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Friday, March 29, 2024

Cardiologist has a big heart for others

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Since his childhood, cardiologist Dr. Akin Akinwande has always had a desire to use his knowledge to benefit others. Over the years, he has excelled in his practice and prides himself on using his expertise to eliminate unnecessary issues patients have, such as waiting two weeks for test results, and helping those who are less fortunate.

“I see patients who do not have insurance for multiple reasons. Someone has to care for them,” said Akinwande.

His father, who was a firm believer in the power of a good education, had plans for him to become an attorney, but after researching and writing an essay about the function of the heart, he realized he wanted to be a physician scientist.

Naturally studious, Akinwande completed medical school with ease. Due to the lack of available technology, he realized he would not be able to reach his professional goals in Nigeria. He left Africa for the United States and began an internal medicine residency in Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“Coming from Nigeria, you just read about all this equipment but you never really put it to use. It was good for me to practice what I was studying,” said Akinwande.

Not wanting to be complacent, Akinwande decided to study cardiology at the University of Wisconsin. He further honed his knowledge in cardiology into becoming a valve disease specialist. He went on to help develop a heart valve clinic at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania.

Wanting a better environment for his own family, he moved them to Indianapolis where he became a partner with the Indiana Heart Physicians, a part of the St. Francis Medical Group.

Through St. Francis, Akinwande, along with other prominent cardiologists, developed the Midwest Valve Clinic, which is said to be the first dedicated heart valve clinic in Indiana.

“Dr. Akinwande is a very innovative person. He was able to help me understand a lot about the medical side and helped me become trained in interpreting heart valve studies,” said Dr. Marc Gerdisch, a St. Francis Heart Center cardiothoracic surgeon who also helped form the Midwest Valve Clinic.

“Akin is one of those people I call interesting and interested. He has an incredible wealth of knowledge. He’s interested in understanding others and helps create momentum in their own lives.”

Although Akinwande had accomplished many things in his career, he still was not satisfied. He left the Midwest Valve Clinic and opened his own practice called Pinnacle Heart Specialists in early 2010.

Akinwande is well known and respected in his field, but Dr. Debra Carter-Miller, medical director of Mapleton Center for Health, Fitness and Nutrition, said that what makes him extraordinary is that he gives accurate advice and has advanced technology and equipment.

Akinwande feels that too many times, patients are sent from place to place, specialist after specialist and are still left waiting and wondering about their health. To eliminate this issue, Akinwande gives same-day test results. His accredited practice also has a paperless network that is able to send test results immediately back to patients’ primary care physician.

Akinwande also feels it’s his duty to help the less fortunate and treats patients without health benefits. Patients are put on a payment plan and are treated equal to those who have insurance.

Akinwande enjoys seeing his patients get well and attributes much of his success to attentiveness to patients.

“Sometimes doctors come in and seem like they don’t have time to talk to you or listen to you. He’s not like that,” said patient Thelma Crittenden. “He was very thorough and I think he truly likes to help people.”

Akin is noticing a decline in the age of his patients, but plans to continue to help those who need him the most despite the trends. He also plans to develop the Pinnacle brand to become synonymous with quality care.

“I want people to know that they can come here and get their questions answered. I want people…minorities…to know they are getting quality care,” said Akinwande.

For more information, call (317) 931-3252 or visit www.pinnacleheart.com.

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