USA Health Cardiology relocates and expands services, adds new providers
“These additions to our team will allow us to treat patients in a timely manner with the best tools and expertise,” said Nasser Lakkis, M.Sc.-M.D., FACC.
By Michelle Ryan
mryan@health.southalabama.edu
USA Health Cardiology moved from its location at Dauphin and I-65 last week to the new physician office building behind USA Health’s freestanding emergency department on Hillcrest. Providers began seeing patients there on July 1, 2024.
Along with this move, the clinic will add new healthcare providers to better meet patient demand, and it will expand its services, according to Nasser Lakkis, M.Sc.-M.D., FACC, cardiologist and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at USA Health.
“We have added five cardiologists to our team, including a nationally renowned new division chief of cardiology,” he said. “This clinic will allow us to provide quick appointments to our patients, and we will be capable of seeing urgent and emergent patients during the day.”
These new physicians bring knowledge in cardiac imaging, structural and interventional cardiology, and advanced heart failure. Lakkis is skilled in treating patients with symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a complex type of heart disease that affects the heart muscle and can cause thickening, stiffness, and other changes.
Luanda Grazette, M.D., the incoming division chief of cardiology, has extensive training and experience in heart failure, transplantation, and recovery. A native of Alabama, she earned a medical degree and a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University. She is set to join USA Health in August 2024.
“These additions to our team will allow us to treat patients in a timely manner with the best tools and expertise,” said Lakkis, who is also a professor of internal medicine in the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine. “They will also create a superb training environment for our residents and fellows and allow us to recruit the best talent to Alabama.”
For patients, the new location also provides convenient access to care through the Freestanding Emergency Department, USA Mobile Diagnostic Center, and nearby Providence Hospital.
“Our new location will provide a one-stop shop to our patients, five days a week, where they can get evaluated and undergo necessary noninvasive testing in the same visit,” Lakkis said. “We will be closer to Providence Hospital, which allows our team to provide advanced cardiac care in a modern facility.”
USA Health Cardiology, located at 6300 USA Health Blvd., second floor, is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 251-873-6280.
