CEDARS HEART - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Arnold S. Lee is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a vast knowledge of medical science rooted in being an Internal Medicine physician in his native country, the Philippines, a Medical Technologist, a Registered Nurse, and a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner in the United States. Over the years, he grew his love and passion for cardiology.
Arnold, always fascinated with health and diseases, began his path in 1992 at Xavier University School of Medicine in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. He became a licensed physician in 1997 and completed four years of Internal Medicine residency training at Davao Medical Center, Philippines, in 2001. However, as ready as he could be to pursue his dreams, he had to give up his medical career that same year to happily unite with his wife in the United States and now a proud father of two teens.
Withal, being in a different country, Arnold's immense passion for medical science had not stopped him, but opportunities continued to unfold as his calling tried to find him. While working as a Medical Technologist at Banner Desert Medical Center, he completed the 16-month accelerated nursing program at Maricopa Community College in Mesa, AZ, in 2010. He became an acute care nurse in Banner Heart Hospital, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, Chandler Regional Medical Center, and Banner Baywood Medical Center, primarily in cardiac telemetry and ICUs. In December 2019, he finished the FNP program at the University of Phoenix and successfully passed the FNP certification in January 2020. He is proud to have worked as a Nurse Practitioner at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute in Scottsdale, AZ, and at the Chan Heart Rhythm Institute in Mesa, AZ. Arnold is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
His long and packed experience in the medical field, combined with his love and dedication to patient care, are notable qualifications that he is pleased to deliver here at Cedars Heart Clinic.
Dr. Akarsh Parekh is a board-certified physician specializing in interventional cardiology. He is originally from Columbus, Ohio and a proud alumni of The Ohio State University where he completed his undergraduate degree.
After completion of medical school, Dr. Parekh completed his internship at Summa Health in Akron, Ohio. Next, he finished his internal medicine residency and general cardiology fellowship at Michigan State University - McLaren Macomb Medical Center. Finally, he concluded his training in interventional cardiology at Michigan State University - Ascension St. John's Macomb Hospital.
With years of training and research background, Dr. Parekh is committed to staying at the forefront of medical advancements and continuously pursuing ongoing education to provide the highest level of care.
Dr. Parekh believes in fostering strong doctor-patient relationships built on trust, communication, and mutual respect. His comprehensive approach to healthcare ensures that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs.
Dr. Pedro Ortiz is an enthusiastic, bilingual cardiologist that obtained his medical degree from the University of Guadalajara in 1991. He moved to Puerto Rico in 1998 and obtained his degree in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease from the University of Puerto Rico in 2004. He has practiced in California, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Dr. Ortiz has 20 years of experience in the cardiovascular field. His special interests are in hypertension, nuclear medicine, and coronary atherosclerosis. Dr. Ortiz believes primary prevention has a major role in reducing cardiovascular events.
He speaks and writes perfect Spanish. For hobbies, he loves playing golf, hiking, and mountain biking.
Dr. Ziad Elghoul is one of the most compassionate and highly skilled interventional cardiologists in all of Arizona! He specializes in general cardiology, complex coronary interventions in addition to peripheral artery disease, venous ablations, and percutaneous abdominal aortic aneurysms repair.
Dr. Elghoul completed his internal medicine residency at Staten Island University Hospital. He then served as a Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. He completed his general cardiology fellowship at the State University of NY (SUNY Downstate) in Brooklyn, NY, and his interventional cardiology (cardiac and peripheral) fellowship at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Elghoul is board certified in nuclear cardiology, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology. He has practiced cardiology in Arizona since 2001 and founded Cedars Heart Clinic in 2006. Dr. Elghoul is currently the Chairman Department of Cardiology of Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. Dr. Elghoul has served as Director of the Cath Lab at Dignity Health hospitals and continues to serve on the Physician's Clinical Council at Chandler Regional Hospital. He is published in several peer-reviewed journals and continues to participate in numerous highly valuable research studies including ABSORB trial and currently PIONEER 3 trial.
Dr. Elghoul has received the Excellence Award (The 7 Principles of Behavior) and the Marreel Excellence in Service Award for outstanding patient care.
Although Dr. Elghoul steadfast passion for patient care often leaves him little free time, when he does, he loves to be with his family at the beach, on the ski slopes or doing various outdoor activities!
Kari Celaya, ANP comes from the small town Hastings, Nebraska and is truly a Cornhusker at heart. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. In 2008, she received her Master's in Nursing from Arizona State University and her Certificate as an Adult Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. Kari has practiced cardiology at Cedars Heart Clinic since becoming an advanced nurse practitioner and is an exemplary provider of care and compassion.
Kari is a strong advocate for Type I Diabetes. She resides in Chandler with her husband and two children. Celaya very much enjoys spending time at their cabin in Pinetop and traveling to fun, new destinations together!
Dr. Yashwant Agrawal completed his medical education at MNR Medical College and Hospital and Osmania Medical College in India.
He specializes in interventional cardiology, including treatment of peripheral artery disease, and has published over 48 articles in several peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Agrawal completed his Internal Medicine and Pediatric residency at Western Medicine University School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the Chief Cardiology fellow at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital where he completed his training for General Cardiology. He then completed his Interventional Cardiology training at Ascension Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan under the leadership of Dr. Tim Fischell.
Dr. Agrawal is board certified in Internal medicine, Adult Echocardiography, Cardiac CT, Nuclear Cardiology, and General Cardiology.
Dr. Agrawal's hobbies include working out, skiing, and hiking, as well as traveling and exploring new places.