SSM Heart Institute cardiology medical group expansion includes fourteen cardiologists

ST. LOUIS – SSM Health Care – St. Louis has announced a significant expansion to the physician component of its SSM Heart Institute cardiology medical group. Fourteen cardiologists from three area practices formally joined SSM Heart Institute in October 2011. The groups and members joining SSM Heart Institute in practice are as follows:

Metro Heart Group of Clayton on the campus of SSM St. Mary’s Health Center
  • Phillip G. Apprill, MD  
  • Manoj K. Eapen, MD
  • Mark A. Friedman, MD
  • M. Kiran Kancherla, MD
  • Anish J. Thomas, MD
  • Richard B. Whiting, MD

Metro Heart Group of St. Peters
  • Darlene L. Eyster, MD
  • David J. Kardesch, MD
  • Robert Snitzer, MD
  • Mark D. Taber, MD

Midwest Cardiovascular Consultants in Bridgeton on the campus of SSM DePaul Health Center
  • Alok Katyal, MD
  • Ardaman S. Nanda, MD
  • Khalid Qayum, MD
  • Arun Venkat, MD

On Oct. 17, the above offices were renamed SSM Heart Institute; however, all contact information will remain the same. The cardiologists will continue to practice at the hospitals where they have privileges. They join in practice cardiothoracic surgeons Trevor Axford, MD; Stephen D’Orazio, MD; Seiichi Noda, MD; David Theodoro, MD; and electrophysiologist Christopher Bauer, MD.

“These cardiologists, already on staff at our hospitals in St. Louis, are recognized for their commitment to quality and service,” said Bob Porter, president of programs and services for SSM Health Care – St. Louis. “We believe that coming together as partners, united by our shared commitment to exceptional patient care, gives us the ability to transform care, improve quality, reduce unnecessary costs and create a more positive experience for our patients.”

In addition, SSM Heart Institute recently signed a co-management agreement with Patients First Health Care of Washington, Mo., for the leadership of cardiovascular services at SSM St. Clare Health Center in Fenton. Services are provided by cardiologists Michael Beardslee, MD; John Mohart, MD; Tim Schloss, MD; Brian Seeck, MD; and Michael Wood, MD.

The affiliations build on the arrangements that SSM Medical Group has established in St. Charles and Lincoln counties, where Elie Azrak, MD; Sami Bishara, MD; Georges Chahoud, MD; Lalit Chouhan, MD; Gregory Gabliani, MD; Samer Thanavaro, MD; Edward Weiss, MD; and Ali Ziaee, MD, provide cardiology services in concert with SSM Health Care.

SSM Heart Institute services are available at five SSM Health Care hospitals in St. Louis — DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, St. Clare Health Center in Fenton, St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake Saint Louis, and St. Mary’s Health Center in Richmond Heights.

Learn more about SSM Heart Institute cardiologists