Today we’d like to introduce you to Pedro Martinez-Clark.
Hi Pedro, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Colombia, South America, and had a bicultural upbringing, frequently moving back and forth between countries. During my medical school years in Colombia, my father fell ill, and I needed to be close to him as my younger brother was still young and my older brother was attending school in Bogota. My family circumstances led me to complete my medical education in Colombia.
However, an opportunity arose during my final year of medical school to participate in an exchange program at the University of Miami (UM) Miller School of Medicine. The wonderful experience there piqued my curiosity and motivated me to explore further academic opportunities as an exchange student. My time at UM led me to the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where I had the privilege of meeting a professor who significantly influenced my career. Under his guidance, I delved into basic science research, a new and exciting experience.
After finishing my rotations as a medical student in Boston, I remained at Harvard as a postdoctoral research fellow under the direction of Dr. Steve Freedman, an esteemed professional in his field. During my two years with him, I published several papers, honed my research skills, and gained valuable insights into translating clinical questions into basic science studies.
Following my time in Boston, I matched for internal medicine training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. There, I worked with another influential mentor, Dr. David Rosenblum, renowned for his research on sudden cardiac death. While completing my residency, I dedicated my evenings and weekends to research in Dr. Rosenblum’s lab, taking advantage of the available time and resources.
Upon completing my residency, I obtained a cardiovascular fellowship at Harvard University. This fellowship allowed me to return to the institution where I had previously conducted my postdoctoral research, but now as a clinical fellow specializing in cardiovascular medicine. The competitive selection process and the opportunity to work with brilliant physicians and researchers significantly impacted my career trajectory.
I moved south to Miami, motivated by family ties and cultural affinity in 2006. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where I joined as faculty, was undergoing a transformative period, with the acquisition of a hospital and the recruitment of Dr. William O’Neil, a prominent figure in interventional cardiology. Working under Dr. O’Neil’s leadership, I had the chance to pursue my interests in medical innovation and entrepreneurship. We embarked on various projects, including developing percutaneous devices and techniques in interventional cardiology. Additionally, we conducted clinical trials and collaborated with physicians worldwide.
When Dr. O’Neil left for Detroit, I stayed in South Florida. I established Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™, my private practice. Simultaneously, I focused on clinical trials in Latin America. This endeavor led to the creation of bioaccess™, a successful Florida-based medical device contract research organization (CRO) that helps US Medtech companies conduct their clinical studies in Latin America.
Since its inception in 2012, Amavita Heart and Vascular Health has experienced significant growth. We now have four locations in Miami-Dade County, including outpatient centers for procedures. Looking ahead, we have ambitious expansion plans set for the next 2-5 years. I take great pride in the success of bioaccess™ and its contributions to fostering medical innovation, as well as the growth and accomplishments of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™.
When I started my clinical practice, I sought the help of a marketing consultant to come up with a name that would meet certain criteria. It had to be short, sweet, and easily pronounceable by Hispanic and American individuals in the cardiovascular field. Finding a name that ticked all the boxes proved to be quite challenging.
While walking in Switzerland with my son, one day, I came across a beautiful pharmacy that captivated me. Everything about it, from the colors to the aroma and product displays, resonated with me. The name of the pharmacy was AMAVITA. Instantly, I knew it was the name I had been searching for. I quickly went online, checked for copyright permissions, and found the name available.
Delving deeper into its meaning, I discovered that in Latin, Amavita translates to “love life.” This name embodies a positive mentality, offers hope, and exudes energy. It gives patients hope, particularly because many individuals we see at Amavita Heart and Vascular Health TM suffer from significant and severe cardiovascular diseases. I believe it is vital to approach their care from a perspective of hope and positivity.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my journey, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to explore different ideas. While many of my ventures were unsuccessful, I learned valuable lessons from those failures. Failures provide important learning opportunities and can shape your mindset for future projects.
These experiences taught me resilience and provided me with practical knowledge that I could apply to my next endeavor. When I started Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™, I had already encountered and learned from numerous setbacks. These failures gave me insights into various aspects of business and helped me develop a street MBA. Learning through experience, especially from failures, has been instrumental in my personal growth and development.
I realized that while being a good physician doesn’t necessarily guarantee success as a business owner, physicians must be involved in the business side of healthcare. After all, healthcare is a business that revolves around the relationship between patients and doctors. Unfortunately, physicians have lost significant control over the healthcare industry. I firmly believe that doctors should be in control or have a certified seat at the decision-making table regarding matters affecting physicians and patients. It is essential to regain and maintain a voice for physicians in shaping the future of healthcare.
In the field of cardiovascular medicine, there has been a noticeable trend toward consolidation, where many physicians are either individual practitioners or employed by hospital systems. This trend is prevalent in South Florida and across the industry.
Working for a hospital system can introduce inherent biases. For instance, if I, as a physician, am employed by the University of Miami, there might be a natural inclination to refer patients within the same system. It is more convenient for me to interact with physicians within my network. As a result, there is a possibility of overlooking the talent and expertise outside of that specific healthcare system.
At Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™, we operate as an independent practice. We don’t have ties to any healthcare system or loyalty to any specific one. Our primary commitment is to patients. We provide the best possible care and service, prioritizing our patients’ well-being’ well-being.
As an independent, full-spectrum cardiovascular practice, we have no constraints on the limitations of a specific healthcare system. Our focus is on the patient’s needs, and we strive to refer them to the most suitable physicians, regardless of their affiliation with a specific healthcare system. Any institutional affiliations or ownership does not bind us. Our loyalty lies with the patient. We are successful when our patients are well and happy with the health outcomes that we give them.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Amavita Heart and Vascular Health?
Dr. Pedro Martinez-Clark, M.D, F.A.C.C, an interventional cardiologist with extensive knowledge in peripheral vascular procedures and heart disease, created Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ in 2017, a complete cardiovascular practice. Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ is an extraordinary cardiovascular practice associated with the Jackson Memorial Hospital system and Mercy Hospital. They specialize in peripheral vascular and heart disease, including coronary arterial disease (CAD), valvular and structural disease, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), among many others.
Their overall quoted mission has always been to “improve patient cardiovascular outcomes with state-of-the-art technology and interventions while providing compassionate care to all patients.” Fulfilling this mission is of the utmost importance to Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™.
Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ have made tremendous efforts to build a full-spectrum independent cardiovascular practice focusing on minimally invasive procedures and cardiovascular diseases from treatment to diagnosis. Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ focus on treating coronary arterial disease (CAD). The development of plaque in the arteries supplying blood to the heart causes CAD. The valvular disease has to do with any valve damaged or diseased, and structural disease refers to conditions that affect your heart’s valves, walls, chambers, or muscles.
The practice also addresses peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD happens when restricted blood vessels slow the blood flow to the limbs. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is when venous valves in the leg are not working properly. CVI manifests with skin changes and edema in the leg.
Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ rely on several sites around Miami-Dade, which enables them to reach out to a range of patients throughout South Florida by providing them with the resources and technology required to treat them. Amavita Heart and Vascular Health™ are committed to supporting the success of young medical professionals by providing resources and mentorship programs that offer a real-life, hands-on experience unmatched by any other program.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have to say that I have been blessed by having several mentors in my personal and professional life. Each one of my mentors have played a huge role in shaping my career and I still think about them pretty much every day. I think i have been good at taking the best traits of each of these mentors and incorporating them into my life. I have to also thank God for giving a very solid family foundation starting with my very strong mother, my brothers and above all my healthy 14 year son who is my main source of inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.amavita.health
- Instagram: Instagram.com/amavita.health
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/pmartinezclark
