Dr. Joseph Decker gives “thankful for family” new meaning this holiday season
[Allina Health Newsroom, November 20, 2025] Joseph Decker reported to work at Allina Health as a part-time laboratory technician in the electrophysiology (EP) lab back in 2007, the dream of becoming a doctor like his grandfather was a distant one. Back then, he also worked part-time at Minneapolis Heart Institute, which was not yet part of Allina Health. There he conducted research. This experience greatly inspired Joseph to apply to medical school and begin the 12-year process to become a cardiac electrophysiologist.
But his inspiration began at a much earlier age. His father, Francis Decker, a Principal Affera Mapping Specialist for Medtronic, conducts 3D mapping for cardiac ablation procedures. Joseph added “My dad knows Dr. Bill Katsiyiannis (now president of Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute) from 20 years ago. He still does mapping cases at our hospitals today. On the last day of my fellowship with the University of Minnesota, he did a case with me. I finally got the opportunity to work a case with him here [at Allina Health] before he retires. It’s really special to have had those experiences together and I’m very thankful for this recent opportunity to bring my work and family together.”
Joseph’s grandfather (on his father’s side) was also a primary care physician. He never met his grandfather because he passed away before he was born, but “he also helped spark that initial interest in me,” noted Joseph.
In fact, Joseph’s family connection to medicine doesn’t stop there. He and his brother Dominic went to medical school together at the University of Minnesota, and after graduating, they both took jobs at Allina Health. Joseph works with Allina Health’s Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Dominic Decker, MD is a primary care physician at the Allina Health Uptown Clinic.
Today, Joseph’s days are spent in the EP lab, consulting on cases in the hospital and also seeing patients in clinic. He also does many pacemaker and defibrillator implants, and ablation procedures for arrhythmias. “Where I derive the most joy is when I meet someone who is struggling with a heart rhythm disturbance and we work together to make a plan, which may involve a procedure. Then afterwards, when I see them in clinic, they tell me about enjoying their passions again – whether it's traveling, being able to do yardwork or personal hobbies – that is a really gratifying experience for me,” said Joseph.
“It's also really rewarding to be a part of the culture and camaraderie that I witnessed in the EP lab at Abbott more than 17 years ago. People I met then are still here such as Dr. Bill Katsiyiannis, Dr. Daniel Melby, Dr. Raed Abdelhadi and Dr. Gornick, and they played a significant role in helping to establish the group that we have today. It’s such a supportive and unique culture. To have a place this special, it really speaks to the quality of people.”
Reflecting on how his previous roles made him a better physician, Decker said, “When you start as a tech and learn the basics, you also learn you get to spend time with some outstanding role models. For example, Bill [Dr. Katsiyiannis] would often take time during procedures to teach the techs and other staff in the room. His passion for electrophysiology and taking care of patients was clearly evident in those interactions. Those experiences were extremely impactful for me, and that's what I hope to pass along to the people I work with now. I try to lead with a lot of humility and treat people with care and respect, just like Bill and others did for me almost 20 years ago.”
When asked about his Allina Health bio, which states his alternate dream is to be a professional golfer, Decker laughed. “More realistically, I would be a teacher. My mom is a retired teacher, and if I look back, I loved being in school and had a strong curiosity and desire to learn. She pushed me academically and my dad had a big impact, too. That, combined with my experiences here at Allina, is what pushed me in the direction of medical school.”
Want to read more about the Decker brothers’ journey? They co-authored an article for Minnesota Medicine as they graduated from medical school. Check it out here.
Share this article
