The Cardiovascular Care Group

11/15/2025

From Symptoms to Answers: How Our Non-Invasive Vascular Lab Detects Circulation Problems Early
https://vascular.tcvcg.com/blog/from-symptoms-to-answers-how-our-non-invasive-vascular-lab-detects-circulation-problems-early

NJ’s largest Vascular Surgery group. Learn more about The Cardiovascular Care Group and our diagnosis and management of diseases of the arteries and veins.

11/15/2025

We are thrilled to welcome our two newest Physician Assistants to The Cardiovascular Care Group team! 🌟

🎉 Meet Bijal Parmar, PA‑C
Bijal joined our team in 2025 and brings a wealth of experience in vascular surgery and interventional radiology. Her surgical background includes assisting in complex open and endovascular procedures—such as aneurysm repairs, bypass surgeries, carotid interventions, and dialysis access creation and maintenance.

🎉 Meet Victoria Lora, PA‑C
Victoria also joined our team in 2025 and offers strong expertise in interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and cardiac imaging. Her passion for medicine began early through hands-on volunteer work as an EMT and leadership roles with her hometown ambulance corps. Her broad background in cardiovascular care makes her a perfect fit to support our patients with complex vascular and vein health needs.

Please join us in welcoming both Bijal and Victoria to the team. We’re confident they will play key roles in advancing our commitment to providing the highest quality care for our vascular and vein patients.

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Veterans

This Veterans Day, we proudly recognize and thank our team members who have served our country with courage, commitment, and integrity.

💙 Dr. Michael D. Addis – Served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army for eight years after graduating from Dartmouth College. He completed both Airborne and Ranger Schools and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 18th Infantry in Germany. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Dr. Addis earned the Bronze Star Medal for extraordinary bravery in combat against the Iraqi Republican Guard in February 1991.

💙 Dr. Michael Pontoriero – Served in the United States Army from 1987 to 1996, including time in the U.S. Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Major, Commissioned, MC.

💙 Vlastimil Buzek, RVS – One of our vascular technologists, who served in the 50th RSG as a light wheeled mechanic from 2009–2012, achieving the rank of Specialist (E-4).

We thank them—and all veterans—for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to protecting our freedoms. 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

🎉 Happy National Nurse Practitioner Week! 🎉
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible contributions our Nurse Practitioners make every day in advancing vascular care. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), NPs deliver high-quality, accessible, patient-centered care and play a pivotal role in improving health outcomes across the country.

🙏 Thank you to our exceptional team:

Emily Simmons, APN‑C — serving patients at our Denville office and the NBI Clinic.

Elizabeth Coll, APN-C — seeing patients in Hoboken, Clifton and Westfield.

Renae Sharkey, APN-C — working in the NBI Clinic and our Westfield Procedure Suite.

Kaitlyn Hariton, APN-C — our newest NP, practicing in the Clifton Procedure Suite.

Each of them brings deep clinical expertise, compassion and dedication to helping our patients navigate vascular care with confidence. Their role is vital in our mission to deliver exceptional outcomes and patient experience.

📍 Whether it's coordinating care, educating patients, or working alongside our physicians and technologists — our NPs help ensure every patient receives timely, individualized attention.

🩺 To all NPs everywhere: we honor your skill, leadership and heart. Thank you for being the difference-makers behind the scenes.

11/08/2025

💛 Celebrating 30 Years of IAC Accreditation in Vascular Testing!

We’re proud to share that The Cardiovascular Care Group has received the Gold Milestone Recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for maintaining 30 years of continuous accreditation in Vascular Testing — a distinction that reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence, accuracy, and patient safety.

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) invited accredited facilities nationwide to share photos with their recognition plaques — and we’re thrilled to highlight our Clifton Vascular Lab team:
🩺 Lindsay Musumeci, RVT and Anzhela Yatina, RVT, pictured here with Dr. Pontoriero, proudly holding the award.

Our labs are led by Technical Director Amanda Burton, BS, RVT, whose leadership and expertise ensure every study meets the highest diagnostic and quality standards.

Since first achieving accreditation in 1995, TCVCG has continued to uphold the IAC’s “gold standard” for vascular imaging — delivering precise, compassionate care that improves outcomes and saves lives.

