Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

Cardiologists and Heart Doctors

The Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute’s (LCVI) team of experienced cardiologists and certified technologists work tirelessly to provide the latest breakthroughs in heart medicine in comfortable, patient-centered environments.

What Is a Cardiologist?

A cardiologist is a doctor trained to treat the diseases and issues of the cardiovascular system, comprised of the heart and blood vessels. They are qualified to treat conditions like heart attacks, heart valve disease, high blood pressure, and arrhythmia, and may also prescribe medications or recommend lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of cardiovascular issues.

When Should You See a Cardiologist?

There are a wide range of symptoms associated with cardiovascular issues. Consider making an appointment with a cardiologist if you are experiencing:

  • Chest pain, which could be due to a lack of oxygen to the heart
  • Leg pain or ulcers
  • Unusually rapid or slow heart rate
  • Shortness of breath

If you’re experiencing sudden, severe chest pain or pressure in the center or left side of the chest, call 911 right away.

What Diseases Do Cardiologists Treat?

Cardiologists treat a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including:

  • Atherosclerosis – A condition in which fats, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the arteries, causing the blockage of blood flow. Atherosclerosis often has no symptoms until the plaque bursts, causing a blood clot. Sufferers may experience leg pain, poor wound healing, or stroke.
  • Congenital heart disease – Refers to multiple defects in the heart’s structure that exist since birth. These affect the way blood flows through the heart, and can result in symptoms like abnormal heart rhythms, shortness of breath, and swollen tissue.
  • Hypertension – Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension occurs when the force of blood flow against the artery walls is considered too high. If left untreated, the condition can cause more serious issues like stroke and heart attack.
  • Ventricular tachycardia – A heart rhythm condition that is caused by atypical electrical signals in the ventricles, or the chambers of the heart. The condition causes the heart to beat very quickly, and symptoms can include chest pain, dizziness, and fainting.

What to Expect When Seeing a Cardiologist?

The diagnosis of a cardiovascular condition usually begins in consultation with your primary care provider, who will refer you to a cardiologist. During your first appointment, your cardiologist may perform a physical exam or request tests like electrocardiograms or blood tests. They will also ask about your medical history and any existing risk factors.

It’s also important to think about your concerns and the information you’d like to receive. Some questions you might consider asking your cardiologist include:

  • What are my risk factors?
  • What is the next step in my treatment?
  • What measures can I take to reduce my risk for cardiovascular conditions?

Cardiologists and Heart Doctors Near Me in Rhode Island

The cardiac team at the Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute at Rhode Island, The Miriam, and Newport hospitals in Rhode Island deliver the highest level of cardiac care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To schedule an appointment, fill out our online form or call 1-855-332-8474.

Find a cardiologist quickly by clicking on one of these specialties:

Physicians

Brian G. Abbott, MD Headshot

Brian G. Abbott, MD

Associate Chief of Cardiology, Clinical Excellence and Operations, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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J. Dawn Abbott, MD Headshot

J. Dawn Abbott, MD

Director, Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Christina Al Malouf, MD Headshot

Christina Al Malouf, MD

Cardiologist

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Karen E. Aspry, MD Headshot

Karen E. Aspry, MD

Director, Lipid and Prevention Program

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Douglas M. Burtt, MD Headshot

Douglas M. Burtt, MD

Medical Director Inpatient Services, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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George T. Charlton, MD, FACC Headshot

George T. Charlton, MD, FACC

Cardiologist

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Gaurav Choudhary, MD Headshot

Gaurav Choudhary, MD

Medical Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute Clinical Trials Office

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Thomas F. Crain, MD Headshot

Thomas F. Crain, MD

Cardiologist

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Matthew J. Franco, MD Headshot

Matthew J. Franco, MD

Cardiologist

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Katharine A. French, MD Headshot

Katharine A. French, MD

Director, Women's Cardiac Center

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Paul Gordon, MD Headshot

Paul Gordon, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Jessica L. Guidi, MD Headshot

Jessica L. Guidi, MD

Cardiologist

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Ned H. Gutman, MD Headshot

Ned H. Gutman, MD

Cardiologist

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Philip G. Haines, MD Headshot

Philip G. Haines, MD

Director, Structural and Interventional Echocardiography and Associate Director, Echocardiography Laboratory, Rhode Island Hospital

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Omar N. Hyder, MD Headshot

Omar N. Hyder, MD

Director, Vascular Imaging, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Tasnim F. Imran, MD Headshot

Tasnim F. Imran, MD

Cardiologist

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Rachna Kataria, MD Headshot

Rachna Kataria, MD

Cardiologist

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Matthew A. Kluge, MD Headshot

Matthew A. Kluge, MD

Cardiologist

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Jon Lambrecht, MD Headshot

Jon Lambrecht, MD

Cardiologist

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William A. Levin, MD, FACC Headshot

