It's not often that one has the opportunity to comment about somebody (Dr. "SIVA") who saved your life.
I recently celebrated my first anniversary of undergoing open heart surgery for replacement of my aortic valve. I wouldn't be here on earth today had it not been for the extraordinary competence, diligence, and caring of Dr. Satish Sivasankaran (Dr. "SIVA") and the surgical team he assembled on my behalf.
My life and death journey began when my family physician referred me to Dr. Siva after listening to my complaints of shortness of breath. I remember in detail my very first meeting with Dr. Siva. This meeting at his New Port Richey office ("Pasco Cardiology Center") was unique for a number of reasons. First, I was ushered into one of his examination rooms at precisely the designated time of my appointment. While being attended to on time, without waiting, is not a medical issue, it's a huge reflection of professionalism and caring.
Dr. Siva entered the room shortly after his nurse had completed my personal medical history and greeted me and my wife as though we'd known each other for years! While Dr. Siva outlined a detailed course of action which included every possible test such as echocardiograms, stress tests, lab tests, X-Rays and finally, a cardiac catheterization performed by Dr. Siva. In addition to this lengthy and uninterrupted medical discussion, Dr. Siva posed a number of personal questions which led to sharing of iPhone photos of family etc. This personal touch was truly unexpected but much appreciated and created a true bond of trust between us.
While I (for psychological reasons) elected not to be briefed on all the esoteric details of my condition and the upcoming surgery, my wife of 25 years (who had some medical training) and, upon first hearing of my medical issues, set out like a first year med student to do a massive and detailed study of all of the issues and implications. Dr. Siva, without hesitation, generously offered answers to all of her questions including multiple "What If" questions relating to my condition. His patience and forthrightness with my wife was enormously appreciated and served to assuage much of her fear and anxiety.
Dr. Siva was present during my 6+ hours of surgery performed by Dr. N.S. Rattahalli. When I woke up a day later, Dr. Siva was smiling into my eyes and holding my limp hand. During the subsequent week long recovery Dr. Siva visited and kept my wife updated on my condition. A few weeks later I was hospitalized once again with several medical issues and Dr. Siva was again there to support me and my wife.
Always cheerful, professional, focused and supportive, I can say without qualification that he is the most professional and competent medical doctor I have ever met. And, it's not just his "medical expertise," but it's his personality, his caring bedside manner, and the essence of a wonderful and great man that truly cares, comforts, and saves lives.
For those of you, like me, who are interested in a doctor's background, I want to call attention to Dr. Siva's remarkable education and medical training: He is a graduate of Internal Medicine Program, Yale University, Connecticut and Cardiology fellowship program, Lahey Clinic, Massachusetts. He did his Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, California and a mini-fellowship in peripheral vascular intervention, Mercy Health System, Baptist Hospital West, Tennessee. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Echocardiography and Nuclear Cardiology.
CRAIG VAN PELT
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