11/07/2025

🔍 What’s That Procedure: EVAR

An Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms—those dangerous bulges in the wall of an artery that can quietly develop over time.

Instead of open surgery, EVAR uses tiny punctures in the groin to guide covered stent grafts into the weakened section of the artery. Once in place, the graft forms a “tunnel” that reinforces the vessel and protects it from pressure—dramatically reducing the risk of rupture.

For many patients, EVAR means shorter recovery, smaller incisions, and a safer path to healing.

More advanced forms, known as Complex EVAR, use specialized grafts with side branches and “endoanchors” to repair more challenging aneurysms—all with the same minimally invasive approach.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an aneurysm, it’s important to talk to a board-certified vascular surgeon about your options.

👨‍⚕️ Learn more and schedule a consultation with The Cardiovascular Care Group — New Jersey’s leader in comprehensive vascular care.

11/06/2025

Celebrating National Radiologic Technology Week (Nov 2–8)!

This week, we proudly recognize our outstanding Radiologic Technologist/Special Procedures Techs — Tirzah Lopez (Clifton Suite), Jimmy Laurore (Westfield Suite), and Marie Agnoli (Denville Suite) — for their essential role in delivering exceptional vascular care.

From operating fluoroscopy equipment to assisting in complex vascular procedures, their expertise ensures precision, safety, and compassionate patient care every single day.

National Radiologic Technology Week honors the professionals who make medical imaging and interventional procedures possible — helping physicians see clearly and treat confidently.

Thank you, Tirzah, Jimmy, and Marie, for your dedication and skill in helping our patients receive the highest quality vascular care.

💙🩻

11/05/2025

Let's Welcome Our Newest Physicians!

The Cardiovascular Care Group is proud to welcome Dr. Kristen Lee, DO and Dr. John Anagnostakos, MD, to our team of board-certified vascular surgeons.

🩺 Dr. Kristen Lee, DO
Dr. Lee completed her Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency at Rutgers–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she served as Chief Resident. Her clinical interests include endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, limb salvage, hemodialysis access, and carotid disease. Born in New York and raised in Scotch Plains, NJ, Dr. Lee brings both technical precision and a compassionate touch to her work. Outside the office, she enjoys hiking, jet-skiing, camping, cooking, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

🩺 Dr. John Anagnostakos, MD
Dr. Anagnostakos joins us with extensive training in vascular and endovascular surgery from Temple University Hospital. His fascination with technology and patient-centered care began during his surgical residency, where he was drawn to the precision and variety of vascular procedures. He has a strong clinical interest in carotid artery disease management and has published widely in the field. Originally from Newtown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Anagnostakos enjoys deep sea fishing, playing piano and guitar, and spending time at the Jersey Shore.

Learn more about our physicians by visiting our Providers page: https://hubs.ly/Q03RPSWy0

We’re excited to have both Dr. Lee and Dr. Anagnostakos bring their expertise, dedication, and passion for patient care to The Cardiovascular Care Group. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!

11/04/2025

🏃‍♂️ What an incredible day at the RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk!

This past Sunday, more than 40 TCVCG team members and their families joined thousands of participants at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange for this amazing celebration of health, community, and teamwork.

We’re proud to support this annual event in partnership with the New Jersey Devils — promoting active lifestyles, gratitude for healthcare workers, and the power of coming together for a great cause.

💙 A huge thank you to RWJBarnabas Health for organizing such a memorable day, and to every runner, walker, volunteer, and supporter who made it happen. Here’s to strong hearts, healthy legs, and even stronger community spirit!

11/04/2025

Always delighted to share the positive experiences our patients have with our doctors.

"Dr. Sturt was very pleasant and knowledgeable and took plenty of time with me to address my concerns" - Peter M.

11/03/2025

Meet Dr. Scott Sundick!

A board-certified vascular surgeon and interventionalist at The Cardiovascular Care Group, Dr. Sundick specializes in minimally invasive treatments for aneurysms, carotid artery disease, and peripheral artery disease.

He represents the new generation of surgeons who combine traditional surgery with advanced endovascular techniques — offering patients safer, faster, and more effective care.

Outside of the OR, you’ll find him golfing, playing tennis, or hiking with his family.

10/31/2025

One in a minion reasons we love our team! 💛 Happy Halloween from Dr. Sales & crew!