Platte Valley adds cardiac expertise to catch up, keep up with growth

Platte Valley recently added three cardiac interventionists to ensure patients who need either emergency or general cardiac care can receive the expertise they need close to home.

“The community is fast growing, but really, it’s more than that,” said Chris Cannon, MD, Platte Valley Cath Lab medical director. “Patients with peripheral vascular disease and complex emergencies, such as pulmonary embolisms, have been underserved in this community. With these new hires, we’re both anticipating community needs and catching up.”

He continued with a laugh, “You know, hiring can be a crapshoot, but we hit three homeruns here. All three are personable, interested in advancing care and engaged with their patients. They have exceptional skill. And these young guys are so energetic!”

Brian Allen, MD: Allen is dual-fellowship trained in Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology and provides a full range of procedures. His passions are peripheral and coronary artery disease, as well as preventive cardiology. Cannon says he’s friendly and his patients rave about him.

Peter Boulos, MD: Boulos has advanced fellowship training in Cardiovascular Disease, and Interventional and Structural Interventional Cardiology. His clinical interests include coronary artery disease, structural heart disease and cardiovascular physiology. While he will perform advanced valve procedures at Saint Joseph, all pre- and post-surgery testing and imaging will be completed at Platte Valley. Cannon says his energy and enthusiasm elevate the team.

Shaheer Zulfiqar, MD: Zulfiqar is dual-fellowship trained in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology and specializes in complex coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Cannon describes him as very sharp and a staff favorite.

These three specialists join Cannon, Don Rabor, MD, and Sharan Sharma, MD, in a comprehensive and highly specialized program that Cannon says is eager to help and ready to grow.

“Our No.1 complaint from new patients is that they can’t get into the larger systems to see their doctor when they know something’s wrong,” Cannon said. “This team solves that problem for patients and referring physicians in the Brighton area.”

And it’s not done expanding. Platte Valley plans to add another general cardiologist this fall and will hire a third member of the APP team, joining Megan Rowe, PA, and Kristina Lewis, PA.

Physicians are invited to reach out to the cardiologist on call or any member of the team via Epic or Secure Chat if they have a patient to refer, have questions about whether a patient’s needs are cardiac or pulmonary, or are unsure whether a patient even needs a consult.

They also can contact Cannon directly with any questions about this growing program by clicking here.