Best Cardiologists and Heart Medicine Doctors in Wilmington, NC

Dr. Christopher Barber, MD is an Interventional Cardiology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 68 years old and has been practicing for 38 years. Dr. Christopher Barber, MD is affiliated with Novant Wilmington NC.

As the daughter of a cardiologist, I've wanted to be a heart doctor since age 10, when I figured out how the heart performed as a pump and how vital the organ is for the whole human body. \n Growing up in Washington, D.C., I thought anything was possible. But attending Georgetown University for both college and medical school made me realize how challenging my aspiration was - especially for a woman. \n Seeking to move to a city far from my hometown, I chose the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my internship and residency. My love for cardiology was kindled further there and led me to a cardiology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, where I researched hypertensive heart disease and coronary artery disease. It was there that I found my greatest passion was in patient care. I also found that I missed North Carolina. \n When the opportunity arose in 1992, my husband and I moved to Wilmington, where I've been practicing cardiology ever since. I started Wilmington's first outpatient nuclear medicine lab and fueled the evolution of the echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography program, which has been a critical resource in treating stroke, endocarditis, valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation. \n In addition, I helped develop: \n - Wilmington's first Chest Pain Center \n - Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute's Heart Failure Clinic \n - Coronary CT angiography program \n - Structural heart program \n As each patient is unique in their response to treatments, I tailor a treatment plan to an individual patient's needs and goals. I strongly believe prevention of heart disease is preferable to treatment for heart disease complications. I work with patients on optimizing their lifestyle and addressing risk factors to avoid disease progression and complications such as heart attacks, heart failure, strokes and need for revascularization. \n I continue to do clinical research and always enjoy teaching residents, medical students, and physician assistant and nurse practitioner students. \n My clinical interests include preventive cardiology, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiac imaging and heart disease in women. There are important differences in how heart disease presents in women and in how we help them manage their cardiac issues.

The job of a doctor has many parts. I get to perform procedures, provide medical treatment and work closely with patients to manage care plans. Some medical specialties are focused more on one of these areas than another. Since I enjoy all three, I'm lucky to have found cardiology. This field gives me a great balance between completing treatments and procedures, and getting to know those in my care. \n Electrophysiology has always been my favorite part of cardiology. I especially enjoy being able to explain arrhythmias to my patients so they can make more informed decisions about their care. I also use my skills to educate other providers. At the University of North Carolina, I was recognized by residents as an outstanding educator. It makes me proud to know their patients will also benefit from what I am able to teach. \n When talking about my patients, I often say, "I work for them." I am not just a caregiver; I want to be a partner. That means big things, like listening to each patient and addressing their concerns, and smaller things, like respecting their time by not keeping them waiting. When we work together, we accomplish better outcomes. \n I am always looking for ways to do the most good. Once, I was able to help organize a mission trip to Bolivia where I worked alongside other providers to implant pacemakers in patients who otherwise would not have had access to that medical care. This greatly improved their quality of life, and I am fortunate to have been part of that mission. \n My wife and I moved from Pensacola, Florida, to Wilmington so we could raise our family here. I have loved this area since spending time training at the University of North Carolina, and feel lucky to be back in the Tar Heel State. When I am not spending time with my family, I enjoy tennis, golf, pickleball and basketball.

Dr. Taylor Bazemore, MD is a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 37 years old and has been practicing for 11 years. Dr. Taylor Bazemore, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center.

Dr. Sunil Iyer, MD is a Cardiology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 43 years old and has been practicing for 16 years. Dr. Sunil Iyer, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Sunil Iyer, MD is a Cardiology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 43 years old and has been practicing for 16 years. Dr. Sunil Iyer, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Arnold Hite Jr, MD is a Cardiology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 43 years old and has been practicing for 15 years. Dr. Arnold Hite Jr, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

