Regional Leads

Dr. Patrick L. Stafford is an internist in Charlottesville, Virginia and is affiliated with University of Virginia Medical Center. He received his medical degree from University of Maryland School of Medicine and has been in practice between 6-10 years. Dr. Patrick L. Stafford accepts Aetna, United Healthcare - see other insurance plans accepted.

Dr. Michael Kontos, MD is a cardiology specialist in Richmond, VA. Dr. Kontos completed a residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. He currently practices at MCV Associates Physicians - General/Vascular and is affiliated with VCU Medical Center Main Hospital. He accepts multiple insurance plans. Dr. Kontos is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease.

Dr. Manu Kaushik is a cardiologist in Richmond, Virginia and is affiliated with Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital. He received his medical degree from Government Medical College Patiala and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Dr. Justin Heizer is a cardiologist in Suffolk, Virginia and is affiliated with Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He received his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and has been in practice between 6-10 years.

Dr. Robert C. Bernstein is a cardiologist in Norfolk, Virginia and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and Sentara Leigh Hospital. He received his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Peter O’Brien, M.D., F.A.C.C. is board certified in ABIM Interventional Cardiology and ABVM Endovascular and Vascular Medicine, with a special interest in carotid, peripheral and coronary artery disease. After earning his medical degree from the University of Virginia, he completed his internship and residency at the University of Virginia Hospital. He performed fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at the Wake Forest University-Bowman Gray School of Medicine and in peripheral vascular intervention at the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. He loves caring for the Lynchburg community because \"this is my home, and caring for friends and neighbors is a privilege and a chance to give back to my community.\" When he is not providing care at the Heart and Vascular Institute, he likes to spend his time, with family. Dr. O’Brien is a founder and co-chairman of the Virginia Heart Attack Coalition, Medical Director of Madaktari Africa and Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Centra Stroobants Heart Center.

Dr. Berzingi is a graduate of the University of Baghdad, College of Medicine, 1988. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Saladin in Erbil, Iraq and Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland. After completing a general cardiology fellowship at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV and an Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University- Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA, he accepted a faculty position at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV from 2012-2020. Currently, he is employed as an interventional cardiologist and an Associate Professor of Medicine in the General Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Programs at Carilion Clinic’s Cardiovascular Institute in Roanoke, VA. He is the western regional medical director for VHAC (Virginia Heart Attack Coalition). He is a member of the International Committee of SCAI, a published author in peer reviewed journals, an investigator in high risk PCI, acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. He has served on the ABIM’s Standard Setting Committee for the Maintenance of certification exam of interventional cardiology (2017), and on the international committee of SCAI (2018-2021) and made presentations internationally in Istanbul, Turkey Sept 2019; and Cairo, Egypt Nov 2019. The scope of his practice is mostly clinically indicated and complex percutaneous coronary interventions, including: diagnostic coronary angiography; left heart Cath, right heart Cath, Swan Ganz Cath; temporary pacemaker; coronary angioplasty and stent; intracoronary imaging with IVUS and OCT; intracoronary physiology with iFR and FFR; coronary atherectomy with rotational atherectomy and orbital atherectomy; intracoronary laser; use of Impella device for hemodynamic support; ultrasound guidance and micro-puncture needle for access; radial artery access for PCI; large bore access and closure; pericardiocentesis; use of intracoronary stent graft and coils; PCI of high risk lesions to include left main, bifurcation lesions, and chronic total inclusions.

Richard Konstance, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI, is an interventional cardiologist with LewisGale Physicians – Heart of Virginia Cardiology in Roanoke, Virginia. He is also the Director of Interventional Cardiology at LewisGale Medical Center. Dr. Konstance completed his undergraduate work at Penn State University and then earned a medical degree from MCP Hahnemann University. All post-graduate medical training (internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, & interventional cardiology) was done at Duke University from where he also holds an MBA (Duke University Fuqua School of Business). Prior to joining Heart of Virginia Cardiology, where he has been practicing since 2011, Dr. Konstance was a partner at Centre Medical & Surgical Associates in State College, Pennsylvania. During his time practicing in State College, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Konstance initiated the endovascular lab at Mount Nittany Medical Center as well as co-initiating their percutaneous intervention program (PCI). Dr. Konstance’s current practice includes general and interventional cardiology with special interest in the non-surgical management of peripheral vascular disease. Dr. Konstance is welcoming new patients and referrals.