Cardiology Profiles

 

Brett Beecher, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, joined Cleveland Clinic Martin Health on January 22. Dr. Beecher was most recently employed at University Hospital in Augusta, GA. He is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL. Dr. Beecher’s practice includes: open heart and general thoracic procedures; robotic lobectomy; implementation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices (VAD); and transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR).

 

 

Dr. Jeffrey Fenster is board certified in general and interventional cardiology. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Texas and his medical degree from Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dr. Fenster completed his internship and residency in internal medicine in the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. He went on to complete fellowships in general cardiology and interventional cardiology at the Division of Cardiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami.  Dr. Fenster’s areas of expertise include cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and stent placement, with a focus on the whole patient, giving attention to both the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

 

 

Dr. Simie Platt, a board certified cardiac electrophysiologist, is the chief of staff at Jupiter Medical Center. Dr. Platt is excited about the upcoming launch of the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation program at Jupiter Medical Center, which will be established at the onset of the hospital’s new open-heart surgery program. Dr. Platt performed the first catheter ablation in Palm Beach County. A graduate of Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dr. Platt completed his cardiology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, NY, and he completed an electrophysiology fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.

 

Certified in cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Robert Singal specializes in cardiovascular disease as well as interventional cardiology. Dr. Singal received a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Florida in Gainesville and his medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa before completing his residency at the Medical College of Georgia and a cardiology fellowship at the University of Miami. He has practiced with the Holy Cross Medical Group since 2012.

 

 

Dr. Karan Munuswamy practices cardiology at the Holy Cross Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease and also holds certifications in nuclear cardiology, hypertension and cardiac CTA. Dr. Munuswamy studied medicine at the Institute of Medical Sciences in India followed by a residency at St. Francis Medical Center in New Jersey and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Missouri. Active in clinical research, he has published numerous papers in scientific journals. He is a Fellow of American College of Cardiology and a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. He also serves as president of the leadership board for the American Diabetes Association’s South Florida region and on the board of trustees for the Association of Indians in America’s South Florida chapter, among several other community positions for which he has received many awards.

 

Joseph Lamelas, M.D., FACS is the chief of cardiac surgery at the University of Miami Health System and professor of surgery at the Miller School of Medicine. He is considered an expert and pioneer in the most advanced forms of minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

 

Dr. Lamelas pioneered the "Miami Method” a minimally invasive valve repair and replacement approach that has been documented to benefit patients. He consistently achieves one of the lowest morbidity and mortality rates in the State of Florida, as well as in the nation, gaining the attention of surgeons and patients from around the globe.

 

He has performed more than 16,000 cardiac operations – more than 7,000 of which have employed a minimally invasive approach – throughout his 29-year career.

 

Because of his extensive experience, Dr. Lamelas has played an instrumental role in the design and development of new and innovative techniques, concepts, and products for advancing the field of minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Dr. Larry Latson is Medical Director, Pediatric and Congenital Interventional Cardiology, at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Co-Medical Director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute.

 

Dr. Larry Latson has a passion for improving the lives of children and adults with special medical needs due to heart defects. He is one of the first physicians board-certified in the specialty of Adult Congenital Heart Disease and has made it his life’s work to constantly learn, innovate, and improve the lives of patients with congenital heart defects at all ages.

 

With more than 35 years of experience he has made contributions to the development of many modern techniques and devices designed to treat various congenital heart defects. He has been invited to lecture and teach at numerous centers around the world.

 

Dr. Latson earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He rose to the rank of Professor at the U of Nebraska before assuming the chairmanship of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. He moved to South Florida in 2011. Dr. Latson is a fellow and member of a number of professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and American College of Cardiology.

 

 

Dr. Immanuel I. Turner has an established reputation as a cardiac surgeon treating newborns, infants, children, adolescents and adults with complex congenital heart defects. He is also a central part of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Pediatric Heart Transplant Team. He is dual board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery in Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery. He graduated from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed internships and residencies in surgery from Duke University as well as a fellowship training in thoracic and congenital heart surgery at University of Michigan. His interest in congenital heart surgery started in medical school with intrigue in the coordination of how the heart develops.

 

For Dr. Turner, his profession is his passion. He takes pride in partnering with his patients and their families as he focuses on helping them overcome their heart challenges. His professional highlights include conducting research. Currently, he is focusing on following pediatric patients post-surgery to determine definitive protocols regarding the timing and techniques for procedures based on immediate and long-term outcomes as children grow into adults.

 

 

A deep desire to help people was the driving force behind why Dr. Maria Avila wanted to become a doctor throughout her childhood. As a cardiologist specialized in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute, she cares for patients with end-stage heart failure requiring advanced therapies such as mechanical circulatory support and/or heart transplantation.

 

Before joining Memorial, she received specialized training at Mayo Clinic, Mt Sinai Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine/Steward Carney Hospital. She also has research experience and training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Avila is originally from Colombia where she obtained her medical degree from Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario in 2005. She holds certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine in Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine.

