Rooney Heart Institute

Centers of Excellence

We’ve been pioneering advanced cardiac procedures for nearly 25 years. As a Center of Excellence, the NCH Rooney Heart Institute (RHI) is committed to providing the highest quality of cardiovascular care in Southwest Florida. Our award-winning institute is recognized for its Code Save-A-Heart-Program, Open Heart Surgery Program, Structure Heart Program (TAVR and WATCHMAN), and state-of-the-art technology.

The RHI team of accredited physicians and staff responds to cardiac emergencies in record time-faster than the national standard. We also pride ourselves on our complete care model, which accounts for a patient’s mind, heart, and body. This comprehensive approach to your health puts us at the heart of what matters most.

What is a

Center of Excellence?

A Center of Excellence is a program of highly dedicated clinicians focused on a specific service or disease state to ensure delivery of the highest standards of care. At NCH, our Centers of Excellence are led by a multidisciplinary team of experts, who work collaboratively to provide the best diagnostic and contemporary treatment options. We take this designation seriously, as we are deeply committed to delivering exceptional care and outcomes for every patient and their experience.

Why Choose A

Center of Excellence?

Quality of Care

Innovative Treatments

Concentrated expertise

When you visit a Center of Excellence, you’re entrusting your most valuable asset-your health-to a team of experts dedicated to providing the highest level of care.

Rooney Heart Institute Centers of Excellence

Clinical Trials

Stay informed about the latest advances in cardiovascular care. Access innovative treatments and technologies through clinical trials—often before they are widely available—and find out how they could make a difference in your care.

Our Comprehensive Team

Robert J. Cubeddu, MD

Section Head, Structural Heart Disease & President of NCH Rooney Heart Institute

Thomas Caranasos, MD

Vice President, NCH Rooney Heart Institute; Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Mazen Albaghdadi, MD

Interventional and Structural Cardiologist

David Axline, MD

Cardiac Imager

Steven Deutsch, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Stephen D’Orazio, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Adam Frank, MD

Interventional and Structural Cardiology

Travis Howard, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Joseph Lamelas, MD

Director of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

Viviana Navas, MD

Section Head of Heart Failure &
Program Director Cardiology Fellowship

Carl Orringer, MD

Director, Cardiac Prevention; Expert Lipidologist

Luis H. Paz Rios, MD

Interventional and Structural Cardiologist

Robert Pascotto, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Dinesh Sharma, MD

Electrophysiology

Vincent Siebert, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Brian Solomon, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Samantha Sublette, MD

Electrophysiology

Dee Dee Wang, MD

Structural Cardiac Imager

Aimee Pantaleon, APRN-BC

Structural Heart NP

Kimberly S. Lamelas, APRN

Sandra Kreul, ARNP

Navigator Cardiac Prevention

Vanessa Russino, APRN-BC

Structural Heart NP, SH Valve Coordinator

Catrina, RN

RN Navigator

Lindsay, RN

RN Navigator

Stephanie Townsley

Executive Coordinator NCH Rooney Heart Institute

David

Scheduler

Deborah

Scheduler

Eleanor

Scheduler

Kimberly S. Lamelas, APRN

Sandra Kreul, ARNP

Navigator Cardiac Prevention

Vanessa Russino, APRN-BC

Structural Heart NP, SH Valve Coordinator

Catrina, RN

RN Navigator

Lindsay, RN

RN Navigator

Stephanie Townsley

Executive Coordinator NCH Rooney Heart Institute

David

Scheduler

Deborah

Scheduler

Eleanor

Scheduler

Our Comprehensive Team

Robert J. Cubeddu, MD

Section Head, Structural Heart Disease & President of NCH Rooney Heart Institute

Thomas Caranasos, MD

Vice President, NCH Rooney Heart Institute; Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Mazen Albaghdadi, MD

Interventional and Structural Cardiologist

David Axline, MD

Cardiac Imager

Steven Deutsch, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Stephen D’Orazio, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Adam Frank, MD

Interventional and Structural Cardiology

Travis Howard, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Joseph Lamelas, MD

Director of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

Viviana Navas, MD

Section Head of Heart Failure &
Program Director Cardiology Fellowship

Carl Orringer, MD

Director, Cardiac Prevention; Expert Lipidologist

Luis H. Paz Rios, MD

Interventional and Structural Cardiologist

Robert Pascotto, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Dinesh Sharma, MD

Electrophysiology

Vincent Siebert, MD

Interventional Cardiology

Brian Solomon, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Samantha Sublette, MD

Electrophysiology

Dee Dee Wang, MD

Structural Cardiac Imager

Aimee Pantaleon, APRN-BC

Structural Heart NP

Kimberly S. Lamelas, APRN

Sandra Kreul, ARNP

Navigator Cardiac Prevention

Vanessa Russino, APRN-BC

Structural Heart NP, SH Valve Coordinator

Catrina, RN

RN Navigator

Lindsay, RN

RN Navigator

Stephanie Townsley

Executive Coordinator NCH Rooney Heart Institute

David

Scheduler

Deborah

Scheduler

Eleanor

Scheduler

Rooney Heart Institute

Centers of Excellence

What is a

Center of Excellence?

Why Choose A

Center of Excellence?

Quality of Care

Innovative Treatments

Concentrated expertise

Rooney Heart Institute Centers of Excellence

Clinical Trials

Our Comprehensive Team

Robert J. Cubeddu, MD

Thomas Caranasos, MD

Mazen Albaghdadi, MD

David Axline, MD

Steven Deutsch, MD

Stephen D’Orazio, MD

Adam Frank, MD

Travis Howard, MD

Joseph Lamelas, MD

Viviana Navas, MD

Carl Orringer, MD

Luis H. Paz Rios, MD

Robert Pascotto, MD

Dinesh Sharma, MD

Vincent Siebert, MD

Brian Solomon, MD

Samantha Sublette, MD

Dee Dee Wang, MD

Aimee Pantaleon, APRN-BC

Kimberly S. Lamelas, APRN

Sandra Kreul, ARNP

Vanessa Russino, APRN-BC

Catrina, RN

Lindsay, RN

Stephanie Townsley

David

Deborah

Eleanor

Our Comprehensive Team

Locations

NCH Bonita Beach Cardiology

NCH Briggs Cardiology

NCH Creekside Cardiology

NCH Northeast Cardiology

Cardiac Rehab Locations

NCH Bonita Beach Cardiac Rehab

NCH Briggs Cardiac Rehab

NCH Marco Island Cardiac Rehab

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