Staff

Your Cardiology Colleagues and Support Team

You will join an established and growing cardiology team at Montrose Regional Health that combines the expertise of visiting specialists with dedicated local providers. This collaborative environment ensures comprehensive cardiac care for the region while maintaining the supportive, collegial atmosphere characteristic of rural practice. Your colleagues genuinely value teamwork and are committed to building a sustainable cardiology service line that serves this community for years to come.

The cardiology program reflects a thoughtful blend of general cardiology and interventional capabilities. While several interventional cardiologists visit regularly to perform procedures in the on-site catheterization laboratory, the team recognizes the critical need for consistent local presence through dedicated outpatient providers like yourself. This structure allows you to focus on your noninvasive practice while maintaining collaborative relationships with interventionalists who handle complex procedural cases.

Cardiology Physicians:

• Mojgan Arashvand, DO - General and noninvasive cardiologist who currently provides outpatient services on a visiting basis, spending one week per month in Cortez and maintaining regular clinics in Montrose and Delta. Dr. Arashvand brings extensive experience in outpatient cardiology and has been instrumental in establishing the cardiology presence in the region. Her insight into practicing in this area, managing the patient population, and building relationships with referring physicians will be invaluable as you transition into this role.
• Arun Selvan, MD - Interventional cardiologist who performs cardiac catheterizations and interventional procedures in the on-site cath lab
• David S. Lee, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist providing advanced interventional services including complex coronary interventions and structural heart procedures
• Irfan A. Rizwan, MD - Cardiologist supporting the comprehensive cardiology service line
• Rakesh K. Bharda, MD - Cardiologist providing consultative and procedural services to the region

Advanced Practice Providers:

• Christina Gerstenberger, FNP-C - Family Nurse Practitioner with cardiology focus, providing continuity of care and supporting the cardiology service line with patient management and follow-up
• Chris Frangos, AGNP-BC, MSN - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner bringing specialized expertise in caring for adult and older adult patients with cardiac conditions

The advanced practice providers play a crucial role in maintaining continuity when physicians are not on-site and managing routine follow-up care for established patients. As the team grows with your addition, there are plans to recruit an additional nurse practitioner who would work closely with you, ideally someone with cardiology experience who can provide seamless coverage and support your practice.

Clinical Support Staff:

• Experienced medical assistants dedicated to cardiology who room patients, perform EKGs, assist with stress testing, and manage patient flow
• Certified cardiac sonographers who perform high-quality echocardiograms and stress echocardiography
• Nuclear medicine technologists trained in cardiac imaging protocols
• Cath lab nursing and technical staff who support interventional procedures
• Cardiac rehabilitation specialists (both RN and exercise physiologist backgrounds)
• Administrative staff who manage scheduling, insurance authorization, and patient communication

Team Culture and Collaboration:

The cardiology team operates with a collaborative, non-competitive spirit where everyone's goal is ensuring patients receive excellent cardiac care close to home. Physicians consult with each other regularly on complex cases, and there is genuine appreciation for each person's contributions to the program. The visiting cardiologists maintain excellent communication, providing timely procedure reports and coordinating care transitions seamlessly.

Dr. Arashvand, who has been building the outpatient cardiology presence, has expressed enthusiasm about having a dedicated full-time colleague to help meet the growing demand for services. She has experienced firsthand how much the community needs consistent cardiology presence and understands the challenges and rewards of establishing a practice in this region. Her willingness to mentor and support a new cardiologist joining the team reflects the collaborative culture you will experience.

The support staff demonstrate impressive longevity, with many team members having worked at Montrose Regional Health for years. They understand rural healthcare, know the patient population well, and take pride in providing personalized care. You will find them eager to support your practice, receptive to your preferences for workflow, and genuinely invested in helping you succeed.

Practice Director:

• Dr. John Frank, MD - Director of the Cardiology Service Line, who provides strategic leadership, manages operations, coordinates with hospital administration, and ensures the cardiology program has the resources and support needed to thrive. Dr. Frank has been instrumental in recruiting for this position and demonstrates deep commitment to building a sustainable, high-quality cardiology program.

As this position fills and the team continues to grow, there is clear institutional commitment to expanding cardiology services, adding resources where needed, and creating an environment where both physicians and patients can thrive. You will be joining at an exciting time when your contributions will directly shape the future of cardiac care in Southwest Colorado.