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Date Published: Monday, October 28, 2019
Date Updated: Monday, July 18, 2022

Westchester Medical Center Elevates Cardiology Section to Department and Names Julio A. Panza as Director

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VALHALLA, N.Y. (October 28, 2019) – As the leading provider of cardiovascular services in the Hudson Valley, Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), recently elevated its cardiology section to create the Department of Cardiology, to be led by cardiologist Julio A. Panza, MD.

Previously a subsection of the Department of Medicine, the creation of the new department is a reflection of the scope and scale of the program and a testament to the growth of cardiology at Westchester Medical Center. Now including a team of 22 specialists and dozens of programs, the department cares for patients with a wide variety of advanced cardiovascular conditions, treated at WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute. Patients will continue to access cardiovascular care with the same ease and convenience.

As Director of Cardiology, Dr. Panza now oversees all cardiology services on WMCHealth's Valhalla and Poughkeepsie campuses.

WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute is a multi-specialty cardiac and vascular services practice dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality care to the residents of the Hudson Valley. The Institute brings together many of the nation's best physicians in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and pediatric cardiovascular services.

With more than 35 years of experience, Dr. Panza specializes in adult cardiology, echocardiography, ischemic heart disease, preventive cardiology and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

During Dr. Panza's tenure, the Department of Cardiology has grown to include specialized programs in cardio-oncology, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease. With the department's continued growth will come a strengthened emphasis on preventive cardiovascular health. The Department of Cardiology will also focus on telecardiology, a service offered through WMCHealth's robust telemedicine program that expands patients' access to advanced cardiac care and allows for instant, remote collaboration between healthcare providers to provide immediate, life-saving care.

A graduate of the School of Medical Sciences at the National University of Rosario, Argentina, Dr. Panza held appointments as Director of the Division of Cardiology at Washington Hospital Center and Director of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at Georgetown University Hospital – Washington Hospital Center, prior to joining WMCHealth in 2013.

Certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Panza is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow of the American Heart Association and has published more than 200 articles in medical literature.

To make an appointment at WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute, please call 866-WMC-HEART or 866.962.4327.