Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Vincent Nicchi, MD, FACC, is an interventional cardiologist at Cardiac Care Consultants in Peoria, Glendale, and Sun City West, Arizona.
Dr. Nicchi has been serving Sun City and Sun City West residents since 1987. He came to Sun City in 1987 after completing a cardiology fellowship at Deborah Heart & Lung Institute in Browns Mills, New Jersey. Dr. Nicchi received his undergraduate training at Brooklyn College and his medical degree from Northeastern University in Tampico, Mexico, and his Fifth Pathway from Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. His postgraduate training included an internal medicine internship and residency at Maimonides Medical Center, also in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Nicchi is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and nuclear medicine. He specializes in coronary artery disease, heart failure, pacemaker implants, and loop implants.
Dr. Nicchi is currently accepting new patients and welcomes them to Cardiac Care Consultants. Call the office or schedule an appointment online.
About Ashim Aggarwal, MD, FRCP (London), FACC, FSCAI, FASE
Ashim Aggarwal, MD, FRCP (London), FACC, FSCAI, FASE, is board certified in general cardiology, echocardiography, nuclear medicine, and interventional cardiology. Dr. Aggarwal joined Cardiac Care Consultants in Peoria, Glendale, and Sun City West, Arizona, in 2018.
He specializes in complex coronary interventions, including Impella LVAD support and percutaneous structural heart disease treatment, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis, MitralClip™ therapy for severe mitral regurgitation, CardioMEMS™ HF System, Watchman™ implantation, and PFO Closures.
Dr. Aggarwal went to medical school at KMC Mangalore (Manipal University) in India. He then finished his residency and obtained the prestigious MRCP (MD equivalent) from the Royal College of London in the United Kingdom. He then relocated to the United States and completed his internal medicine residency at Unity Health System, affiliated with the University of Rochester in New York.
Afterward, he completed an advanced heart failure/cardiac transplant fellowship from Advocate Christ Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Illinois. Dr. Aggarwal did his general cardiology fellowship at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, where he was appointed a Chief Cardiology Fellow. He then completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Aggarwal has published extensively and has authored multiple articles/manuscripts in many prestigious peer-reviewed journals. He has also presented abstracts and oral presentations at all major national and international cardiology conferences.
Dr. Aggarwal is an External Examiner for Residency/Fellows training programs in the United Kingdom. He was also nominated in the prestigious Top Doctors 2021.
Jeffrey Pakula, DO, FACC, is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology. He provides a wide range of cardiology services at Cardiac Care Consultants in Peoria, and Sun City West, Arizona. Dr. Pakula has been practicing medicine in Arizona since 1997 and joined Cardiac Care Consultants in 2001. He specializes in coronary artery disease and heart failure.
Dr. Pakula received his medical degree from Kansas City University in Missouri. He completed his internal medicine training at the University of Illinois and received his cardiology fellowship at the University of Health Sciences at the Chicago Medical School in Illinois. After completing his fellowship, he served as the Director of Medical Education at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Pakula welcomes both new and existing patients to Cardiac Care Consultants and is excited to be a part of their health care journey. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Pakula, call the office or book a consultation online
Dr Balakrishnan is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates. He is thorough, compassionate, and unwavering in his commitment to providing quality care for his patients.
Dr Balakrishnan was born and raised in Coimbatore, India. He completed his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, India, and moved to the United States to pursue further medical training. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - South Campus and his Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology fellowships at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Campus hospitals. He is the recipient of several awards throughout his training, including outstanding performance in Cardiology and Electrophysiology, outstanding graduating fellow in Cardiology, and the Mark J. Friedman Outstanding Fellow Award. He also served as the chief fellow during his Cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona. He has authored numerous publications in Cardiology and Electrophysiology and has presented at several national and international conferences.
Dr Balakrishnan joined the practice in 2024. He is trained in complex device implants, ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and laser lead extractions.
Mohamed Abdelrahman, MD, is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates, with locations in Phoenix, Avondale, Tempe, Chandler, Sun City, Dewey, and Prescott Valley, Arizona. Dr. Abdelrahman joined the team in 2020 and is well-known for his exceptional rapport and dedication to his patients. He strives and is committed to providing compassionate, sincere, and honest patient care.
