Bryan Heart Welcomes Dr. Matthew Kapalis

Electrophysiologist Matthew Kapalis, DO, joined Bryan Heart this winter.

Dr. Matthew Kapalis,
wife, Molly and son Nikolas

Dr. Kapalis grew up in eastern Iowa. He earned a bachelor’s in biology and psychology from Luther College in Decorah in 2003 and completed the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program at Des Moines University in 2008. 

His medical training includes an internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and fellowships in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha.

He served as an assistant professor at UNMC and Creighton University and is Board certified in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.

“I practiced as a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist in the Omaha area for the past five years,” he says. “As I learned more about cardiology, I became fascinated by the interplay with the structure of the heart as well as the electrical function of the heart.”

He notes, “As an electrophysiologist, I see patients who have issues with fast or slow heart rhythms. There are times where people need help with pacemakers or defibrillators, and I do those procedures. Others require specific interventions, such as medicines or procedures known as ablations, in which we actually get rid of areas of the heart that are causing abnormally fast heart rhythms.”

Making Care Decisions Together

Dr. Kapalis says he’s fortunate to treat patients from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and perspectives.

“My philosophy is that our decision making is based on sharing information and ideas. There are some treatment strategies that work for one person’s philosophy that don’t work for another’s, so it’s extremely important that patients and physicians both are comfortable with the choices we make together,” he says.

Dr. Kapalis notes cardiac electrophysiology has changed dramatically in recent years.

“Now we can safely and effectively eliminate fast heart rhythms because we have better tools to map out the heart and the areas where bad heart rhythms come from,” he explains. “In addition, we have new and smarter pacemakers and defibrillators that protect people from life-threatening heart rhythms while dramatically improving quality of life. 

“I was excited to join Bryan Heart because I already know several physicians who work here, and I appreciate their dedication and enthusiasm for what they do.”

He adds, “Bryan Health has an excellent reputation. I’m proud to be a part of Bryan Health because of its commitment to the community as well as to patients across Nebraska and its neighboring states.”

How does he enjoy his free time?

“Outside the hospital, I love to spend my relaxing time with my wife, Molly, and our son Nikolas and our dogs.”