Robert N. Schnitzler M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P. Program Director	María Cristina Rodríguez R.N., B.S.N. Program Coordinator and Administrator	María M. Yanelli, R.N. Program Clinical Coordinator	José Andrés Ibarra Elizondo, M.D.
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"The greatest satisfaction for a physician is to anticipate a clinical circumstance, know its etiology and correct it, leading to the best possible prognosis."

As the director of the Schnitzler Medical & Wellness Program, Dr. Schnitzler promotes preventive strategies. "The concept is a simple one, most people go to the doctor to alleviate or cure an illness after it has happened. Our entire society thinks of treating illnesses after the fact. Through this program, we have seen the benefits of early detection of potential illnesses and how it favorably alters the outcome," comments Dr. Schnitzler.

 

Robert N. Schnitzler
M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P.

Dr Schnitzler is a Diplomat of the American Boards of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Recognized as a pioneer and a leading authority in the field of electrophysiology, he was one of the first physicians certified in cardiac electrophysiology-a sub-specialty of Cardiology dedicated to the study of electrical impulse conduction of the heart. "In electrophysiology we study the conduction pathways of electrical impulses in the heart. When the pathways deviate from the norm, electrophysiology helps us determine the degree of deviation and allows us to make adequate recommendations for treatment," commented Dr. Schnitzler.

His education includes a doctorate in medicine from the School of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine, Buffalo, New York and training at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. His residency took place at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York, New York.

Over the last 25 years, Dr. Schnitzler has investigated new medicines designed to treat disrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and hypertension. He was the first doctor in San Antonio to perform cardiac ablations-a therapeutic treatment for rapid disrythmias. After completing his studies and specialty training in New York, in 1972, Dr Schnitzler accepted the charge of assistant professor of medicine at the Health Science Center University of Texas in San Antonio. Dr. Schnitzler is currently a clinical professor of medicine and has been the medical director at Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and director of cardiology at St. Luke's Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Since 1977, Dr. Schnitzler has consulted private patients in his cardiology clinic in San Antonio, Texas. His clinic counts with nursing personnel specialized and with extensive experience in the management of congestive heart failure and disrhythmias. Dr. Schnitzler specializes in cardiac catheterisms, angioplasty (coronary dilatations), medical management of heart transplants, reperfusion thru thrombophlebitis, pacemaker implantation, and implantable automatic cardiac defibrillators.

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María Cristina Rodríguez, R.N., B.S.N.
Registered Nurse
Administrator Practice of Dr. Robert N. Schnitzler
Coordinator of the Medical Wellness Program

María Cristina Rodríguez is the office administrator of Dr. Robert N. Schnitzler, one of the largest private practices in the state of Texas.

Her education includes a bachelor's degree in science from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas with professional licensure as Registered Nurse in the state of Texas.

Nurse Rodríguez' excellent academic record and vast experience has allowed her following professional titles: Cardiovascular Nurse Specialist and Office Administrator, Robert N. Schnitzler, M.D., P.A., San Antonio, Texas: First surgical assistant for Cardiac Catheterization, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Dilatations (PTCA), Thrombolysis Coronary Reperfusion, Valvulopolasty, Endocardial mapping, Electrophysiology studies and Cardiopulmonary Support System; Assistant in cutdown procedure/suturing and manipulation of Swan-Ganz catheters under fluoroscopy for right heart pressure parameters measurement; Assistant in preparing hemodynamic reports which include cardiac outputs by Fick and dilution dye technique, cardiac index, stroke volume, total pulmonary resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, systemic vascular resistance, and stroke volume working index; assistant in measurement of dp/dt left ventricular function per electrocardiogram, measurement of appearance time in dilution dye technique for absorption times, comparison and measurement of right pressures on control basis, post-dye injection, post-angio injection, and pullback pressures for equilibration of ventricular function during angiography; Assistant for the intra-aortic balloon pump (served as relief backup in intensive care units for 1977-81); Assistant in the preoperative and postoperative care of cardiac transplant patients; Clinical monitor for post-insertion pacemaker patients with particular attention to rate intervals, pulse duration, pulse interval measurements for pre-failure recognition, and monthly checks for pre-failure recognition; Assistant for pacemaker insertions and recordings of ventricular electrograms for pacemaker spike amplitude; Clinical monitor of exercise testing; Teacher for patient information of heart disease, including myocardial infarction, bypass, arrhythmia's, congestive heart failure, pacemakers and AICD's.

 

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María M. Yanelli, R.N.
Registered Nurse
Medical Wellness Program Clinical Coordinator

Ms. Yanelli is the Clinical Coordinator for the Medical Wellness Program. She is also a cardiovascular nurse and has extensive experience in multi-system failure patients at Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Tex.

Her education includes a degree in Registered Nursing from San Antonio Community College in San Antonio, Texas. She is in the process of completing the pre-requisite courses for medical school.

Her experience includes five years in the area of intermediate telemetry care at Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital and two years as the clinical nurse coordinator for the Medical Wellness Program, in San Antonio, Texas.

 

 

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José Andrés Ibarra Elizondo, M. D.
Medical Wellness Program Medical Assistant

Dr. Ibarra attended the Instituto Regiomontano of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota. He received his doctorate in medicine form the School of Medicine at the University of Monterrey, in Monterrey Nuevo León, México. He did community medical services in México and received an honorary recognition by the Desarrollo Integral a la Familia (DIF) in Monterrey Nuevo León, México. Dr. Ibarra conducted his clinical rotations under several different specialties, as well as a clinical internship at Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital, in San Antonio, Texas.

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Aside from internal medicine, Dr. Robert N. Schnitzler's clinic has extensive experience in cardiology and electrophysiology. His medical staff is highly educated and posses a great deal of training. The nursing personnel is accredited in clinical cardiology and electrophysiology and all the nurses are members of the American Critical Care Association.

Victoria A. Paparelli, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.N.S. A.C.

“The exercise stress test is key in assessing cardiovascular risk factors. This exam is a guide on which we base some of the recommendations for changes in lifestyle to improve your personal health.”

 

Among the cardiovascular studies performed in our facility is the routine exercise tolerance test, which evaluates the heart's response to stress and the circulation to the heart muscle.

 

Dr. Brant S. Mittler M.D., J.D.

"The 2-D Echocardiogram allows an assessment of the functional status of the heart, which would not be as easily ascertained in any other way. With early identification of abnormalities, we can aggressively treat and prevent the occurrence of complications such as heart failure."

Dr. Brant S. Mittler evaluates the structure and function of the heart through echocardiography. This exam evaluates the heart structure and the function of the heart valves using ultrasound technology.

Marcia E. Abbott, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.S. A.C.

“The detection and treatment of high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol are essential in the prevention of stroke and heart disease."

 

 

Additional heart-specific studies and treatments provided by our clinic include heart catheterisms, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, stent, pacemaker implantation, electrophysiology studies, ablation by radiofrequency, tilt table, and base line electrocardiograms.