience to promote the benefits of exercise. Carson is very passionate of the medical field, a quality that shows with each patient she is able to work with. In her spare time Carson enjoys traveling, climbing, camping and any outdoor activity. Carson hopes to eventually continue her education to become a physician assistant.
Melissa Jackson, B.S.
Exercise Specialist
Melissa, aka Jackson, is from the sunshine state (Florida) and moved to Utah where she earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology with a minor in nutrition from the University of Utah. She also has her ACSM personal trainer certification. As an exercise specialist Jackson monitors patients’ exercise tolerance to prescribe exercise that will improve stamina and strength. Jackson has been in the medical field for 15 years with experience as a certified nurse assistant and a pharmacy technician. Jackson has been with the department for seven years, which shows in her ability to educate patients about the benefits of exercise. An avid athlete herself Jackson is always ready to help motivate others to exercise. In her spare time Jackson enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and staying active by swimming, hiking, kayaking and sunbathing. In the next three to five years, Jackson hopes to complete a half ironman.
Melissa Walker, M.S.
Exercise Specialist
Melissa, aka Walker, is from Marysville, Utah, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Utah. As an exercise specialist Walker monitors patients’ exercise tolerance to prescribe exercise that will improve stamina and strength. Walker has been with the department for eight years and has a wealth of experience in the department. From an exercise specialist to the previous supervisor of the department, Walker uses all of her experience to help promote exercise for all of her patients. In her spare time Walker enjoys spending time with her family and boating in the summer.
Caitlin Caldwell, B.S.
Caitlin is a native from Sandy, Utah, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University. As an exercise specialist Caitlin monitors patients’ exercise tolerance to prescribe exercise that will improve stamina and strength. Caitlin is the newest member of our team bringing experience from her work as a critical care tech in the ICU. Through the combination of her education and experience in the medical field, Caitlin knows the importance of exercise as a patient in and out of the hospital. In her spare time Caitlin enjoys staying active, especially through outdoors activities.
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