The complexity of the human body, particularly the heart, has always fascinated me. As a cardiologist, I have the privilege of diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions. This allows me to directly improve a patient's quality of life, or even save a patient's life at a critical moment. Cardiology is a rapidly evolving field that offers continuous opportunities for innovation. That combination of constantly learning and making such profound impacts on the lives of my patients makes cardiology the perfect field for me. \n Providing personalized, compassionate, evidenced-based care is at the center of everything I do. My patient-centered approach involves active listening and clear communication; I hear your concerns and questions, and then present your treatment options along with all the information you need to make decisions about your care. I believe that trust and open dialogue are keys to any doctor-patient relationship, and I believe that when we work together the result is superior care for you. \n One of my passions within the field of cardiology is cardiac imaging. Technologies such as cardiac computer tomography (CT), echocardiography and nuclear cardiology allow me to provide comprehensive and precise diagnoses for patients with heart conditions. I have earned special board certifications in these specific imaging areas, allowing me to provide my patients a higher level of expertise, and ensuring patients receive the most accurate and tailored care possible. \n I was born in Greenville, North Carolina, and knew I wanted to return to the coast of North Carolina after finishing my education. I am so happy to have made the Wilmington area home. I spend most of my free time with my wife or outdoors, exploring nature through hiking, skiing, running and cycling. Sometimes my exploration takes me to the sky; I am passionate about aviation and proud to have a pilot's license, allowing me to appreciate the world from a unique perspective.

Dr. Frank Hobart, MD is a Cardiology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 62 years old and has been practicing for 33 years. Dr. Frank Hobart, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Both my maternal grandparents died in their 50s of heart disease. I remember, from a young age, reflecting on how unfair that was and wanting to do something to change it. In college, I discovered an interest in epidemiology and hemodynamics. Cardiology is the field that best marries these two interests. \n As a researcher, my areas of focus are disease prevention, cardiac imaging and cardio-oncology, a relatively new field in which cardiologists help cancer patients and providers navigate cardiac issues that can arise during treatment. My goal is to get the patient to the finish line, either curing their cancer or turning it into a stable, chronic disease. \n Cancer patients are truly warriors; they're some of the most motivated and inspiring people I've ever met. I also enjoy partnering with oncologists and offering patients the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach to their treatment. \n When I first meet with patients, my goal is to educate and empower them with the tools and knowledge to improve their health. I am not a physician who makes decisions on behalf of patients but rather someone who can find common ground between what science can offer and what the patient's preferences may be. \n I am a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and was honored to be a Novant Health "Healthcare Heroes" finalist in 2022. \n My wife, who works in Novant Health's corporate communications department, and I have two young children - a son and a daughter. I'm passionate about all water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and boating. I am also a fan of UNC Tarheel sports.

My father was a family physician in a small North Carolina town for over 50 years, and my admiration for - and loving relationship with - him helped shaped my desire to pursue a career in medicine. \n So did my first personal exposure to medicine. As a 5-year-old-boy, I spent almost two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. That experience not only helped develop my personal faith in God, but led to a strong belief that my purpose in life is helping others. \n I attended N.C. State University as a scholarship athlete and finished my swimming career as an NCAA All-American and ACC champion. After graduation from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and after further medical training in Charlotte and Chicago, I relocated to Wilmington in 2003 with my wife. \n I had visited the Wilmington area often as a child since both my parents were raised here and graduated from New Hanover High School. Those visits ultimately led to a desire to settle down here. My wife and I now call Wilmington home - as do our three children. \n Since 2003, I have been an attending physician at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in cardiology and electrophysiology. I am board-certified in cardiovascular disease and electrophysiology and an active member and recognized Fellow of the American College of Cardiology as well as a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society. \n My major clinical interest has always been direct patient care in electrophysiology. I consider it an honor to cultivate lasting personal relationships with my patients. \n When not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and children, coaching youth athletics, spending time outdoors - especially at the beach - and cheering on the N.C. State Wolfpack.

