Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmias near Wilmington, NC

Biography: This physician is accepting telehealth visits. Dr. Cuoco is Board-Certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He received his medical degree and completed his residency at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He then completed his fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Care Philosophy: Our goal is to provide high quality, convenient outpatient Cardiology and Gastroenterology services to the community we serve, creating exceptional value for our patients, our employees, and our partners.

Biography: 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.

Biography: Dr. John Lacy Sturdivant is board certified in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama College of Medicine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dr. Sturdivant completed his residency from the University of Alabama and went to complete his fellowship from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Biography: Heart care is a family passion. My father was a cardiothoracic surgeon, and his love of the heart rubbed off on me. I was fortunate to attend Duke University, where I majored in biomedical engineering. It was there that I figured out how to blend my love of cardiology with my engineering background, leading me to the field of cardiac electrophysiology. \n Electrophysiology can be a complicated field, but I want my patients to understand the parts that are important to them so they can make informed decisions about their care. You will often see me take out my dry erase board to outline steps of different procedures. I want to answer all questions because I know being comfortable with and confident in care can help lead to better outcomes. \n In addition to the time I spend with my patients, I also devote time to professional organizations including the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). These groups allow me to collaborate with providers from across the country, which benefits my patients. My patients also benefit from my involvement in clinical trials across the field of cardiology. \n Along with my wife and three kids, I love living in Wilmington. Together, we enjoy outdoor activities and the beach. We all love swimming, and encourage everyone in our area to learn to swim since water is all around us. Even our labrador retrievers love to swim!

Biography: 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.

Biography: When I give advice to patients, it is the advice I would give to my friends or family members. I want each patient to know that I care about them as a person, and I will be there to see them through any acute issues and any ongoing treatment. \n Earlier in my career, I worked with children taking part in research studies in the hematology/oncology division. I was able to follow patients through their entire time in those studies, and very much enjoyed developing those relationships and providing that continuity of care. I chose cardiology/electrophysiology because it, too, allows me to follow patients in clinic and develop a relationship with them. \n I am proud to have developed the atrial fibrillation clinic and to be the first physician to use radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. As the field of electrophysiology is rapidly changing, I will continue to help bring new technology and research to our community in my role as the electrophysiology division chair. \n Outside of work, I enjoy spending my time with my husband, our two children, and our dog and cat. We love being out on the water and camping. When I have time to myself, I like cooking for family and friends.

Biography: Dr. Taylor Bazemore, MD is a Cardiology Specialist 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 New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Biography: 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.