Specialized Care for Kids' Heart Conditions
At AdventHealth for Children, our skilled and dedicated medical team successfully treats a wide range of conditions using the most advanced tools and the safest possible therapies.
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Arrhythmias
When your child’s heart beats in an irregular pattern, either too fast or too slow, this is known as an arrhythmia. Fortunately, most arrhythmias are highly treatable through a procedure called catheter ablation. During this treatment, the tissues that are altering the electrical signals in the heart are modified to permanently correct the rhythm and improve the timing of contractions. Almost all these procedures can now be done “fluoroless” — meaning without radiation. We also have the latest technology in pacemakers, defibrillators and monitoring devices.
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Cardiac Surgery
If your child needs heart surgery, you need peace of mind that they’re in the most compassionate, capable hands. Our expert teams are trained in pediatric open-heart surgery and minimally invasive heart surgery. From initial diagnosis to post-operative care, we’ll guide you and your child each step of the way.
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Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. It is a rare condition that causes an overly enlarged and thickened heart. It has many different forms and requires a treatment plan that is customized specifically to your child’s needs. If your child’s condition requires surgery, rest assured that they'll be in the hands of world-class surgeons.
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Congenital Heart Defects
One of every 100 babies born in the United States is born with a congenital heart defect. Our pediatric cardiology team includes world-renowned experts who are at the forefront of new techniques, technologies and treatments for even the most challenging heart defects.
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Fetal Cardiology
Our highly advanced diagnostic tools use harmless sound waves to capture accurate images of your baby’s heart before delivery. This allows your doctor to help you make informed decisions about treatment. If further monitoring or surgery should be needed, our fetal cardiology team works with high-risk obstetricians, pediatric cardiologists and pediatric cardiac surgeons to develop the best plan for your baby's long-term health.
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Heart Murmurs
With heart murmurs, blood flows abnormally through the heart valves, making a whooshing or swishing sound. They can be detected through a regular wellness checkup or if your child is experiencing various symptoms. Although heart murmurs are common and are often not cause for alarm, talk with a pediatric cardiologist for an evaluation to ensure your child doesn't have an underlying heart condition.
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Valve Disease
With valve disease, blood is either unable to flow forward because of a blocked valve or leaks backward into the heart’s chambers because of a defective valve. These conditions can cause the heart to work harder, making it more difficult to pump blood to the body as the heart weakens.
Ashish Patel, MD
Ashish Patel, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Ashish Patel, MD, is a pediatric and fetal cardiologist with advanced training in cardiac imaging. After receiving his medical degree from Pramukhswami Medical College in India, he went on to complete a pediatric residency at The Children’s Hospital at St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Patel then undertook fellowship training in both pediatric cardiology and advanced cardiac imaging. His areas of research include tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) abnormalities and hybrid stenting in congenital surgery. His primary clinical focus is on general pediatric cardiology and fetal cardiology.
Zahid Amin, MD
Zahid Amin, MD
Medical Director
Pediatric CardiologyDr. Zahid Amin joined our group from Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where he was endowed chair and section chief in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology. A recognized authority in his field who regularly lectures and teaches internationally, his primary focus is on interventions in pediatric and adult structural heart disease, hybrid procedures and percutaneous valve replacement, and the periventricular technique for septal defect closure that he helped pioneer.
Anjlee Patel, MD
Anjlee Patel, MD
Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiology
Anjlee Patel, MD, is a board-certified pediatric and adult congenital cardiologist. She earned her medical degree from Albany Medical College with a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare from Union University in New York. Dr. Patel specializes in diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease and arrhythmias for adults and children, as well as fetal cardiac care. She is board-certified in pediatrics and internal medicine, and she has subspecialty certification in pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease.
Andrew Lee, DO
Andrew Lee, DO
Pediatrics
Andrew Lee, DO, is a board-certified pediatrician who obtained his medical degree from the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Buies Creek, NC. He holds a Master of Science in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, and completed his residency in pediatric medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, FL. He has been a general pediatrician and clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida Health in Jacksonville, FL, since 2021. Dr. Lee seeks to build strong relationships with both the child and their family, and to provide education and support to help children reach their full potential. Dr. Lee is fluent in English and Korean and is dedicated in providing holistic care that considers not only a child’s physical health, but also, their emotional and developmental needs.
