NCH Rooney Heart Institute: Shona V. Velamakanni, MD

Dr V explains procedures well and is to the point. She presents herself well and says it like it is which I like. I highly recommend her and know how conscientious she is. She saved my life five years ago.

Dr V has been treating me for over 3 years. For me she is what the doctor ordered. She is well qualified, committed and CARES and does not capitulate to my sorry excuses for not following her instructions. I feel Dr V is committed to getting me well and I eventually found myself staying on track not to disappoint her. Otherwise I always found a way to approve myself to cheat. Dr V always gives me the time I need and I never feel rushed. She knows who I am, my history and our previous discussions before she comes in the room. The portal is a great way to communicate with Dr V and her assistant Angie - great team. Their responses come quickly and are clear. I highly recommend Dr V. for anyone serious about living a better life with a not so good heart.

Dr Velamakanni is amazing. She listens to concerns and helps make a plan of care for my health issues. I feel extremely lucky to have her as my cardiologist.

Dr. Velamakanni has been my cardiologist for 12 years. I trust her with all my heart. She listens and is extremely knowledgeable. She is an outstanding doctor and her nurse Angela Young is the best.

I can't speak to Dr. Velamakanni's professionalism because we never got the chance to meet her. What I'm writing the review about is her office's policy of indifference and lack of communication. My daughter contacted her scheduling department and they told her she needed to send in her medical records before Dr. Velamakanni would approve a scheduling. Now, important to understand my daughter was requesting a simple follow-up appointment and echocardiogram...very routine. My daughter is a cancer survivor and received cardiotoxic drugs in her chemotherapy protocol. Here's my issue. Again, simple clinic visit for echo and the doctor's interpretation of results. My daughter sent in a fax of her medical records, clearly indicating her cancer diagnosis and chemo received. No one ever called her back. Secondly, I can only assume by the "send in medical records and the doctor will approve / deny" policy can only appear to a normal person as elitist or condescending. The ONLY reason we sought Dr. Velamakanni out was due to Covid-19 and my daughter not wanting to travel to either of her normal medical centers....Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins. Not once in my 18 years of dealing with medical professionals regarding my daughter's issues have I ever had this kind of policy and/or non-response. Actually, even in my personal life I've not had such an experience. Bottom line, maybe Dr. Velamakanni is a capable cardiologist, but her clinic admission policy and lack of communication, especially insensitivity to a young cancer survivor, is inexcusable.