Cardiology

Cardiology is one of the largest and most well respected departments at Watson Clinic. Since 1941, Watson Clinic has led the way in delivering the highest caliber care and the latest medical innovations to the communities we serve. Our cardiology department epitomizes these characteristics.

Today, the department performs over 4,000 diagnostic cardiac catherizations, more than 2,700 cardiac interventional procedures, over 6,000 pacemaker follow-ups, over 7,000 cardiac rehabilitation visits, and approximately 6,000 echo studies on an annual basis.

In 2003, the Clinic opened a new state-of-the-art outpatient Heart and Vascular Institute within the main building of the Watson Clinic, where they perform both cardiac and peripheral vascular studies. The following year, the Watson Clinic Echocardiology Lab became one of the first echo labs in the region to achieve a full three-year accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL).

By emphasizing an unparalleled quality of service, the most advanced clinical research, and the introduction of the latest innovative procedures to the community, the Watson Clinic’s cardiology department is a recognized and respected leader in the healthcare industry.

Our team consists of the area’s finest board-certified interventional and non-interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and a pediatric cardiologist, all of whom are assisted by a highly experienced assembly of nurses and additional specialists.

Non-Invasive Cardiologists collaborate with patients in an effort to prevent and manage their potential heart problems. Through a series of diagnostic tests – such as echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and stress tests – they can identify areas of concern, and prescribe medications or lifestyle modifications to treat those concerns. They also offer nuclear cardiology services, a process by which high resolution images are taken of the heart after the patient is injected with a harmless radioactive dye.

Invasive, Non-Interventional Cardiologists are trained in a diagnostic procedure called cardiac catheterization, which are used to find blockages of the arteries. If a blockage is found, the non-interventional cardiologist will refer the patient to an interventional cardiologist for whatever procedure is needed.

Interventional Cardiologists perform advanced invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty, coronary and peripheral stent placement to open narrowed arteries.

Electrophysiologists study the bio-electrical impulses that control the pace of one’s heartbeat. When these electrical impulses are not functioning properly, a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia may ensue. In addition to treating these conditions through surgical means such as ablation and pacemaker insertion, electrophysiologists may also recommend various drug therapies, and lifestyle and diet modifications.

Cardiologists refer cases that would benefit best from surgical intervention to the Watson Clinic Cardiothoracic Surgeons for care. Click here to read more about these surgeons. 

	Kevin Browne, Jr., MD, FACC Education: New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, NJ, MD Internship, Residency & Chief Residency: College Hospital, Newark, NJ Additional Education Activities: Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Cardiology and Electrophysiology Fellowship Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Subspecialty certifications in Cardiovascular Diseases, Electrophysiology, and Interventional Cardiology
	John G. Canto, MD, FACC Education: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX Fellowship: Cardiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology
	Douglas Ebersole, MD, FACC Education: University of Miami, MD Residency: Internal Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX Additional Education Activities: Fellowship, Cardiology, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Subspecialty Examination and Interventional Cardiology
	Jorge Gonzalez, MD, FACC Education: University of Miami School of Medicine, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham Additional Education Activities: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Clinical and Research Fellowships in Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Clinical Fellowship in Noninvasive Cardiovascular Techniques (Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology) Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Subspecialty board certification in Cardiovascular Diseases
	Neal G. Kavesh, MD, FACC Education: New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO Additional Educational Activities: Fellowship in Cardiology and Electrophysiology at Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO Board-certified in Internal Medicine; Subspecialty certifications in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiac Electrophysiology
	Joseph P. Massaro, DO, FACC Education: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, DO Internship & Residency: Internship, Peninsula Hospital, Queens, NE; Residency, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY Additional Educational Activities: Fellowship, Cardiology, Subspecialty, Interventional, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Brown Mills, NJ Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology
	Mark H. Mines, MD, FACC Education: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, MD Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Additional Educational Activities: Fellowships in Adult Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Board-certified in Internal Medicine; Subspecialty certification in Cardiovascular Diseases and Interventional Cardiology
	Sean P. O’Rourke, MD, FACC Education: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein/ Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY Additional Educational Activities: Fellowship, Cardiology, StonyBrook University Hospital, StonyBrook, NY Board-certified in Internal Medicine; Subspecialty certification in Cardiovascular Diseases; Nuclear Medicine certification
	Patrick Reddy, MD, FACC Education: St. Louis University Medical School, St. Louis, MO, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN Additional Educational Activities: Fellowship, Cardiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; Clinician Scientist Research Fellowship, American Heart Association, Florida Affiliate Board-certified in Internal Medicine; Subspecialty certification in Cardiovascular Diseases Board-certified in Nuclear Cardiology
	Christopher Simek, MD, FACC Education: Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY Additional Educational Activities: Fellowship, Cardiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA Board-certified in Internal Medicine; Subspecialty certification in Cardiovascular Diseases
	Ravi Srivastava, MD, FACC Education: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, MD Internship & Residency: Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH Additional Education Activities: University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Cardiology, Fellowship Board-certified in Internal Medicine; Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology

• Education: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
• Clinical Lipid Specialist
• Member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; AANP Certified Nurse Practitioner

• Education: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
• Specialty: ARNP Cardiology

• Education: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Florida Academy of Physician Assistants; American College of Cardiology- Cardiac Care Associate

Physicians