William A. Levin, MD, FACC

Cardiologist

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Daniel J. Levine, MD Headshot

Daniel J. Levine, MD

Director, Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program

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Christopher J. Luttmann, MD Headshot

Christopher J. Luttmann, MD

Cardiologist

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Shafiq T. Mamdani, MD Headshot

Shafiq T. Mamdani, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Susan McIlvaine, MD Headshot

Susan McIlvaine, MD

Cardiologist

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Andrew A. Nowak, MD Headshot

Andrew A. Nowak, MD

Cardiologist

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Yash Patel, MD Headshot

Yash Patel, MD

Cardiologist

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Daniel M. Philbin, Jr., MD, FACC, FHRS Headshot

Daniel M. Philbin, Jr., MD, FACC, FHRS

Director of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

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Athena Poppas, MD Headshot

Athena Poppas, MD

Chief of Cardiology and Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Verity Ramirez, MD Headshot

Verity Ramirez, MD

Cardiologist

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James F. Robertson, MD Headshot

James F. Robertson, MD

Cardiologist

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Nishant R. Shah, MD, MPH Headshot

Nishant R. Shah, MD, MPH

Cardiologist

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Kayle Shapero, MD, PhD Headshot

Kayle Shapero, MD, PhD

Cardiologist

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Barry L. Sharaf, MD Headshot

Barry L. Sharaf, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Christopher Song, MD Headshot

Christopher Song, MD

Director of Cardiovascular Imaging

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Peter A. Soukas, MD Headshot

Peter A. Soukas, MD

Director, Peripheral Vascular Interventional Laboratory, The Miriam Hospital

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Philip H. Stockwell, MD Headshot

Philip H. Stockwell, MD

Associate Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute Heart Failure Center

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Estelle Torbey, MD Headshot

Estelle Torbey, MD

Electrophysiologist/Cardiologist

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Cao T. Tran, MD Headshot

Cao T. Tran, MD

Electrophysiologist/Cardiologist

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Marilyn J. Weigner, MD Headshot

Marilyn J. Weigner, MD

Director, Outpatient Services, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Joseph B. Weiss, MD, PhD Headshot

Joseph B. Weiss, MD, PhD

Cardiologist

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Michael Wu, MD Headshot

Michael Wu, MD

Electrophysiologist/Cardiologist

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Wen-Chih "Hank" Wu, MD Headshot

Wen-Chih "Hank" Wu, MD

Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Wellness and Prevention Center

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Joseph A. Wyllie, DO Headshot

Joseph A. Wyllie, DO

Cardiologist

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Advanced Practice Providers

Roxann Auteri-Pereira, RN, MSN, APRN Headshot

Roxann Auteri-Pereira, RN, MSN, APRN

Nurse Practitioner

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Lisa A. Bonin, MSN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC Headshot

Lisa A. Bonin, MSN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

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Linda Dangol, MSN, FNP-C Headshot

Linda Dangol, MSN, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practioner

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Sherrye L. Durante, MS, FNP-BC Headshot

Sherrye L. Durante, MS, FNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

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Kimberly Aime Durette, MPAS, PA-C Headshot

Kimberly Aime Durette, MPAS, PA-C

Physician Assistant

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Michelle K. Finkelman, MSN, APRN-CNP Headshot

Michelle K. Finkelman, MSN, APRN-CNP

Nurse Practioner

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Jamil Rashid Halaby III, MS, APRN-CNP, AGNP-C Headshot

Jamil Rashid Halaby III, MS, APRN-CNP, AGNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

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Jessica Ho, MSN, NP, RN Headshot

Jessica Ho, MSN, NP, RN

Family Nurse Practitioner

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Cayla Richardson, MS, FNP-BC Headshot

Cayla Richardson, MS, FNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

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Cally Rodrigues, PA-C Headshot

Cally Rodrigues, PA-C

Physician Assistant

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Megan Rowe PA-C Headshot

Megan Rowe PA-C

Physician Assistant

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Nancy E. Stone, PhD, APRN Headshot

Nancy E. Stone, PhD, APRN

Nurse Practitioner

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George T. Charlton, MD, FACC Headshot

George T. Charlton, MD, FACC

Cardiologist

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Wen-Chih "Hank" Wu, MD Headshot

Wen-Chih "Hank" Wu, MD

Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Wellness and Prevention Center

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Mark J. Cunningham, MD Headshot

Mark J. Cunningham, MD

Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital

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Afshin Ehsan, MD, MBA Headshot

Afshin Ehsan, MD, MBA

Co-Director of Quality, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, and Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rhode Island and The Miriam Hospitals

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Frank W. Sellke, MD Headshot

Frank W. Sellke, MD

Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

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Neel R. Sodha, MD Headshot

Neel R. Sodha, MD

Director, Lifespan Thoracic Aortic Center; Director, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit; and Surgical Director, ECMO and Mechanical Circulatory Support

