FORT SMITH, Ark. – Amit Taggarse, MD, has joined Baptist Health Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Center-Fort Smith at 1500 Dodson Ave., Suite 285B, in Baptist Health Medical Plaza.
Dr. Taggarse is a cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in caring for high-risk cardiac patients with advanced heart failure requiring left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). He also has advanced fellowship training in mitral and aortic heart valve repair, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Septal Myectomy for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy from Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Taggarse, who has devoted more than 20 years of his life to caring for the hearts of his patients, was raised in Hyderabad, India, by parents who were also surgeons. He earned a medical degree from Osmania Medical College and completed residency in general surgery. He went on to complete a residency in cardiothoracic surgery at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences followed by Advanced Fellowships at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr.Taggarse most recently cared for patients at Doctor’s Hospital Renaissance (DHR) in McAllen, Texas, where he operated on more than 750 patients and successfully established the first ECMO program in the Rio Grande Valley which saved many people suffering from advanced heart or lung failure.
“I believe that I am a servant of God with the privilege to help prolong life and reduce suffering; their safety and well-being is my religion,” said Dr. Taggarse.
Devon Hughes, PA-C, also recently joined the practice. Hughes earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Northeastern State University in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. She has more than 10 years experience in health care and most recently served as a cardiac catheterization laboratory technologist at Baptist Health-Fort Smith. She will work alongside the cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons in both the hospital and clinic.
Hughes is dedicated to advancing cardiovascular and thoracic health, and is committed to helping her patients achieve optimal outcomes and recovery.
“Overall, I want my patients to feel confident and supported in their health care journey, knowing they have a compassionate and knowledgeable partner at their side,” Hughes said.
For more on the services of Baptist Health Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Center-Fort Smith, visit Baptist-Health.com or call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST.
About Baptist Health
For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 250 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app.