I've been enamored with medicine for as long as I can remember. My grandfather, for whom I was named, was a general practitioner in my hometown of Reidsville, North Carolina and took care of nearly the entire town. \n Within a few hours of my premature birth, my grandfather suspected I had pneumonia. He had me transferred to Moses Cone Hospital, where I spent three weeks in the ICU. A few weeks after I was discharged, I went into septic shock. Again, my grandfather recognized the signs. He coded me during the ambulance ride, which saved my life. \n I was always driven to succeed academically and wanted to attend a top college to improve my chances of following in my grandfather's footsteps. At Wake Forest University, I majored in chemistry and volunteered at healthcare clinics in Winston-Salem. I was thrilled to attend Wake Forest for medical school, which is where my passion for cardiology began to blossom. \n I did my internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas because the program director's pitch included that the school is known for training cardiologists and sending them all over the world. I knew I wanted to live in North Carolina, so the "all over the world" part didn't attract me. The cardiology training program did. \n During my cardiology fellowship at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, I fell in love with the city and with a New Orleans girl named Alex. \n During my second year in fellowship, I interviewed for a job with a Wilmington practice with incredible doctors, advanced practitioners and administrators. Accepting the job was one of the easiest decisions of my life. (Marrying Alex was the easiest.) \n My specialties include general cardiology; advanced imaging, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography; stress testing and coronary CTA. I also perform cardioversions and implant loop recorders. I love my job, my patients, this community and the people with whom I have the pleasure of working. \n In my free time, I love running and spending time with Alex and our young son. A wonderful golden retriever and calico cat complete our family. We are in love with the city and enjoy days on the beach, diving into new restaurants and bars, walking the loop and exploring all the water sports the area makes possible.

While childhood illness can cause some people to want to limit their contact with medical providers, it had the opposite effect on me; I wanted to become one. I saw firsthand the difference that quality medical care can make, and I knew I wanted to provide it. That desire led me first to medical school, and later to earn board certifications in internal medicine, interventional cardiology and general cardiology. I want my patients to see my extensive education and training as my commitment to providing them the highest level of care possible. \n To those certifications I have added years of experience across multiple fields of cardiology, including imaging, care for valve issues, critical care and coronary artery disease care. Every patient encounter affords me an opportunity to meet a unique individual with unique needs. I want to hear each patient's story and understand their background so it can help shape their care plan. We achieve better outcomes when we work together to find the right treatment plan. \n When I'm not at work, my time belongs to my family. I have three children, and I love being very active in their lives. I also enjoy fishing, caring for my vegetable garden and traveling with my wife.

When I was a teenager, my father developed atrial fibrillation, more commonly known as Afib. This prompted my initial interest in cardiology and eventually led me to work in the atrial fibrillation clinic at Duke during my training in cardiology, which was what spurred me to become a cardiac electrophysiologist. \n I was born and raised in Wilmington. Since I returned to my hometown after completing my fellowship, I have been passionate about expanding the breadth and quality of cardiology and electrophysiology care available to our community. \n As a leader in my practice and the Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute (HVI) clinical physician executive in the Coastal region, I have relentlessly high expectations of myself and my colleagues regarding the quality of care we deliver. I also recognize the importance of maintaining a positive workplace culture. Doing so benefits both our teammates and our patients. As a leader, one of my explicit goals is to maintain our positive culture and to value team members - at all levels - for their vital contributions to patient care. \n I have been honored in the past to give presentations at the North Carolina and South Carolina meetings of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and recently presented at the annual national business meeting for cardiology, the ACC CV Summit. I was also recognized in 2019 as a finalist for the award for excellence in physician leadership from Atrium Health. \n I am a member of the Heart Rhythm Society, the American College of Cardiology and serve on the board of Novant Health Coastal Region Board of Managers. \n As an HVI physician leader, I recognize the importance of being involved in clinical trials and research. I've participated in multiple clinical trials and have been the principal investigator on several. I served as chair of New Hanover Regional Medical Center's cardiac research and education committee for 15 years and was medical director of New Hanover Regional Medical Center's stroke and cardiovascular symposium from 2006 to 2017. \n My wife and I have three college-aged children. I love sailing, boating and water sports. I sail competitively and have been involved in our community high school sailing program. I also enjoy windsurfing and kiteboarding. Each year, I have a goal of getting into the ocean at least once a month, although it's not always in North Carolina. I also enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities, including dabbling in mountain biking.

Dr. Zachary Garrett, MD is a Cardiology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 37 years old. Dr. Zachary Garrett, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.