Category: Business

By Anu Varma Panchal

Fifteen years ago, a cardiologist who wanted to approach patients with compassion, dignity and integrity decided that the only way to do things right was to set up his own practice. So, cardiologist Sunil Gupta, M.D., FACC, of Premier Heart & Vascular Center, did just that.

Today, that practice has grown from one physician and one supporting staff member in an office in Zephyrhills to four offices — as Lakeland, Dade City and Wesley Chapel (in the Summergate Professional Park behind Sam’s Club, off S.R. 56) already have been added, with a fifth office set to open in Carrollwood later this month. Dr. Gupta has been joined by three other cardiologists, and the four physicians are supported by a team of 30 physician assistants, nurses and other support staff members.

“What makes our offices different is that we make the patients the focus,” says Michele Gordon, a physician assistant who has worked for Premier Heart & Vascular Center for seven years. “On a daily basis, everything we do is what we can to take care of the patients and do the best for them. Dr. Gupta has always done the right thing and patients notice (that). Our office is the fastest-growing cardiology practice around.”

Dr. Gupta is Board-certified in cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology, and is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Intervention. In addition to serving as a cardiology Fellow at the Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, NJ, and an interventional cardiology Fellow at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY, Dr. Gupta also has worked at a group cardiology practice in Saginaw, MI. His special interests are in the areas of coronary and peripheral angioplasty and stenting, as well as pacemakers and defibrillators. In addition, Dr. Gupta was included in a listing of “Super Doctors for Florida,” a designation awarded by MSP Communications that takes into consideration a physician’s education, achievements, involvement and leadership.

Although Dr. Gupta says he went into the field of medicine because of the influence of several family members in the same line of work, it was his own passion for cardiac medicine that led him to his specialty.
“In cardiology, we genuinely get to help patients,” Dr. Gupta says. “People can die if we don’t do what we do. We see the results right away, (which is) a gratifying feeling. On a daily basis, we deal with life and death. We actually make a positive impact on (our patients’ lives) and on society.”

Dr. Gupta is joined in his practice by cardiologists Dr. Ketul Chauhan, Dr. Chetan Khamare and Dr. Vikas Soma. Dr. Chauhan is Board-certified in cardiovascular diseases and nuclear medicine, and is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography & Intervention. He completed his cardiology fellowships at the University of South Florida in Tampa. His specialties include coronary and peripheral angioplasty and stenting, pacemakers and defibrillators and valvuplasty.

Dr. Khamare is Board-certified in cardiovascular diseases, interventional medicine and nuclear medicine and did his fellowships at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Dr. Khamare is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Intervention, and is especially interested in coronary and peripheral angioplasty and stenting, congestive heart failure and peripheral vascular disease.

Dr. Soma is interested in radial artery interventions, coronary and peripheral vascular interventions and pacemakers. He has numerous Board certifications, including cardiology diseases, interventional cardiology, endovascular medicine, echocardiography, nuclear medicine and registered physician vascular interpretation (RPVI). He is a member of the American College of Cardiology and American Society of Echocardiography and completed his cardiology fellowships at the New York Medical College at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, and at St. Luke’s Hospital at Columbia University in New York City.

Character & Cardiology
When he searched for the perfect physicians and other staff members to join his practice, Dr. Gupta says that the philosophy of prospective colleagues was the first criterion.

“All of our physicians are well-trained and well-certified,” he says. “They care for patients with a high degree of integrity, but even before the quality of their work, we look for character.”

The physicians not only give frequent lectures and talks at area hospitals, they keep up to date with the latest news in the field, says Dr. Gupta.

“People are living longer, [and] more people are having heart disease,” he says. “There’s more awareness of signs and symptoms [and more people] seeking treatment. New technologies and new medications continue to come out. We’re interested in those new technologies, procedures, medicines and devices.”

The doctors at Premier Heart & Vascular also are involved in a Harvard Medical School study on a new heart medication, the Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial.

“We stay up to date and are familiar with the latest and newest,” Dr. Gupta says. “Some of the treatments offered here include therapy for congenital heart failure, heart catheterization through the forearm and the presence of an ECP (External Counter Pulsation) Machine, that can treat angina episodes in a non-invasive manner.

“Patients who come to us will feel well-respected and well-attended-to,” says Dr. Gupta. “They go home with a very positive experience.”

Katherine Strode says she has been a patient of Dr. Gupta’s for about 10 years (and also has seen Dr. Khamare more recently), and in the years since she has started seeing Dr. Gupta, the 72-year-old Zephyrhills resident has managed to get off her diuretic and blood pressure medications completely, thanks to a combination of treatment, diet and lifestyle changes that the doctors have helped her with from the beginning.

“They really take an interest,” Strode says. “It’s not a take-a-number thing. They make you feel like you’re somebody. Their staff is wonderful. I think they’re top notch (doctors) and it’s a tribute to (the) practice. (Dr. Gupta) runs a very well organized office there. If there’s ever been a problem, we get a call back in an appropriate length of time, and with it being your heart, that’s important!”

Dr. Gupta adds that Premier Heart & Vascular Center patients are pleased about the practice’s short wait times, quick appointments, prompt evaluations and same-day testing results.
“Our biggest strength is the positive, family-oriented culture in the office,” he says. “Patients who walk in can feel it.”

Strode and her husband William concur with that statement.

“It doesn’t feel like we’re going to the doctor,” William. “It feels like we’re visiting friends.”

In fact, the only real “problem” the Strodes say they have now is that they have recommended Premier Heart & Vascular to so many friends that Katherine says they have to beat their friends to an appointment these days.

“You really feel like you’re a part of the family,” says Mignone. “Everyone feels important. Everyone feels that their position is important and makes a difference in terms of patient care.”

There are four Premier Heart & Vascular Centers in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Dade City and at 27424 Cashford Cir. in Wesley Chapel. The Carrollwood location is expected to open later this month at 3333 W. Bearss Ave. The group also owns the Vein Center of Wesley Chapel (26827 Foggy Creek Rd., Suite 103). For more information or to make an appointment, call 788-1400.