Before attending Walther, Dr. Manny Pyka went to Stevenson Elementary School in Melrose Park. It was there Dr. Pyka realized that he had a passion for science.  He had a wonderful science teacher named Mrs. Jean Nolan.  She encouraged him to enter in the science fair where he won first place two years in a row.  Dr. Pyka is proud to say that Mrs. Nolan is his friend to this day.

By the time Dr. Pyka was a student at Walther, he knew he loved science and helping others.  And so his journey for medical school began.  He was fortunate to have the support of his wonderful family. Dr. Pyka’s mother, Madeline, still resides in Melrose Park.  His father, with great sadness, passed away in 1983.  His brother, Norman, and two sisters, Lynn and Suzanna, all attended Walther and have their own share of great Walther experiences.

It is true Dr. Pyka was an exceptional student.  But all his studying didn’t keep him from partaking in a few extracurricular activities.  Dr. Pyka enjoyed ski club and baseball.  But, the one thing he truly loved at Walther was football.  He can still tell you the date, teams and plays of nearly every game.  He won hardest hitter for two consecutive years and was named to the all-conference team his junior year.

After graduating from Walther in 1981, Dr. Pyka attended Knox College in Galesburg, IL earning a Bachelor of Arts with a major in chemistry. He graduated Cum Laude in 1985. He spent time after graduation doing research at Knox.  Dr. Pyka attended Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and received his Doctorate degree in 1991.  He, then, began his internship and residency at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL.    He married Tracy in 1994 and they have been blessed with four children: Marisa 11, Manny 10, Claudia 5 and Sophia 3.     When Dr. Pyka finished his residency in 1994, he was appointed Chief Resident from 1994-1995. He went on to complete a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease in 1998.

Since 1998, Dr. Pyka has been with a cardiology group, Midwest Heart Specialists.   Although his time is spent mostly at the hospital, he still likes to partake in a couple of hobbies such as running, hockey and photography.  Above all, his heart is with his family.