FEBRUARY 1, 2026- The Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic in Florida is expanding to meet the rising demand for specialized care and the increasing complexity of cardiovascular and thoracic conditions.
According to the American Heart Association, rates of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure and arrythmias like atrial fibrillation, are climbing nationwide.
With a focus on the future of cardiovascular and thoracic care, Cleveland Clinic is strengthening its team, advancing technology, and enhancing its capabilities to stay at the forefront of care. Each step forward reflects a continued commitment to improving outcomes and delivering world-class treatment to every patient.
Heart Transplant Team Expansion
Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital is expanding its heart transplant team to growing patient volume with the addition of Antonio R. Polanco, MD, cardiothoracic and heart transplant surgeon, and Antonio Lewis, MD, advanced heart failure cardiologist.
“We remain committed to recruiting physicians who are among the most skilled and passionate in their field, and who bring valuable subspecialty expertise,” says Jose Navia, MD, Vice Chief of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute for the Cleveland Clinic Florida Market. “We’re pleased to welcome Drs. Polanco and Lewis and look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of heart care for our patients.”
Dr. Polanco is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. Prior to Cleveland Clinic, he helped expand the heart transplant program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and also led efforts to extend ischemic time windows for donor hearts, traveling as far as 2,000 miles for viable organs.
Dr. Lewis is a board-certified cardiologist, who completed fellowships in cardiology and internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic in both Ohio and Florida.
Cardiac Electrophysiology Team & Expanded Lab
Like the heart transplant program, the Cardiac Electrophysiology & Heart Pacing Program at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital is also expanding. The department is growing from four to five physicians with the appointment of electrophysiologist Bishoy Hanna, MD, who joins from Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and specializes in ablation procedures for adult congenital heart disease and complex endocardial and epicardial ventricular tachycardia.
To support the increase in patient volume, a new electrophysiology (EP) lab opened in Sept. 2025. The expanded lab is designed to improve access to care and reduce wait-times for procedures.
“AFib, along with other heart rhythm disorders, is one of the leading causes of stroke, so it’s an honor to help expand our capabilities and provide more patients in South Florida with access to advanced cardiac care,” says Parikshit Sharma, MD, electrophysiologist with Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital. “Expanding our existing lab also allows us to continue providing high-quality, compassionate care while offering advanced procedures that are essential to our patients.”
The new EP lab enables physicians to perform a wide range of procedures, including:
- Cardiac device implantations (e.g., defibrillators, pacemakers)
- Advanced radiofrequency and pulsed field ablations (e.g., atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia ablations)
- Left atrial appendage occlusion procedures (e.g., Amulet and Watchman devices)
- Complex lead extractions
Advancing Cardiovascular Diagnostics & Prevention
And, like our growing heart transplant and EP teams, Cleveland Clinic is further strengthening its cardiovascular expertise with the appointment of Greg Kasper, MD as the new Chair of Vascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital.
In this role, Dr. Kasper will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of caregivers to advance prevention, early detection, and treatment of vascular conditions, supporting patients not only at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital but also across our Indian River and Martin Health Hospitals.
“These efforts build on the strong vascular care already in place, with continued focus on prevention, early detection, and comprehensive cardiovascular testing, including echocardiograms and advanced imaging,” says Dr. Jerry Estep, MD, Regional Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine for the Cleveland Clinic Florida Market. “It’s all part of Cleveland Clinic’s mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that grows with the needs of the communities we serve.”
To learn more about the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, visit: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/florida/departments/heart.
