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about us

The Heart and Science of Medic Test

Florida Heart & Vascular Institute was founded in Ocala in 1997 by Dr. Asad U. Qamar with a singular purpose: to deliver world-class cardiovascular expertise to the community without the bureaucratic complexities of a large hospital system. As an independent, physician-led practice, we are focused solely on patient outcomes and access. Over the past 25 years, we have become deeply rooted in Marion County, treating more uninsured and Medicaid patients than any other independent practitioner in the region. We built our practice to meet the significant cardiovascular burden facing our community of aging population with high rates of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Our structure ensures that every patient receives the direct attention of a board-certified physician, combining the highest clinical standards with compassionate, community-focused care.

Infection Prevention

This site includes an overview of how infections spread, ways to prevent the spread of infections

Preventive Care

Another part of preventive health is learning to recognize changes in your body that may not be normal
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Cardio-Oncology
Web Designer 90%
Heart Surgery
Web Designer 85%

Digital Operation

Digital Opration is a technique used for thousands of years to develop awareness of the present moment, It can involve practices to sharpen focus and attention

Meet Our Founder

Dr. Asad U. Qamar founded Florida Heart & Vascular Institute in 1997 with a straightforward conviction: every Floridian deserves direct access to a board-certified cardiologist, regardless of their insurance status or financial situation. With more than 35 years of clinical experience, board certifications in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine, and fellowship designations from the American College of Cardiology (FACC), the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI), and the American College of Chest Physicians (FCCP), Dr. Qamar brings the highest level of cardiovascular expertise to every patient he treats. He is widely recognized across Marion County and the broader North Central Florida region for his accessibility to uninsured and Medicaid patients -- a commitment he has upheld throughout his 25-year tenure. Dr. Qamar practices at our Ocala SW 17th Street Flagship and Ocala SW 62nd Court locations. o Board Certified: Cardiovascular Disease -- American Board of Internal Medicine o Board Certified: Internal Medicine -- ABIM o FACC -- Fellow, American College of Cardiology o FSCAI -- Fellow, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions o FCCP -- Fellow, American College of Chest Physicians o 35+ years of clinical experience in cardiovascular and interventional cardiology o Specialties: Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, PAD
Dr. Hammad
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
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Laurie Holland

Laurie Holland serves as Chief Compliance Officer at Florida Heart & Vascular Institute, overseeing regulatory compliance, risk management, and adherence to federal and state healthcare standards across all nine FHVI clinic locations. Her work ensures that every aspect of FHVI's clinical and administrative operations meets the highest standards of integrity, patient safety, and regulatory compliance.

  • Healthcare compliance and regulatory affairs
  • HIPAA and CMS regulatory standards
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
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Warda Chaudhary

Warda Chaudhary serves as Chief Financial Officer at Florida Heart & Vascular Institute, providing financial stewardship and strategic resource management for one of Florida's largest independent cardiovascular practices. Her financial leadership supports FHVI's mission to maintain clinical excellence and patient access while sustaining the organizational health of a growing multi-location network.

  • Healthcare finance and revenue cycle management
  • Multi-site practice financial strategy
Medicaid and Medicare billing compliance
Chief HR Officer (CHRO)
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Michelle Stopher

Michelle Stopher serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at Florida Heart & Vascular Institute, leading all aspects of human capital strategy, talent acquisition, and employee development across the FHVI network. Her leadership ensures that FHVI attracts and retains the clinical and administrative professionals needed to deliver exceptional cardiovascular care to every Florida patient we serve.

  • Healthcare workforce strategy and talent management
  • Multi-location HR operations

Employee development and clinical team support

Dr. Meerab

Chief Medical Officer | MD, FACC, FSCAI

Dr. Jihad A. Mustapha

Dr. Jihad A. Mustapha is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and one of the world's foremost authorities on critical limb ischemia (CLI) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Known internationally as 'The Leg Saver,' Dr. Mustapha has dedicated his career to preventing amputations in patients whose blocked leg arteries would otherwise lead to limb loss. As Founder and Director of the Amputation Prevention Symposium, Founding Board Member of the CLI Global Society, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Critical Limb Ischemia, he has shaped the global clinical conversation on limb salvage. He has co-founded the first Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Amputation Prevention Center in the United States. A Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Michigan State University, Dr. Mustapha completed fellowships in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. His personal story -- arriving in the United States at age 15 as a refugee from war-torn Lebanon with $80 and no English, and rising to become a globally recognized physician pioneer -- is a testament to the human capacity for perseverance. He brings that same determination to every patient he treats at FHVI. o FACC -- Fellow, American College of Cardiology o FSCAI -- Fellow, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions o Board Certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology -- ABIM o Founder & Director, Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP) o Founding Board Member, CLI Global Society o Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Critical Limb Ischemia o Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Michigan State University o Fellowships in Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine
COO Cath Lab/ASC
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Brock Kreienbrink

Brock Kreienbrink serves as Chief Operating Officer of FHVI's Cath Lab and Ambulatory Surgery Center operations, overseeing day-to-day procedural operations across our three cardiac catheterization labs and the Ocala SW 17th Street Surgery Center. His operational leadership ensures that FHVI's procedural facilities maintain the highest clinical and safety standards while delivering the scheduling efficiency that sets our independent practice apart from hospital-based programs.

  • Cath lab and ASC operations management
  • Procedural workflow and patient safety
  • Quality assurance across cath lab and surgery center
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
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Jenifer

As Chief Nursing Officer, Jennifer leads FHVI's nursing and clinical support staff across all nine Florida locations, ensuring consistent standards of patient-centered care at every touchpoint of the patient experience.

  • Clinical nursing leadership across 9 locations
  • Patient care standards and quality
  • Nursing staff development and training
Chief Radiologic Technologist
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Rick

Rick leads FHVI's radiologic and imaging technology operations, overseeing technical standards for echocardiography, nuclear stress imaging, fluoroscopic cath lab imaging, and vascular ultrasound across the FHVI network

  • Cardiovascular imaging technology leadership
  • Cath lab fluoroscopy and nuclear cardiology
  • Echo and vascular ultrasound technical standards

About Us