Baptist Health Heart Vascular Care Welcomes Seven Esteemed Vascular Surgeons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care Welcomes Seven Esteemed Vascular Surgeons
MIAMI – August 13, 2025 – Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care announces the addition of seven highly accomplished vascular surgeons to Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, further advancing its commitment to exceptional cardiovascular care.
The physicians, who have extensive experience treating a wide range of vascular conditions, include Abilio A. Coello, M.D., Howard E. Katzman, M.D.,Young C. Lee, M.D., Anand N. Tarpara, M.D., Michele L. Taubman, M.D., Ignacio Rua, M.D., and Athanassios I. Tsoukas, M.D.
“We are thrilled to welcome this accomplished group of vascular surgeons to our heart and vascular care team,” said Vedner Guerrier, vice president, clinical enterprise at Baptist Health. “They each bring impressive credentials and a proven record of leadership and innovation in healthcare.”
As members of one of the highest-volume vascular care centers in the region, the physicians will collaborate with the Institute’s multidisciplinary team to deliver leading-edge surgical care through advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive and traditional surgical procedures.
“Their expertise will build on Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute’s rich tradition of excellence in cardiac care,” said Tom C. Nguyen, M.D., chief medical executive of Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, director of minimally invasive surgery, Barry T. Katzen Endowed Chair at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and professor and chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. “Patients who come to us for vascular disease treatment can be confident they will receive the most advanced care, whether their condition is simple, rare or complex.”
Ashford Denman, vice president, operations at Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, stressed the importance of meeting the healthcare needs of the region’s growing patient population. “The addition of these skilled vascular surgeons reflects our continued commitment to building a strong, multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing comprehensive cardiovascular care and achieving the best outcomes for our patients,” he said.
The Institute’s new vascular surgeons are affiliated with Baptist Health Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health Doctors Hospital, Baptist Health Homestead Hospital, Baptist Health South Miami Hospital and Baptist Health West Kendall Baptist Hospital. They will see patients at Baptist Health Vascular Surgery | Kendall, located at 8950 North Kendall Dr., Suite 504W, Miami, Fla.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform.
Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