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Physicians

Daniel M. Philbin, Jr., MD, FACC, FHRS Headshot

Daniel M. Philbin, Jr., MD, FACC, FHRS

Director of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology

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Estelle Torbey, MD Headshot

Estelle Torbey, MD

Electrophysiologist/Cardiologist

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Cao T. Tran, MD Headshot

Cao T. Tran, MD

Electrophysiologist/Cardiologist

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Michael Wu, MD Headshot

Michael Wu, MD

Electrophysiologist/Cardiologist

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Advanced Practice Providers

Erica J. Cabral, MSN, AGACNP-BC  Headshot

Erica J. Cabral, MSN, AGACNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

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Rebecca J. Ginsburg, PA-C Headshot

Rebecca J. Ginsburg, PA-C

Physician Assistant

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Default Photo

Rainier Joseph Ponce, NP

Certified Nurse Practitioner

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J. Dawn Abbott, MD Headshot

J. Dawn Abbott, MD

Director, Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Douglas M. Burtt, MD Headshot

Douglas M. Burtt, MD

Medical Director Inpatient Services, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Paul Gordon, MD Headshot

Paul Gordon, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Omar N. Hyder, MD Headshot

Omar N. Hyder, MD

Director, Vascular Imaging, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Shafiq T. Mamdani, MD Headshot

Shafiq T. Mamdani, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Marwan S. Saad, MD, PhD, FACC, FSCAI, FESC Headshot

Marwan S. Saad, MD, PhD, FACC, FSCAI, FESC

Director, Interventional Structural Heart Research, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Barry L. Sharaf, MD Headshot

Barry L. Sharaf, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Mitchel A. Sklar, MD Headshot

Mitchel A. Sklar, MD

Cardiologist

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Peter A. Soukas, MD Headshot

Peter A. Soukas, MD

Director, Peripheral Vascular Interventional Laboratory, The Miriam Hospital

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Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula, MD, MSc Headshot

Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula, MD, MSc

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Physicians

Jessica L. Guidi, MD Headshot

Jessica L. Guidi, MD

Cardiologist

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Daniel J. Levine, MD Headshot

Daniel J. Levine, MD

Director, Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program

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Rachna Kataria, MD Headshot

Rachna Kataria, MD

Cardiologist

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Philip H. Stockwell, MD Headshot

Philip H. Stockwell, MD

Associate Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute Heart Failure Center

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Advanced Practice Providers

Alexandra Poll, PA-C, MSPAS Headshot

Alexandra Poll, PA-C, MSPAS

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Anne Silbert, MSN, AGACNP-BC Headshot

Anne Silbert, MSN, AGACNP-BC

Nurse Practioner

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J. Dawn Abbott, MD Headshot

J. Dawn Abbott, MD

Director, Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Omar N. Hyder, MD Headshot

Omar N. Hyder, MD

Director, Vascular Imaging, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

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Shafiq T. Mamdani, MD Headshot

Shafiq T. Mamdani, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Peter A. Soukas, MD Headshot

Peter A. Soukas, MD

Director, Peripheral Vascular Interventional Laboratory, The Miriam Hospital

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Karen E. Aspry, MD Headshot

Karen E. Aspry, MD

Director, Lipid and Prevention Program

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George T. Charlton, MD, FACC Headshot

George T. Charlton, MD, FACC

Cardiologist

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Default Photo

Wenliang Song, MD, MTR, FNLA

Director of Lipid Research

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Wen-Chih "Hank" Wu, MD Headshot

Wen-Chih "Hank" Wu, MD

Director, Lifespan Cardiovascular Wellness and Prevention Center

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Physicians

Afshin Ehsan, MD, MBA Headshot

Afshin Ehsan, MD, MBA

Co-Director of Quality, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, and Director of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rhode Island and The Miriam Hospitals

More
Paul Gordon, MD Headshot

Paul Gordon, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Marwan S. Saad, MD, PhD, FACC, FSCAI, FESC Headshot

Marwan S. Saad, MD, PhD, FACC, FSCAI, FESC

Director, Interventional Structural Heart Research, Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute

More
Barry L. Sharaf, MD Headshot

Barry L. Sharaf, MD

Interventional Cardiologist

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Frank W. Sellke, MD Headshot

Frank W. Sellke, MD

Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

More
Neel R. Sodha, MD Headshot

Neel R. Sodha, MD

Director, Lifespan Thoracic Aortic Center; Director, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit; and Surgical Director, ECMO and Mechanical Circulatory Support

More

Advanced Practice Providers

Leslie Kenney, NP Headshot

Leslie Kenney, NP

Nurse Practitioner

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Karen E. Aspry, MD Headshot

Karen E. Aspry, MD

Director, Lipid and Prevention Program

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Katharine A. French, MD Headshot

Katharine A. French, MD

Director, Women's Cardiac Center

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