 

 

Dr. Priyanka Gosain serves as a cardiologist who is board-certified in Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant Cardiology at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. She plays a vital role as part of a multidisciplinary team that takes care of the most complex and acutely ill cardiac patients. Her passion for patient care and clinical research is the basis for her approach as she tailors the treatment of each patient as a shared-decision making process ensuring that a patient’s ideals and beliefs remain central to all treatment plans.

 

She is involved in clinical research and outcomes projects regarding risk stratification for patients with heart failure to better match the right patient with the right treatment. She also frequently publishes opinion pieces about the art of medicine and managing patient preferences in journals such as Journal of American College of Cardiology and Annals of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Gosain received her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College in 2008. She completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital. Dr. Gosain completed fellowships at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Cardiovascular Disease and at University of South Florida College of Medicine in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology.

 

Dr. Demetrio Castillo is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist for Memorial Healthcare System with an expertise in diagnosing and treating the full range of heart rhythm disorders also called arrhythmias. This includes the implantation and management of pacemakers and defibrillators, and performing minimally invasive catheter ablations for supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. As a physician fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Dr. Castillo prides himself in working with each patient and their family to help them understand their condition so they can make well-informed decisions regarding their individualized treatment options.

 

A graduate of New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Castillo completed residency training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston. He then went on to complete a fellowship in cardiology and further training in cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

 

 

Dr. Sunay Shah is an Interventional Cardiologist at Memorial Healthcare System where he treats patients with acute coronary syndromes, severe congestive heart failure and other heart conditions. Additionally, he specializes in performing cardiac catheterization from the radial artery located in the wrist, instead of the traditional procedure performed through the femoral artery. This technique is gaining popularity in Europe and the United States due to the reduced risks for complications, reduced pain and quicker recovery times.

 

Dr. Shah is passionate about empowering patients. He strives to educate every patient about their heart conditions and about the treatments that are available to improve cardiac function for an optimal quality of life.

 

Dr. Shah earned his Medical Degree from Ross University School of Medicine, and trained at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, which is one of the leading cardiology training sites in the country. While there, he cared for patients with severe coronary artery disease and cardiogenic shock, and performed complex coronary interventions with use of advanced mechanical support devices including Impella and ECMO.

 

 

Dr. Eli Friedman serves a unique role at Memorial Healthcare System providing specialized cardiac care for athletes of all skill levels and offering pre-participation screenings and treating acute conditions such as chest pain, dizzy spells, decreased athletic performance and heart rhythm disturbances as part of the Memorial Sports Medicine Center at Memorial Regional Hospital South. Additionally, he is a board-certified cardiologist with Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute at Memorial Healthcare System, where he provides preventive cardiac care and treats patients with coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, cardiac rhythm problems, congestive heart failure and other heart complications. He is also board-certified in Internal Medicine.

 

Dr. Friedman, whose father is a cardiologist, is a former Division I college athlete. He was also a medical director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. He continues to participate in multiple endurance sports. During his training, he participated in sports cardiology themed research and helped to provide cardiac care to area college and professional sports teams.

Dr. Friedman earned his medical degree from Chicago Medical School. He trained at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with internship and residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease.

 

 

Dr. Eduardo A. Rodriguez Zoppi is a board-certified vascular surgeon specialized in treating diseases involving blood vessels, both arteries and veins. He manages cases with the carotid artery and with circulation to the lower extremities in patients with diabetes, as well as cases related to varicose veins. He has advanced skills in endovascular procedures treating blockages of the arteries and has worked with thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that causes compression of the vessels and nerves going to the arms. Dr. Zoppi is also trained for the management of complex aortic aneurysms, both in the chest and the abdomen, as well as aortic dissections. He has performed research in angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels to restore circulation to the lower extremities.

 

Dr. Rodriguez Zoppi earned his medical degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela, Ciudad Universitaria. He completed an internship and residency in surgery from University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship from University of South Florida College of Medicine in vascular surgery.

 

 

Dr. Julio G. Peguero is a cardiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute, board-certified in internal medicine cardiovascular disease, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound. A fascination by the physiology of the heart early in his life, led to his passion for the science of cardiology and treating heart conditions with the goal of giving patients and families back their confidence and quality of life.

 

A native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, he earned his medical degree at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, where he graduated with honors, Magna Cum Laude. He received subsequent training in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami where he was named best resident-fellow of the year on five separate occasions.

 

Mammen P. Zachariah, M.D., FACC, PACP, FSCAI, is an interventional cardiologist and director of the Cardiac Lab at Broward Health Imperial Point.

 

Dr. Zachariah has been with the Broward Health Physician Group for three years. He practices clinical cardiology and performs cardiac catheterizations, coronary angioplasty and stents. He offers educational lectures to the community to reinforce the importance of the patient’s role in preventing heart conditions through smoking cessation, stress management and healthy weight management.

 

Dr. Zachariah is certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Sub-Specialty Board of Cardiovascular Diseases. He received his medical degree from Medical College in Warrangel, AP, India, and completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Patterson, NJ, where he also completed his fellowship in cardiology.

