Cardiologist
A fully trained physician with additional expertise, training and specialty board certification in cardiovascular medicine who is usually the attending physician responsible for overseeing your care and all your care decisions.  This includes ordering tests, performing procedures and communicating information and plans with the cardiovascular team, patients, your loved ones, and other physicians.

Consulting Physician
Sometimes also called a specialist, this physician may be asked to give an expert opinion on your particular diagnosis or plan of care.

Referring Physician
The physician who may have taken care of you for many years or who has recently become involved in your healthcare.  This physician is usually the one who “refers” or recommends that you have a particular study or diagnostic tests performed to evaluate for possible cardiovascular heath risks.  The cardiologist performing your procedure and interpreting your diagnostic test will discuss the results directly with you referring physician followed by a written final report.

Physician Assistant
A health care provider who has advanced education and training, and is licensed to provide medical care to you under the direction of an attending physician.  Also known as a P.A., this individual may take a medical history and perform a physical examination, provide care before, during and after procedures, and assist or perform procedures as directed by the attending physician.

Cardiovascular Nurse
A specially trained registered nurse who provides expert nursing care before, during and after cardiovascular testing and procedures.  A cardiovascular nurse will greet you prior to your procedure and monitor your vital signs and comfort level throughout your stay.  The nurse will prepare you for your procedure and provide information and education to you and your loved ones.

Cardiovascular Radiology Technologist
A licensed professional who has specialty education and training in performing imaging procedures of the cardiovascular system.  The “tech” is involved in setting up and operating equipment and maintaining safety standards, as well as recording data and images which will be reviewed by the cardiologist and included in your test results.

Cardiac Sonographer
A licensed professional (may also be referred to as an “echo tech”) is an expert in using ultrasound (sound waves) to capture details of the structure and movement of your heart, as well as blood flow through the valves and chambers of your heart.

Nuclear Technologist
A licensed professional who has specialty education and training in performing imaging procedures of the cardiovascular system with radioactive isotopes.  This technologist is highly trained in maintaining safety standards and obtaining images which are extremely useful to your diagnosis.

Cardiac Rehab Nurse
A registered nurse who is an important part of your recovery from a cardiac event and involved in planning and customizing a cardiac rehabilitation plan for you.  Working with your physician, the cardiac rehab nurse strives to optimize the quality of your life and modify risk factors through education and monitored physical activity.

Support Staff
From the moment you are referred to the Memorial Hospital Cardiovascular Center until you are discharged, support staff are working together to ensure efficiency, dissemination of information and seamless care.