Dr. Abdelrahman was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He earned his medical degree from Ain Shams University, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in Egypt. He then pursued further medical training in the United States and completed his internal medicine residency at the University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, and his cardiology training at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. During his training, Dr. Abdelrahman was acknowledged by receiving multiple awards, including the Fellow of the Year award and the award for Academic Excellence.
To further his training, Dr. Abdelrahman completed his cardiac electrophysiology training at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. He was specially trained in advanced electrophysiology diagnostic and management techniques, including complex ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and robotic-assisted mapping and ablation. He also trained in complex device implantation, including biventricular devices, bundle pacing subcutaneous defibrillators, leadless pacemakers, and complex laser lead extraction.
Dr. Abdelrahman also actively participates in research and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He has authored numerous manuscripts and abstracts and has presented in multiple national and international cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology meetings.
Dr Balakrishnan is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates. He is thorough, compassionate, and unwavering in his commitment to providing quality care for his patients.
Dr Balakrishnan was born and raised in Coimbatore, India. He completed his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, India, and moved to the United States to pursue further medical training. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - South Campus and his Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology fellowships at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Campus hospitals. He is the recipient of several awards throughout his training, including outstanding performance in Cardiology and Electrophysiology, outstanding graduating fellow in Cardiology, and the Mark J. Friedman Outstanding Fellow Award. He also served as the chief fellow during his Cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona. He has authored numerous publications in Cardiology and Electrophysiology and has presented at several national and international conferences.
Dr Balakrishnan joined the practice in 2024. He is trained in complex device implants, ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and laser lead extractions.
Mohamed Abdelrahman, MD, is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates, with locations in Phoenix, Avondale, Tempe, Chandler, Sun City, Dewey, and Prescott Valley, Arizona. Dr. Abdelrahman joined the team in 2020 and is well-known for his exceptional rapport and dedication to his patients. He strives and is committed to providing compassionate, sincere, and honest patient care.
Dr. Abdelrahman was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He earned his medical degree from Ain Shams University, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in Egypt. He then pursued further medical training in the United States and completed his internal medicine residency at the University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, and his cardiology training at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. During his training, Dr. Abdelrahman was acknowledged by receiving multiple awards, including the Fellow of the Year award and the award for Academic Excellence.
To further his training, Dr. Abdelrahman completed his cardiac electrophysiology training at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. He was specially trained in advanced electrophysiology diagnostic and management techniques, including complex ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and robotic-assisted mapping and ablation. He also trained in complex device implantation, including biventricular devices, bundle pacing subcutaneous defibrillators, leadless pacemakers, and complex laser lead extraction.
Dr. Abdelrahman also actively participates in research and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He has authored numerous manuscripts and abstracts and has presented in multiple national and international cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology meetings.
Zaher Akkad, MD, FACC, is a cardiologist at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, with four locations in Phoenix, Maricopa, Goodyear, and Chandler, Arizona. Dr. Akkad holds multiple board certifications, including internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, nuclear cardiology, and echocardiography, as well as Endovascular Medicine.
Dr. Akkad was trained at Wayne State University-affiliated hospitals in Detroit, Michigan. Before joining Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, Dr. Akkad was an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Wayne State University. During this time, he was the Interim Director of the Echocardiography Lab.
He has published multiple textbook chapters in the fields of cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and congestive heart failure.
Dr. Akkad’s clinical skills are outstanding. He is a multi-talented cardiologist, he is experienced in all aspects of non-invasive cardiology, including echocardiography, transesophageal echo, and nuclear cardiology. He is a fully-trained interventional cardiologist with superb skills in all aspects of cardiac Catheterization and stents also endovascular, carotid and peripheral interventions as well as pacemaker implantation. He is experienced in Structural Cardiac interventions including TAVR and Watchman procedures.
Dr. Akkad is very compassionate and has exceptional patient skills. His philosophy is to treat his patients as if they are family and provides prompt, cutting-edge, and evidence-based treatments. He is currently accepting new patients and eager to help them get healthy as soon as possible. Please check the testimonials from some of our patients below. On behalf of Dr. Akkad and his team, we look forward to taking care of you.
Banner Estrella Medical Center, Chief of Cardiology 2023 to present
Abrazo Hospital
Shishir Murarka, MD, is the Chief of Cardiology at Banner Estrella Medical Center.