 

 

Paul Rondino, M.D., is a board-certified cardiologist with more than 20 years of experience treating patients with cardiovascular disease. He has been on staff at Broward Health North since November 1996, served as chief of staff from 2009 to 2011 and is part of the Broward Health Physician Group.

 

Dr. Rondino specializes in non-interventional and clinical cardiology, including exercise treadmill testing, echocardiography, stress echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac rehabilitation, pacemaker programming and pharmacologic cardiac nuclear imaging.

 

Dr. Rondino has participated as a sub-investigator in almost 50 research studies. He serves as a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and is board certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

 

He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at the Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Rondino completed his fellowship in adult cardiology and was chief cardiology fellow at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame.

 

 

Faraaz Mushtaq, D.O., is a board-certified cardiologist and internal medicine physician. Dr. Mushtaq has been employed by Broward Health Physician Group since July 2013 and has practiced at Broward Health North since May 2017.

 

Specializing in clinical cardiology, Dr. Mushtaq focuses on both diagnostic and preventative cardiology. He incorporates testing and medication into his practice, as well as advocating for patient lifestyle modifications to optimize cardiac health.

 

Dr. Mushtaq uses implantable loop recorders to detect cardiac arrhythmias, which can cause fainting, palpitations and hidden heart rhythms that can lead to stroke. The newest generation of these devices are extremely small and non-obtrusive, smaller in length and width than the pinky finger.

 

A lifelong researcher, Dr. Mushtaq is currently working with Duke University to improve outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure. He is studying the effects of promoting positive behaviors in patients with congestive heart failure instead of treating them with new or experimental medications.

 

Dr. Mushtaq received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University and completed his internal medicine residency training at Palmetto General Hospital. He was chief cardiology fellow and fellow of the year at Broward Health Medical Center.

 

 

Violeta Atanasoski-McCormack, M.D., is the medical director of interventional cardiology at Broward Health Medical Center. She has been on staff for over 18 years and is a member of the Broward Health Physician Group. She is board certified in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology and internal medicine.

 

Dr. McCormack has received various awards, including the Mentor of the Year Award for the Cardiology Class of 2018 from Broward Health, the 2004 Most Valuable Physician Award from Broward Health Medical Center and the Harry Botwick Memorial Award for Cardiology Fellow of the Year.

 

Dr. McCormack earned her medical degree from the University of Edward Kardali School of Medicine in Slovenia. She completed her residency and a cardiology fellowship at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also completed an interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

 

Dr. McCormack is currently an associate clinical professor of medicine at the Nova Southeastern University and is affiliated with the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians.

 

 

Kenneth Herskowitz, M.D., is medical director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Broward Health Medical Center and part of the Broward Health Physician Group.

 

Dr. Herskowitz has performed more than 10,000 cardiovascular surgical procedures since 1986, and is an expert in the field of minimally-invasive aortic and mitral valve surgery, as well as beating heart surgery. He is the principal investigator on numerous research projects and has lectured and published extensively on heart and lung surgery.

 

Dr. Herskowitz was honored in 2007 by the American Heart Association for outstanding contributions to Cardiac Surgery in South Florida. He was also voted Top Doctor in Gold Coast Magazine for three consecutive years, starting in 2010.

 

Dr. Herskowitz received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he also completed his internship and residency in general surgery. He completed his fellowship in surgical metabolism at the University of Florida and served as chief resident of cardiothoracic surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

 

 

Jim LaFeir, DNP, RN, CCRN, CHFN, is a cardiac care nurse at Broward Health Medical Center with extensive experience in heart failure education and research.

 

In his role, LaFeir presents the most up-to-date information to his colleagues, sharing his knowledge and experience with other nursing professionals through education, simulation and research.

 

LaFeir helped the Coronary Bypass Surgery Program achieve Advanced Certification from the Joint Commission. He is also co-chair of the Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Committee at Broward Health Medical Center, and in 2014 founded the hospital’s Clinical Decision Unit, formerly known as the Chest Pain Decision Unit. He subsequently received awards from the South Florida Nurses Consortium and South Florida Nurses Association for his work.

 

LaFeir is an active member of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, a frequent collaborator on program and research grants and an adjunct professor at Barry University.

 

 

Michael Weinblatt, M.D., is a board-certified cardiologist and board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 35 years of experience in cardiology. Weinblatt is part of the Broward Health Physician Group.

 

Specializing in clinical and interventional cardiology at Broward Health Coral Springs, Weinblatt both diagnoses cardiac disease and treats heart attacks through valve replacement and opening blocked arteries. He performs coronary angiography, coronary catheterization, permanent and temporary pacemaker implantation and noninvasive cardiac procedures, as well as treats stenotic heart valves.

 

Weinblatt earned his medical degree from State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University and completed his residency training at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York. Following his residency, Weinblatt received his cardiovascular fellowship training at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, New York. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and a diplomate certified in the subspecialty of cardiovascular disease.