Welcome, New Faculty!

Dr. Nayef Abouzaki, has joined the Pauley team as an interventional cardiologist. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, echocardiography and nuclear cardiology. His areas of interest include coronary artery disease, chronic total coronary occlusions, acute cardiogenic shock, peripheral artery disease, and inflammation and the heart.

“The culture of innovation and research, along with partnership with great faculty, are some of the characteristics that attracted me here,” he said.

He received his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, then completed his residency and fellowships in both cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at VCU Medical Center.
“I knew Nayef was special from the first day I met him on rounds in the coronary intensive care unit. He was very knowledgeable and always prepared, and most importantly, the best patient advocate one could be,” said Dr. Antonio Abbate. “We are very lucky to have him on faculty now.”

Dr. Santosh Padala, has joined the Pauley team as a cardiac electro-physiologist. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, echo-cardiography, nuclear cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology.

“Dr. Padala’s clinical interests are wide-ranging and focus on advanced ablation and trying to measure the outcome of catheter ablation. He is an amazingly talented electrophysiologist, and we look forward to seeing him make important contributions to patients with cardiac arrhythmias,” said Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen.

Padala completed his medical degree and internship at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences in Telangana, India, and his residency at University of Connecticut Health Center. He completed a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Albany Medical Center, then in clinical cardiac electrophysiology at VCU Medical Center. He received the 2017 Outstanding Fellow Award.
“I would, without any reservations, say that VCU Health is one of the best places in the nation for cardiac electrophysiology training and patient care,” he said. “I am very fortunate to be a part of this
wonderful team.”

Dr. Jeremy Turlington, has joined the Pauley team as a noninvasive cardiologist with a special interest in critical care cardiology. He primarily attends to patients in the coronary intensive care unit, reads echocardiograms and electrocardiograms, and sees outpatients. He is board certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine.

“Dr. Turlington’s training and experience make him one of a kind here at VCU Health. I have watched Jeremy excel in his fellowships, and I am excited to work alongside him as a colleague,” said Dr. Hem Bhardwaj.

Turlington received his masters in public health and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, then completed his residency and two fellowships (cardiology and critical care) at VCU Medical Center. He was named chief resident and chief cardiology fellow and received the Ohran Muhren Award for Outstanding Fellow.

“I have done all of my training here, and because of this, I feel a real bond to VCU Health,” he said. “I was given a unique opportunity to train in critical care as an extension from cardiology, and skills like this I think are best utilized in a large, academic, tertiary care facility. So, what better place than VCU Health?”