Juan Villafañe, MD

Biography

As a pediatric cardiologist, I have a special interest in electrophysiology and adult congenital heart conditions.

My passion for cardiology started while I was in medical school. My mentor at that time was a well-known cardiologist who talked with me about congenital heart disease and electrocardiography. I have now been practicing for 40 years, and I still enjoy going to scientific meetings where I can learn about new therapeutic modalities and technical advances.

In my practice, I strive to provide care to the best of my abilities and treat patients and families with kindness and compassion. I like to take into account which medical treatment will be most beneficial to my patients, and I don’t hesitate to consult with colleagues if I feel that by doing so my patient may benefit.

I have received multiple awards from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. I served for three years as governor for the Kentucky chapter of the American College of Cardiology, and I’m active in the American Heart Association at the national, state, regional and community levels.

In addition to helping patients, I have been involved in basic and clinical research for several decades. This includes studies related to the management of syncope, arrhythmias, palpitations and heart murmurs. I have written scientific publications on other topics, including state-of-the-art manuscripts. I was the first cardiac electrophysiologist to report on short-QT syndrome in children, and I have written a number of articles on this topic for major peer-reviewed journals.

In my spare time, I love horseback riding and listening to music. I am involved in a choir that participates in church and patriotic events.