AdventHealth has expanded its heart rhythm care services to three additional hospitals in Central Florida. Ablation procedures are now available at AdventHealth East Orlando, AdventHealth Apopka, and AdventHealth Altamonte Springs. This expansion aims to make advanced cardiac care more accessible for patients in the region.
John Pinkley underwent an ablation at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs, performed by Dr. Sambit Mondal. Pinkley shared his experience: “Before my ablation, my energy was low, I was lethargic, and I even gave up golf,” he said. “My wife noticed my color was bad and I struggled just to get through the workday. I knew something wasn’t right.” He added that the care team provided thorough explanations and support throughout the process. “The whole process was smooth. They explained everything thoroughly and took great care of me,” Pinkley said.
“My energy came back, my color returned, and I feel like myself again,” Pinkley continued. “It’s made a huge difference in my life.”
Dr. Marc Iskandar, a cardiac electrophysiologist with AdventHealth Apopka, explained that ablation is a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct abnormal electrical signals in the heart that can cause irregular rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. Physicians use heat, freezing, or electrical pulses delivered through catheters to stop or modify circuits causing abnormal rhythms.
Iskandar noted that recovery from ablation is often quick; most patients return home within 24 to 48 hours and resume normal activities in about a week. He also highlighted the increasing need for these procedures as atrial fibrillation cases are projected to rise significantly by 2030.
Dr. Mahmoud Altawil, a cardiac electrophysiologist at AdventHealth East Orlando, commented on growing demand: “The demand for these procedures has grown dramatically,” he said. “Expanding into our community hospitals allows patients to be treated in a timely fashion, without having to travel across the region.”
Previously, patients needed to visit either AdventHealth Orlando or AdventHealth Celebration for ablations due to regulatory restrictions. A recent change in state regulations now permits hospitals meeting specific criteria to offer this procedure locally.
To support the new service at these locations, a specialized electrophysiology float team of six experts rotates among the hospitals three days per week. As case numbers increase over time, each hospital plans to establish its own dedicated team.
Dr. Sambit Mondal emphasized removing barriers for local residents: “The Altamonte, Lake Mary and Oviedo region represents nearly half a million people,” he said. “For many, traveling downtown felt far and overwhelming. Now, we can bring world-class treatment into a community hospital setting that feels accessible and familiar.” Mondal added that staff supporting this program have extensive training from AdventHealth Orlando.
Looking ahead, Dr. Marc Iskandar stated: “This is just the beginning,” he said. “We’re here to care for your heart — close to home, with the same expertise and compassion you would expect anywhere in our network.”
AdventHealth Orlando is located in Orlando, Florida and was founded in 1908; it serves as both a pediatric ward provider and training hospital under president Terry Shaw.
