VCU Health CMH knows that cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of acute and chronic illness globally, in the U.S. and in Virginia. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Virginia and stroke is the third cause of death in our state. It is predicted that CV patients will account for 15% of overall hospital utilization by the year 2028. With this information, it is clear, that local access to advanced diagnostic cardiovascular services is critical for the patients in our region.

VCU Health CMH recently increased the scope of cardiovascular services with the opening of our new hospital in November, 2017 and the addition of our in-house catheterization laboratory. Dr. Nimesh Patel, Cardiologist, has been providing cardiology services here since 2016. He performs diagnostic cardiac catheterizations in the new cath lab. Having diagnostic cardiac catherization available helps to promote faster care and better clinical outcomes.

On July 2, 2018, VCU Health CMH, in collaboration with VCU Health in Richmond, took another leap forward with the addition of Dr. Bethany Denlinger and Dr. Jayanthi Koneru to our CMH Physician Services cardiology practice. Dr. Bethany Denlinger, who is no stranger to CMH, has been providing cardiology services to the area since 1995 through South Hill Internal Medicine & Critical Care, previously known as Dr. Strunk’s office. Dr. Denlinger has been traveling from Richmond three days each week since 1995 and for years was the only cardiology provider in the area. Dr. Denlinger will continue her travels to South Hill each week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday but will now see patients at CMH Cardiology Services located in the C.A.R.E. Building.

Dr. Jayanthi Koneru is also well known in our area. He has been seeing patients and providing cardiology services through South Hill Family Medicine two days each month. Dr. Koneru specializes in cardiac electrophysiology/heart rhythms and will now provide services through CMH Cardiology Services.

In September, Dr. Khalid Mojadidi will join CMH Cardiology Services as a full-time cardiologist. Dr. Mojadidi is an Invasive Cardiologist and is currently at VCU Health in Richmond completing a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease.

Our patients and families can continue to expect the highest level of care -- today and well into the future, thanks to this team-based care. Having these cardiologists in one location will provide easier access to cardiology services and bring substantial expertise in the diagnosis and treatments for patients with heart disease and related conditions to our service area.