Since Florida Heart Group began in 1979, it has grown to become one of the state's most dynamic leaders in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Several of our cardiologists have been the first in Florida to perform certain cardiovascular procedures making our practice one of the most innovative in the region. By providing a full range of cardiovascular services, our team of cardiologists and dedicated support staff have enabled thousands of patients throughout Florida to live longer and healthier lives.

Florida Heart Group began in 1979 as a two-man cardiology practice with Dr. Philip Littleford and Dr. R. Charles Curry, Jr.

Dr. Kerry M. Schwartz joined Dr. Littleford and Dr. Curry in 1980, and by 1983 had established the first comprehensive cardiac arrhythmia service in Central Florida. Over the years, Florida Heart Group has expanded to its present size of 18 full-time Board certified cardiologists who bring to the practice considerable expertise and a multitude of talent in the areas of invasive and non-invasive cardiology, interventional cardiology and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. We serve a large geographic area and have a total of 5 offices in Central Florida. We are also on staff at all of the major hospitals in our coverage area. On August 1, 1995, we moved into our new 27,000+ square foot office that was designed by us specifically as a "cardiology only" facility to provide prompt, convenient, and efficient care for our patients with all cardiac services located on one floor. Its open spaces provide a relaxed atmosphere for both our new and return patients and allows us to provide a full range of outpatient cardiac services aimed at the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

In 1995, we added Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP's) to our practice. They provide an additional level of care at Florida Heart Group by being able to see both return patients and patients that need to be "worked in" on short notice so that the longest waiting time for an appointment for a non-acute cardiovascular problem is 48 hours or less.

Also in 1995, we started a Congestive Heart Failure Clinic under the direction of Dr. Mark R. Milunski, recognizing the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of this ever growing cardiac problem. The clinic places an emphasis on the economical out-patient management of congestive heart failure.

Our new state-of-the-art cardiology clinic is deliberately designed to place our top priority on serving our patients' needs. From the convenient drop-off area underneath a protective red canopy to the glass block and granite entry we work diligently to provide a friendly, comfortable, functional and efficient environment for our patients. In keeping with that goal, all clinical areas are located on the first floor. To prevent any feelings of isolation or claustrophobia, all treatment areas are light and open. A full-time receptionist is available at each of four distinct examination areas, called Pods. Each Pod has two sides, each with three examination rooms, a nurses' station and a telephone/dictation area (a total of 22 examination rooms). Two physicians can see patients at one time in each of the pods, with a light / call system leading doctors from one patient to the next. Although pods are designed exactly the same, each is distinguished by its own color scheme which serves as a convenient guide for our patients throughout the clinic.

Diagnostic services are located in the center of the building, directly accessible from each of the three pods. Services such as the treadmill room, echocardiography / ultrasound room and Arrhythmia / Pacemaker / Defibrillator Clinic are conveniently situated within reach of all physicians, nurses and technicians working in the pods.

Also located on the first floor is our Coumadin Clinic and our Nuclear Cardiology department where we conduct SPECT imaging utilizing the latest in nuclear imaging technology. The ambulance entrance is strategically placed on the first floor for emergency purposes. Administrative and patient business areas are located on the second floor which is easily accessible by elevator.

On August 13, 1997, we opened our outpatient cardiac catheterization laboratory located on the second floor of our main office in Orlando. Here we provide a complete range of invasive cardiac imaging modalities utilizing a completely digital, filmless Philips imaging system. All studies are stored on compact disc (CD). It was the first unit of its kind to be put into use in the state of Florida. Through careful patient selection, we are able to provide our patients with invasive cardiac imaging in a safe and relaxed environment. We are able to perform angioplasty and stenting of renal (Kidney) arteries as well in an outpatient setting.  Our ongoing quality assurance program and patient satisfaction surveys provide us with the data we need to keep this facility safe and in absolute top operating condition.

We have also installed an electronic medical record that allows us to track outcomes data on all of our patients as well as provide immediate access to the medical records and data of any patient in our practice regardless of the office in which they are being seen.  The system is very versatile and allows almost any conceivable type of question to be asked about patient care and treatment and allows statistics from our group to be compared with national standards. In this way, we feel that we can monitor our own outcomes to once again ensure that we are providing the best and most economical care for our patients.