For referrals or more information about our program, call (833) 266-1891, go to online to sentara.com/SHAC
or Click Here for an online referral form.

Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center

Our Approach to Care

The Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center (SHAC) is one of the few centers in the country with the expertise and technology to perform all of the most revolutionary ablation procedures available for the treatment of heart arrhythmias. The center is a national leader in performing the Open Cox Maze IV and minimally invasive Cox Maze procedures, as well as hybrid surgical ablation.

Physicians at the SHAC are committed to employing the latest methods and tools to treat Afib, which is a growing national health concern. Sentara Heart is experiencing an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for Afib. The risk of developing this heart rhythm disorder, which affects nearly 5.1 million Americans, increases with age. As the Baby Boomer generation gets older, the number of people with Afib could triple to 15.9 million by 2050.

Our Center is proud to be a founding member of the National Alliance of Integrated AFIB Centers (NAIAC). NAIAC, comprised of the nation’s top hospitals, is passionate about bringing comprehensive, expert Afib care to patients. NAIAC members are collaborating across facilities and specialties, combining resources, specialists, research and technology. This means that patients receive evidence-based treatment that will offer them the best outcome possible.

Individuals seeking arrhythmia care comprise a very diverse group, some of whom require complex therapies. The SHAC provides a resource for managing unique patients across the region with seamless access to advanced diagnosis and medical and interventional treatments—all within one setting. We are the only center in Southeastern Virginia to bring together highly talented cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiac electrophysiologists in a highly collaborative approach to cardiac care. We consider this centralized treatment process to be an important step forward for patient care and satisfaction.

Sentara Heart Arrhythmia Center Offers:

• A hybrid team approach toward patient care— both a cardiothoracic surgeon and cardiac electrophysiologist review every option with patients to determine the best treatment plan
• Comprehensive Afib treatment program that includes an advanced heart mapping system, advanced diagnostic testing and leading-edge procedures not available anywhere else in the region
• The only advanced hybrid EP cardiovascular operating room in Southeastern Virginia
• Services tailored to referring doctors, ranging from onetime recommendations for medical management to invasive interventions
• A dedicated program navigator who provides a single point of contact to referring doctors and patients through the entire care cycle process
• Access to advanced Afib research studies that areamong the top enrollers in the nation, including:
• ARCA Biopharma Genetic-AF trial
• AtriCure Hybrid DEEP Pivotal AF trial
• AtriCure ABLATE study for openmaze procedures

Clinical Team

Robert Bernstein, MD

Electrophysiologist

Phil Gentlesk, MD

Electrophysiologist

Jon Grammes, DO

Electrophysiologist

Venkat Iyer, MD

Electrophysiologist

Ian Woollett, MD

Electrophysiologist

Jonathan Philpott, MD

Cardiothoracic Surgeon