Dr. Hawamdeh, an interventional and structural cardiologist, joined Baptist Health in the summer of 2022 after completing a fellowships in both Interventional cardiology and Structural Cardiology.

Dr. Hawamdeh performs transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis patients at Baptist Health-Fort Smith. The TAVR procedure is performed in the cardiac catheterization lab at Baptist Health-Fort Smith using one of many approaches, the most common being the transfemoral, or through the upper leg, approach. This minimally invasive approach allows Dr. Hawamdeh to place a tissue valve into the heart through a sheath and avoids putting a patient through heart surgery.

For more information about AS, TAVR and if you or someone you know may be a candidate talk to your doctor or call Baptist Health-Fort Smith Valve Coordinator, Mary Jill Otts, RN, at (479) 441-4097.

His practice philosophy focuses on patient-centered care.

“Patient care comes first,” he said. “We work as a team to provide the best care, and achieve the best results.”

Dr. Hawamdeh is originally from Amman, which is the capital and largest city of Jordan. While completing his medical degree in Jordan, Dr. Hawamdeh also worked in a hospital and cared for Syrian war survivors giving him experience with trauma and emergency medicine.

In his free time, Dr. Hawamdeh enjoys staying active outdoors with activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, swimming and all forms of water sports. He also enjoys spending time with friends and family.

“Family time is the best part of the day,” he said. “I’m always on the lookout for a good concert or a play at the theater.”

Dr. Hawamdeh has always loved the theater and even directed plays for pediatric patients at Jordan University Hospital.

“It was an initiative that was started by myself and my friends,” Dr. Hawamdeh said. “We rehearsed and performed plays for pediatrics patients to help lift their spirits.”