Dr. Murarka is a board-certified interventional cardiologist at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona in the Phoenix and Goodyear locations. He is a young cardiologist with excellent clinical skills and patient rapport. He offers a fresh approach to cardiovascular care.
Dr. Murarka completed his training at the University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly and Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
He is board-certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and nuclear cardiology. Dr. Murarka has co-authored more than 20 publications in various medical journals, over a dozen abstracts, and two book chapters in the subjects of percutaneous mitral valve repair and recanalizing total occlusion in the periphery.
He is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to helping them on their health care journey.
Dr. Faran Bashir received his training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, University of California, Irvine, and the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Bashir is board certified in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, Nuclear and Interventional Cardiology. Additionally, he has received specialized training in the performance of intracardiac echocardiography, percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defects, valvuloplasty and Watchman device implantation. He has presented several studies at national Cardiology meetings and has published many journal articles in major Cardiology journals.
Dr. Bashir is currently serving as Chief of Cardiology and CVT Surgery at Banner Estrella Medical Center. He also holds the position of Clinical Assistant professor of Medicine at Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix. He is a member of faculty both in the Cardiology as well as Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Programs and is actively involved in teaching future cardiologists. Dr. Bashir’s clinical skills are outstanding and he will be happy to provide timely and professional care.
Dr. Bashir is currently accepting new patients. Schedule an appointment by calling the office or booking a consultation online today.
Dr Balakrishnan is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates. He is thorough, compassionate, and unwavering in his commitment to providing quality care for his patients.
Dr Balakrishnan was born and raised in Coimbatore, India. He completed his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, India, and moved to the United States to pursue further medical training. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - South Campus and his Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology fellowships at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Campus hospitals. He is the recipient of several awards throughout his training, including outstanding performance in Cardiology and Electrophysiology, outstanding graduating fellow in Cardiology, and the Mark J. Friedman Outstanding Fellow Award. He also served as the chief fellow during his Cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona. He has authored numerous publications in Cardiology and Electrophysiology and has presented at several national and international conferences.
Dr Balakrishnan joined the practice in 2024. He is trained in complex device implants, ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and laser lead extractions.
Mohamed Abdelrahman, MD, is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates, with locations in Phoenix, Avondale, Tempe, Chandler, Sun City, Dewey, and Prescott Valley, Arizona. Dr. Abdelrahman joined the team in 2020 and is well-known for his exceptional rapport and dedication to his patients. He strives and is committed to providing compassionate, sincere, and honest patient care.
Dr. Abdelrahman was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He earned his medical degree from Ain Shams University, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in Egypt. He then pursued further medical training in the United States and completed his internal medicine residency at the University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, and his cardiology training at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. During his training, Dr. Abdelrahman was acknowledged by receiving multiple awards, including the Fellow of the Year award and the award for Academic Excellence.
To further his training, Dr. Abdelrahman completed his cardiac electrophysiology training at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. He was specially trained in advanced electrophysiology diagnostic and management techniques, including complex ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and robotic-assisted mapping and ablation. He also trained in complex device implantation, including biventricular devices, bundle pacing subcutaneous defibrillators, leadless pacemakers, and complex laser lead extraction.
Dr. Abdelrahman also actively participates in research and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He has authored numerous manuscripts and abstracts and has presented in multiple national and international cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology meetings.
Zaher Akkad, MD, FACC, is a cardiologist at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, with four locations in Phoenix, Maricopa, Goodyear, and Chandler, Arizona. Dr. Akkad holds multiple board certifications, including internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, nuclear cardiology, and echocardiography, as well as Endovascular Medicine.
Dr. Akkad was trained at Wayne State University-affiliated hospitals in Detroit, Michigan. Before joining Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona, Dr. Akkad was an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Wayne State University. During this time, he was the Interim Director of the Echocardiography Lab.
He has published multiple textbook chapters in the fields of cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and congestive heart failure.
Dr. Akkad’s clinical skills are outstanding. He is a multi-talented cardiologist, he is experienced in all aspects of non-invasive cardiology, including echocardiography, transesophageal echo, and nuclear cardiology. He is a fully-trained interventional cardiologist with superb skills in all aspects of cardiac Catheterization and stents also endovascular, carotid and peripheral interventions as well as pacemaker implantation. He is experienced in Structural Cardiac interventions including TAVR and Watchman procedures.
