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 followups and approximately 6,000 echo studies on an annual basis.
 
In 2023, Watson Clinic became the first medical facility in the area to offer the Siemens Biograph Vision™, a next-generation PET/CT scanner that produces cardiac imaging with greater efficiency, accuracy and less radiation exposure than ever before. 
 
In 2004, 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). They’ve achieved re-accreditation status every three years since.
 
By emphasizing an unparalleled quality of service, and the most advanced clinical research, Watson Clinic’s cardiology department is a recognized and respected leader in the healthcare industry. They are also renowned for introducing the latest innovative procedures to the community, known as the Watchman, a device that replaces the need for blood thinners by significantly decreasing the risk of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
 
Additionally board-certified electrophysiologist Neal G. Kavesh, MD, FACC, FHRS and board-certified interventional cardiologist Douglas G. Ebersole, MD have become the first specialists in Central Florida to implant the Amulet™ device, a revolutionary new tool designed to prevent the risk of stroke. Patients who suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) as well as intolerance to long-term oral anticoagulation medications may benefit from the clinical trial of St. Jude's Medical Amulet™ device and Watson Clinic's partnership in the trial.
 
Our team consists of the area’s finest board-certified interventional and non-interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists, 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.


Dr. John Canto
John G. Canto, MD, FACC, MSPH
Dr. Canto's Brochure
  • Medical School: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, MD
  • Internship and Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship: University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Cardiology
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Echocardiography, Lipidology and Nuclear Cardiology
  • Fellow: American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Physicians Board-certified, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology

Dr. Joseph Coffman
  • Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL, MD
  • Residency: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, Cardiology
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease

Dr. Douglas Ebersole
  • Medical School: University of Miami, Miami, FL, MD
  • Residency: Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship: Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, Cardiology
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine
  • Fellow: American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology
  • Member: American Heart Association San Antonio Division Speaker's Bureau, Teleparty Committee, Program Committee Member and Board of Directors
  • Publications: Author of numerous publications

Dr. Neal Kavesh
Neal G. Kavesh, MD, FACC
  • Medical School: New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, MD
  • Internship and Residency: Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship: Washington University, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, MO, Cardiology and Electrophysiology
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Fellow: American College of Cardiology
  • Member: North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association

Dr. Mark Mines
Mark H. Mines, MD, FACC
  • Medical School: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, MD
  • Residency: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Adult Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases and Interventional Cardiology
  • Fellow: American College of Cardiology
  • Member: American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association

Dr. Zia Rab
Zia Rab, MD, FACC
  • Medical School: Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, MD
  • Residency: Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowships: Hofstra University Northwell School of Medicine, Manhasset, NY, Cardiovascular Disease; Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, Interventional Cardiology
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Interventional Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology, Adult Echocardiography, Endovascular Medicine
  • Member: Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology, National Board of Echocardiography, American Board of Vascular Medicine, Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI)

Dr. Patrick Reddy
Patrick J. Reddy, MD, FACC
  • Medical School: St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, MD
  • Internship and Residency: Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, Internal Medicine
  • Fellowships: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, Cardiology; American Heart Association, Tampa, FL, Research
  • Board-certified: Internal Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology
  • Fellow: American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American Society of Nuclear Medicine
  • Member: American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association




Please call 863-680-7490 for additional information.