Patients gain easier access to heart rhythm care at three Central Florida hospitals

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 4, 2025 — AdventHealth is expanding access to advanced heart rhythm care, bringing ablation procedures to three more Central Florida hospitals. The new service at AdventHealth East Orlando, AdventHealth Apopka and AdventHealth Altamonte Springs reflects the system’s commitment to whole-person, accessible care — and for patients, it’s already making a difference.

For John Pinkley, who had his ablation performed by Dr. Sambit Mondal at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs, the experience was life-changing.

“Before my ablation, my energy was low, I was lethargic, and I even gave up golf,” Pinkley said. “My wife noticed my color was bad and I struggled just to get through the workday. I knew something wasn’t right.”

After being referred for the procedure, Pinkley said the care team made him feel comfortable every step of the way. “The whole process was smooth. They explained everything thoroughly and took great care of me,” he said.

“My energy came back, my color returned, and I feel like myself again.” - John Pinkley

The results were dramatic. “My energy came back, my color returned, and I feel like myself again,” Pinkley said. “It’s made a huge difference in my life.”

What ablations do

Dr. Marc Iskandar, a cardiac electrophysiologist with AdventHealth Apopka, said ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that corrects abnormal electrical signals in the heart, which can cause irregular rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. By delivering heat, freezing or electrical pulses through catheters, physicians can stop or modify the circuits causing the abnormal rhythm.

Though technically complex, Iskandar noted that recovery is often quick. Most patients return home within 24 to 48 hours and resume normal activities in about a week. With atrial fibrillation alone projected to increase 132% by 2030, he said the expansion will serve a critical and growing need.

Meeting a growing demand

“The demand for these procedures has grown dramatically,” said Dr. Mahmoud Altawil, cardiac electrophysiologist at AdventHealth East Orlando. “Expanding into our community hospitals allows patients to be treated in a timely fashion, without having to travel across the region.”

Previously, patients often had to travel to AdventHealth Orlando or AdventHealth Celebration, the only campuses approved to perform ablations. A recent change in state regulations now allows hospitals meeting specific criteria to offer the procedure, opening the door for more community-based care.

To launch the service, the three campuses collaborated to create a specialized electrophysiology float team of six experts. The team rotates among the hospitals three days a week, providing consistent support for physicians and patients. As case volumes grow, each hospital will eventually build its own dedicated team.

“Patients can expect the same high level of care close to home.” - Dr. Sambit Mondal

Breaking down barriers

For Dr. Sambit Mondal, a cardiac electrophysiologist at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs, said the expansion is also about removing barriers to care. “The Altamonte, Lake Mary and Oviedo region represents nearly half a million people,” he said. “For many, traveling downtown felt far and overwhelming. Now, we can bring world-class treatment into a community hospital setting that feels accessible and familiar.”

Mondal, who has performed complex ablations for nearly two decades, said the program is supported by staff with extensive training at AdventHealth Orlando. “Patients can expect the same high level of care close to home,” he said.

“We’re here to care for your heart." - Dr. Marc Iskandar

Looking ahead

“This is just the beginning,” Dr. Marc Iskandar said. “We’re here to care for your heart — close to home, with the same expertise and compassion you would expect anywhere in our network.”