Dr. M. Fernando Salazar is the Chairman of the Board at Bay Area Heart Center. He has had prestigious and nationally rare achievement of being on the Board of Trustees at three of the large Heart Hospitals in Pinellas County (Largo Medical Center, Northside Hospital and St. Anthony’s Hospital). He has also had the rare distinction of being elected by his peers as President and Chief of the Medical Staff of Physicians at two of the large Heart Hospitals (Northside Hospital and St. Anthony’s Hospital). He is the immediate past President and Chief of the Medical Staff of Physicians at St. Anthony’s Hospital and is on the Board of Trustees.

He was the Chief of Cardiology and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Northside Hospital and Tampa Bay Heart Institute. Dr. Salazar served as the Medical Director for the Tampa Bay Heart Institute at Largo Medical Center. He was the Chief of Medicine at Saint Anthony’s Hospital. He serves on the Baycare Clinical Leadership Council and led as Chairman of the Quality Council at Saint Anthony’s Hospital as well as being the Chairman of many other hospital committees. He has served on the Board of Governors for the Pinellas County Medical Society.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Salazar received his Medical Degree from the State University of New York. Dr. Salazar completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in New York, where he was honored to be elected as the Chief Resident. He then pursued subspecialty training in Cardiovascular Medicine at the Sisters of Charity Medical Center in New York, having the privilege to serve as the Chief Fellow in Cardiovascular Medicine. Additionally, he was appointed Clinical Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York and Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College.

During his training, Dr. Salazar was elected Resident of the Year and earned several awards for cardiovascular research from the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Salazar has the distinguished accolade of receiving the HCA Frist Humanitarian Award, which recognizes individuals whose daily dedication and care giving epitomize the highest standards of quality and personal commitment. He is well known for his outstanding bedside manner, ability to explain complex issues, quality of care, leadership, professionalism and dedication to excellence.

Joined Practice: 1999
Medical Degree: State University of New York
Internship: St. Vincent’s Medical Center, New York
Residency: St. Vincent’s Medical Center, New York
Fellowship: Sisters of Charity Medical Center, New York

Professional Distinctions:
Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP)
Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC)
Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI)

Certifications:
ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine
ABIM Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease
CBNC Board Certified in Nuclear Cardiology