CHRIS ROWAN, MD, FACC
MCKENNA O'CONNOR PA-C
CALL:(775)636-7100
FAX:(775)636-6724
Meet Rowan Cardiology
From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll be welcomed by Arlene and Ty at the front desk, who ensure a smooth check-in and check-out experience. Behind the scenes and throughout your visit, our clinical team works seamlessly together: Claribel, our lead Medical Assistant, helps keep everything running efficiently; Mckenna, our Physician Assistant, provides attentive, personalized care; and Gabrielle, our Echo Tech, delivers high-quality imaging with precision and compassion.
Supporting patient care even further, Sydney, our pre-med scribe and MA, assists in both documentation and clinical flow, while Grace contributes her expertise in coding and also supports as a Medical Assistant when needed.
At the center of it all are Dr. Rowan and his wife, Joanna, whose shared vision and dedication have built a practice focused on exceptional, patient-centered cardiology care.
Together, we are proud to be the heart of Rowan Cardiology.
Dr Rowan MD FACC
A native of Reno, Nevada, Dr. Rowan grew up in Modesto, California, where his father's love of aviation inspired him to earn his pilot's license at age 16—before he could even drive. This early determination carried into his education: he graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1999 with a BS in Mathematics, then pursued medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine, followed by residency at the University of Washington and a cardiology fellowship in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Returning to Reno, Dr. Rowan has practiced cardiology here for over a decade, specializing in heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, preventative cardiology, general cardiology, and lipidology. He previously served as Director of Clinical Research at Renown, where he co-founded the Healthy Nevada Project, earning the Healthcare Innovator of the Year Award in Nevada for advancing clinical research access in Northern Nevada.
Dr. Rowan has contributed to groundbreaking research, including a 2014 expedition studying heart disease and aging among the indigenous Tsimane people in Bolivia (published in The Lancet) and multiple voyages with the Horus team investigating atherosclerosis in ancient mummies—findings featured in major outlets like The Lancet, JACC, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. These studies have shown heart disease present in humans for over 4,000 years. His most recent Horus expedition was in 2022 to La Paz, Bolivia.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Rowan enjoys family time with his wife Joanna and their three children—Wyatt, Riley, and Jack—along with hiking and using his piloting skills to deliver healthcare to remote areas in California and Nevada.
McKenna O’Connor grew up in Ohio, where she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton. During her time at UD, she prepared for physician assistant school while gaining hands-on experience in health care as a Certified Nursing Assistant and optometry assistant. She also volunteered on a medical brigade in Panama and earned her degree in Biology.
McKenna went on to complete her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Kettering College. Following her training, she spent two years working in vascular surgery, where she gained extensive experience managing complex vascular conditions, assisting in surgical procedures, and providing comprehensive care to patients before and after surgery. This experience strengthened her clinical skills and deepened her commitment to patient-centered care.
In her free time, McKenna enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. Her hobbies include hiking, running, skiing, camping, and practicing yoga. She especially loves sharing these activities with her husband and, whenever possible, with their dachshund, Binks—named after Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars.
Mckenna O'Connor PA-C