Kelvin Lee, MD
Kelvin C. Lee, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Dr. Kelvin Lee is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist with AdventHealth for Children who earned his medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he was the recipient of the Dean Mitchell Baker Award for Excellence in the Field of Pediatric Cardiology. After completing his pediatrics residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital, he returned to Florida for his fellowship training in pediatric cardiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Lee's research interests have included fetal and infant tachycardia, newborn congenital heart disease and, more recently, in the field of post-COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndromes in children (MIS-C).
Sabikha Alam Zulfiqar, MD
Sabikha Alam, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Sabikha Alam Zulfiqar, MD, is a pediatric cardiology physician. Dr. Alam has contributed to a wide range of research, from working in an embryonic heart development laboratory to outcomes research in children with congenital heart disease. She has presented her work at several national cardiology conferences. She also enjoys engaging in quality improvement initiatives, clinical education and community outreach. Dr. Alam is eager to continue building compassionate relationships with her patients and families. She is excited to be part of the cardiology inpatient team and general cardiology outpatient services.
Hao Hsu, MD
Hao Hsu, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Hao Hua Hsu, MD, has been a board-certified pediatric cardiologist since 2010. He joined our elite pediatric cardiology team in Central Florida from Omaha, Nebraska. He was the director of the pediatric cardiology fellowship program at the University of Nebraska (UN) Medical Center. Dr. Hsu graduated from Harvard University with a degree in biomedical engineering and was a scholarship recipient at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. He remained in Birmingham for his pediatrics residency, then undertook his cardiology fellowship with the Pediatrics Department at the University of Florida, followed by an advanced imaging fellowship at the University of Colorado in Denver.
Matthew Zussman, MD
Matthew E. Zussman, MD, MSc
Pediatric Cardiology
Matthew Zussman, MD, MSc, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist who is fellowship-trained in pediatric and adult congenital interventional cardiology. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures to help diagnose and fix congenital heart problems. He specializes in the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and atrial septal defects (ASD). He also has extra training in pulmonary hypertension in children. He completed a master's degree in clinical and translational research at the University of Cincinnati, followed by an additional fellowship in interventional cardiology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Susan Rifai, MD
Susan Rifai, MD
OBGYN
Susan Rifai, MD, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She then earned her medical degree from the University of Florida college of Medicine and recently completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, FL. Dr. Rifai is involved in various professional associations, including the American College of Obstetrics Gynecology. Dr Rifai’s goal is to take care of women in all phases of life; helping them to navigate pivotal times in their lives including adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. She aims to make patients feel that they are being listened to and to provide up to date evidence-based care. She wishes to make her patients feel at peace when they leave their visit.
Patricia Elizabeth Thomas, MD
Patricia Elizabeth Thomas, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Patricia “Elizabeth” Thomas, MD, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist. Before joining AdventHealth for Children, Dr. Thomas served as the Director of Pediatric Electrophysiology for more than 12 years. She is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Pediatric Cardiology. She is also certified by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners as a pediatric electrophysiology specialist and is a fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.
Jorge Garcia, MD, FACC, FASE
Jorge A. Garcia, MD, FACC, FASE
Pediatric Cardiology
Jorge A. Garcia, MD, FACC, FASE, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist and Medical Director of AdventHealth for Children Pediatric Echocardiography Lab. He specializes in noninvasive imaging, including fetal, pediatric and transesophageal echocardiography. He uses other imaging modalities, stress tests, Holter and event loop monitors for diagnosing congenital heart diseases in children, including arrhythmias and other heart disorders.
We're on a Mission to Advance Pediatric Care
At AdventHealth for Children, we have been nationally recognized for our leadership in advanced treatments, breakthrough research and the compassionate care of children and their families.
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Gold Standard in Nursing
For a second time, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has granted AdventHealth for Children Magnet recognition, which establishes the hospital as a national leader in nursing and patient care. Only 7% of the nation’s hospitals have received this recognition.
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Top 6% in the Nation for Patient Safety
AdventHealth for Children was awarded the Top Children’s Hospital award by The Leapfrog Group as one of the nation's safest children’s hospitals — an honor earned by only eight U.S. children's hospitals.
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Excellence in Life Support Care
AdventHealth for Children is an ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organization) Center of Excellence in Life Support, Platinum Level, in collaboration with AdventHealth. This distinguished award recognizes programs that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to providing quality care for high-risk patients needing specialized life support. AdventHealth is one of 32 national and internationally recognized Extracorporeal Life Support centers and the only awarded center in Central Florida.
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Highest Quality in Electrophysiology Care
AdventHealth for Children has received accreditation for consistently setting high standards in pediatric cardiovascular echocardiography while providing the best care possible for our patients and their families.