Stephen Nash

(Class of 1976)

In a society focused on health issues, Dr. Stephen Nash’s professional commitment is critical. He is a cardiologist with a big heart. Having completed fellowships, internships, and residencies from Chicago to San Francisco, Stephen has chosen to live in Manlius and serve the residents of Central New York through his clinical practice at Syracuse Preventive Cardiology.

Not your typical cardiologist in a group practice, he is a disappearing breed of solo practicing specialists and as such is recognized as a regional authority on high cholesterol and high blood pressure. “Working alone can get a bit hairy, but I see every patient myself,” says Stephen. “This can be both fun and gratifying.” Through a holistic approach to patients, Stephen provides care, advice, and encouragement to both the patient and his/her family regarding treatment, education, and lifestyle changes. Dr. Nash’s patients have shown their gratitude through showering him with gifts of wine, homegrown produce, homemade pasta, and even aged pig poop with which to fertilize his garden. That’s a patient showing appreciation!

Stephen’s interest in medicine was gradual. “My dad was undoubtedly the best role model for my future career. Since I was a young boy, I accompanied him on rounds at St. Joseph’s Hospital. I still wander the halls of St. Joe’s 40+ years later!” Even the antics of his FM biology teacher didn’t deter him. He remembers the day Mr. Warren Petty inflated a calf’s lung with a rubber hose. His best friend fainted, but Stephen was intrigued.

Dr. Nash’s professional credentials distinguish him among his colleagues. He holds a B.A. from Hamilton College and his M.D. from SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse. As a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (F.A.C.C.) and Fellow of the American Heart Association (F.A.H.A.), he is a Board Certified Cardiologist and a Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology, the only practicing cardiologist in CNY with this distinction. He serves as Co-Chief of Cardiology at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at SUNY upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

His participation in numerous clinical research studies has provided significant input in the development of cardiovascular drugs. His current position as a member of the Clinical Events Committee of the National Institute of Health has involved him in their AIM HIGH Study, 2006. This will allow him to contribute to the comparative analysis of HDL raising therapy and traditional cholesterol lowering methods.

As a member of the National Lipid Association, Stephen was a proponent in the establishment of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. Being a respected leader in this field and because he is committed to the dissemination of imperative information to the medical community, he now serves on the new journal’s editorial board.

Stephen takes heart health and education seriously. In addition to the publication of numerous papers, he speaks frequently to both lay and professional groups, locally and nationally. And, he runs regularly, which includes the completion of three marathons.

He is married to Marla, perhaps his greatest admirer, and is the father of three current FM students. When not attending their sports games or theatrical events, he uses his leisure time to read military history, politics, and personal finance, or visit with his parents who still reside in Manlius.