It's Heart Month once again so we're taking a look at the doctors in our area that make it just a bit more comfortable living in East Texas. Here's a list of expert medical professionals at CHI St. Luke's Health-Memorial, and information about them.

Rohit Kedia – Dr. Kedia is board certified in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular disease, and Echocardiography. He joined the heart institute since July 2012.  He did Residency at UCLA and cardiovascular training at Baylor College of Medicine – Texas Heart Institute.  He keeps office hours both in Lufkin and Jasper.  Dr. Kedia has been instrumental in bringing a state-of-the-art EP program in East Texas. He does complex ablation, pacemakers, deliberator and watchman implants. 

Ravinder Bachireddy – Over the past 30 years, Dr. Bachireddy has held various prestigious positions in the medical community in the East Texas area. He currently serves as the Chief of Cardiology and is on the board of Directors at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial.   Dr. Bachireddy  has won Texas Monthly Super Doctor for eleven years and recently elected into Super Doctor Hall of Fame.  As the President and Founder of the Heart Institute of East Texas, he has helped introduce state-of-the-art technology and the most advanced and respected cardiovascular program to the East Texas area.

Yughandar Manda – Board certified in cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology and internal medicine, Dr. Manda specializes in cardiac, peripheral vascular interventions and structural heart disease. Dr. Manda completed two prestigious fellowships in cardiovascular diseases and interventional cardiology at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, PA. He has been with the Heart Institute of East Texas for over two years and sees patients in Lufkin, Livingston, and Jasper weekly. 

Eric Robinson – As Market Chief Operating Officer, Eric Robinson oversees the day-to-day operations of the three Memorial hospitals in Lufkin, Livingston and San Augustine.

Eric comes from Merit Health Natchez in Natchez, Mississippi where he served as Chief Executive Officer since 2012. In 2015, he was at the forefront of uniting Merit Health Natchez with a former county-owned hospital to create a single, stronger healthcare provider along the Mississippi-Louisiana border. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer at Biloxi Regional Medical Center in Mississippi, a 198-licensed bed facility, and Chief Executive Officer at Select Specialty Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi, a 61-licensed bed facility.

Eric obtained his Master of Science degree in Health Administration in 2005 and his Master of Business Administration in 2004, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Honey Casey –CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin’s Cath Lab Manager Honey Casey has been a nurse for the past nine years. She graduated from Georgia Highlands College before moving to Texas. She worked in the intensive care unit and in critical care before transitioning to the Cath Lab team.

Nancy Sanchez – Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator Nancy Sanchez is a registered nurse with more than a decade of experience in a variety of nursing areas. Nancy excels in critical care nursing, critical thinking and quick assessment—skills that are key to a successful Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Prior to her current role as the Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator for CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial, Nancy served as the Interim Nurse Manger for the hospital’s Progressive Care Unit.

Landon Evans – As only one of 20 registered clinical exercise physiologists in Texas, Landon Evans plans individualized exercise and nutrition programs for patients who want to improve their cardiac health. Landon is a certified personal trainer with a Master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Exercise Physiology. He comes to CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial with clinical experience from hospitals such as East Texas Medical Center and Denton Regional Hospital. His experience also includes working with performance and aging programs at the University of Texas – Tyler. Landon brings with him a knowledge base that allows patients to have exercise programs specifically tailored to their life style, hobbies, and physical needs.  He provides classes with important health education including life style modifications through healthy behavior, environment, and nutrition.

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