Dr. Akkad is very compassionate and has exceptional patient skills. His philosophy is to treat his patients as if they are family and provides prompt, cutting-edge, and evidence-based treatments. He is currently accepting new patients and eager to help them get healthy as soon as possible. Please check the testimonials from some of our patients below. On behalf of Dr. Akkad and his team, we look forward to taking care of you.
Banner Estrella Medical Center, Chief of Cardiology 2023 to present
Abrazo Hospital
Shishir Murarka, MD, is the Chief of Cardiology at Banner Estrella Medical Center.
Dr. Murarka is a board-certified interventional cardiologist at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona in the Phoenix and Goodyear locations. He is a young cardiologist with excellent clinical skills and patient rapport. He offers a fresh approach to cardiovascular care.
Dr. Murarka completed his training at the University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly and Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
He is board-certified in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease, internal medicine, and nuclear cardiology. Dr. Murarka has co-authored more than 20 publications in various medical journals, over a dozen abstracts, and two book chapters in the subjects of percutaneous mitral valve repair and recanalizing total occlusion in the periphery.
He is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to helping them on their health care journey.
Dr. Faran Bashir received his training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, University of California, Irvine, and the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Bashir is board certified in the fields of cardiovascular diseases, Nuclear and Interventional Cardiology. Additionally, he has received specialized training in the performance of intracardiac echocardiography, percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defects, valvuloplasty and Watchman device implantation. He has presented several studies at national Cardiology meetings and has published many journal articles in major Cardiology journals.
Dr. Bashir is currently serving as Chief of Cardiology and CVT Surgery at Banner Estrella Medical Center. He also holds the position of Clinical Assistant professor of Medicine at Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix. He is a member of faculty both in the Cardiology as well as Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Programs and is actively involved in teaching future cardiologists. Dr. Bashir’s clinical skills are outstanding and he will be happy to provide timely and professional care.
Dr. Bashir is currently accepting new patients. Schedule an appointment by calling the office or booking a consultation online today.
Dr Balakrishnan is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates. He is thorough, compassionate, and unwavering in his commitment to providing quality care for his patients.
Dr Balakrishnan was born and raised in Coimbatore, India. He completed his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, India, and moved to the United States to pursue further medical training. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - South Campus and his Cardiology and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology fellowships at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Campus hospitals. He is the recipient of several awards throughout his training, including outstanding performance in Cardiology and Electrophysiology, outstanding graduating fellow in Cardiology, and the Mark J. Friedman Outstanding Fellow Award. He also served as the chief fellow during his Cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona. He has authored numerous publications in Cardiology and Electrophysiology and has presented at several national and international conferences.
Dr Balakrishnan joined the practice in 2024. He is trained in complex device implants, ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and laser lead extractions.
Mohamed Abdelrahman, MD, is a cardiologist and clinical cardiac electrophysiologist at Arizona Heart Arrhythmia Associates, with locations in Phoenix, Avondale, Tempe, Chandler, Sun City, Dewey, and Prescott Valley, Arizona. Dr. Abdelrahman joined the team in 2020 and is well-known for his exceptional rapport and dedication to his patients. He strives and is committed to providing compassionate, sincere, and honest patient care.
Dr. Abdelrahman was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He earned his medical degree from Ain Shams University, one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in Egypt. He then pursued further medical training in the United States and completed his internal medicine residency at the University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, and his cardiology training at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. During his training, Dr. Abdelrahman was acknowledged by receiving multiple awards, including the Fellow of the Year award and the award for Academic Excellence.
To further his training, Dr. Abdelrahman completed his cardiac electrophysiology training at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. He was specially trained in advanced electrophysiology diagnostic and management techniques, including complex ablation of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and robotic-assisted mapping and ablation. He also trained in complex device implantation, including biventricular devices, bundle pacing subcutaneous defibrillators, leadless pacemakers, and complex laser lead extraction.
Dr. Abdelrahman also actively participates in research and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He has authored numerous manuscripts and abstracts and has presented in multiple national and international cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology meetings.
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