Ryan Bellassai, PA-C, specializes in cardiovascular and thoracic (CVT) surgery at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI). His professional areas of interest that he enjoys most are complex cardiac surgery cases like reoperative heart surgeries, heart valve operations and emergency surgeries.

Ryan said, “I chose cardiothoracic surgery because it is so complex and challenging and every surgery brings new challenges.”

Ryan’s draw to medicine began at his love for learning about the human body. He said he loves the opportunity it provides him to help patients understand intricate situations about their health.

When it comes to working one-on-one with his patients, Ryan said, “I try to take a complex topic and explain it in a way that everyone in the room can understand so that each patient can make the best choice regarding their own health.”

Ryan said his number one piece of advice to his patients is, “don't smoke.”

When Ryan isn’t working, he can be found spending time with his wife, dogs and cat. He also enjoys woodworking, cooking, exercising, hiking and building things.