Mona J. Shah, MD
Director Echo & Nuclear Lab FCCI

Cardiology

Dr. Mona Shah went to medical school planning to become a pediatrician. But along the way she was exposed to the field of Cardiology. "Mt first rotation was cardiology, and I had an excellent mentor, " she says. "And while I love kids, I found that I loved the field of cardiology even more, because of the complexity of it and the interaction with patients."

"The most rewarding part of my job as a cardiologist is spending time with patients and really making them feel comfortable," says Dr. Shah, a Chicago are native who practices general cardiology and is trained in non-invasive cardiology imaging techniques. "That includes helping them understand any testing we need to do, as well as their diagnosis. I want patients to be at ease about whatever decisions we make together. Another rewarding aspect of my role is guiding patients to participate in their own preventative care. When I am able to persuade patients that they can minimize their risk by loosing weight, controlling their blood pressure or not smoking, and they do these things, that's a good feeling."

At First Coast Cardiovascular Institute, PA (FCCI) Dr. Shah treats a variety of patients with cardiovascular disease. She knows she is one of only a handful of female cardiologists in the First Coast region, but she is modest about that distinction. "What I hope is that men and women patients will feel comfortable talking with me," she says. "I see every patient as a complete person, not just a test result."

"While all of us in the practice are attuned to how cardiovascular disease can affect women differently, we know that some women patients are naturally more comfortable confiding in another woman," says Dr. Majdi Ashchi, cardiologist and co-founder of FCCI. "So if it helps them be more open about the symptoms they are experiencing when they come to Dr. Shah, that's great."

Dr. Shah graduated from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, completed her residency at the University of Kentucky and her cardiology fellowship at the Ohio State University Heart Center.

During hew fellowship at Ohio State, Dr. Shah had research published in the American Heart Journal. She also participated in a study that looked at patients who came in through a hospital emergency room with chest pain. "We sought to determine whether the patients' chest pain was related to coronary heart disease or other causes," she says. "There are some things that can be missed, like periocarditis, and we looked for ways to make more accurate diagnoses of these patients."

As a specialist in non-invasive cardiology, Dr. Shah's area of expertise includes nuclear imaging, stress testing, echocardiograms, surface and trans-esophageal echocardiograms. She also has specialized training in stress echocardiograms and the reading of coronary CT angiograms, and the latest MRI procedures.

Dr. Shah practices general cardiology and has Level III training in non-invasive cardiology imaging techniques.

Medical Education

University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine

Residency & Fellowship

Cardiology Fellowship, Ohio State University
Residency - University of KY

Licensure & Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology

Favorite Links

www.MyFloridaRx.com