Beloved cardiologist driven by the desire to save lives

As a child, Dr. Venkat Devineni spent summers on the sets of Bollywood movies produced by his grandfather’s studio. With film as his family’s business, it might have seemed natural for him to pursue a career on the screen or behind the camera. But from an early age, his interest in science drew him to follow his own path.

“Even in high school, when I read about what they were doing in cardiology, it seemed like a really cool thing to do,” he recalls. “I wanted to be a cardiologist because that’s what saves lives.”

That desire led him to begin his internal medicine residency in St. Louis, and then to cardiology training at Loma Linda Medical Center. He came to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in 1998 and has been a fixture in the cardiology department ever since.

He loves the High Desert because of its small-town feel, and because of the big difference his work makes for the local community. Having the world-class cardiology department at Providence St. Mary nearby can truly save lives when every second counts.

When patients need cardiology services — heart failure, cardiac arrest — they are fighting for their lives. We have to act very quickly,” he explains. “If our service was not available, we would have higher mortality.”

It’s that sort of positive impact on people’s lives that Dr. Devineni says makes him most proud.

During his 23 years at the hospital, he’s cared for hundreds of patients, often building close relationships that endure. “I’ve had cards and letters from many patients,” he says. Patients write to tell him how much his care has meant to them and their families.

“It’s those kinds of things that excite me to continue doing what I’m doing,” Dr. Devineni says. “The human connection.”

“For me, it’s about waking up every morning, going to work and making that amazing connection with patients. I can’t see myself doing anything else.”