Heather Shenkman, MD.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
I'm an interventional and preventive cardiologists. I see adult patients with all forms of heart disease. However I do take an interest in lifestyle medicine, and am passionate about helping my patients improve their heart health with healthy diet and exercise along with medication when appropriate.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I decided to be a cardiologist because it is a specialty where not only can I help my patients through procedures, such as by opening a blocked artery in the setting of a heart attack, but also I can help prevent a heart attack in the first place through lifestyle and medication.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
One patient in his mid-50's came to me with exertional chest pain. After performing a stress test on his heart, I placed a stent in his coronary artery. After that, he started riding a bike and adopted a whole food plant-based diet. With this, his blood pressure came down and he no longer needed medication for hypertension. He has been able to maintain his positive lifestyle changes for several years now and feels well and has had no further heart issues.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
The hardest part of having a private practice is that not only do I have the responsibility of taking care of my patients, but I also have to worry about the nuts and bolts of running a business.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top 3 tips I would give to anyone looking to start, run, and grow a private practice today would be :
- Don't be afraid to start your own practice. There is so much demand for practitioners of lifestyle medicine.
- Have a business plan. Starting a practice is a daunting task, but when broken down it's doable.
- When you're just getting started, and things aren't busy, go out and promote yourself! Introduce yourself to other doctors who might refer patients to you.