About

Hearts and Minds at the Leading Edge Can Change the Trajectory of Cardiac Care

A patient’s life can change for the better in a heartbeat. Even patients who have currently limited treatment options and a poor prognosis can gain new hope through advances in minimally invasive procedures and other cutting-edge techniques. At Ascent Cardiovascular Center, we share a determination to help everyone who struggles with heart disease. With our hearts and minds focused on new approaches to healing, each day we challenge the status quo in cardiac care with confidence our treatments add up to something of immeasurable value to patients:

The gift of health and time.

Sachin Diwadkar, MD

A Tampa native, Dr. Sachin Diwadkar is a distinguished interventional cardiologist dedicated to advancing cardiovascular care through clinical excellence, research, and education.

Dr. Diwadkar graduated at the top of his class from the University of Florida, where he was inducted into prestigious honor societies, including Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine before completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City—one of Manhattan’s major hospitals renowned for its history, medical excellence, and clinical expertise.

Returning to Tampa, he pursued a fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital, a nationally recognized program. Further specializing, he completed an additional fellowship in Interventional Cardiology at Tampa General Hospital and its affiliated institutions, including the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. Throughout his training, he received numerous accolades from colleagues, mentors, and patients alike.

Dr. Diwadkar has been involved in research across multiple cardiac subspecialties. His work includes investigating the role of echocardiography in diagnosing left ventricular noncompaction, a rare genetic heart disorder, and exploring the use of cardiac biomarkers to monitor proteasome inhibitor-induced cardiotoxicity in plasma cell cancer treatment. His research has been presented at national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Board-certified in five medical and cardiac subspecialties, Dr. Diwadkar serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. As Collaborative Faculty, he plays an integral role in training the next generation of cardiologists.

Dr. Diwadkar is part of a highly select group of interventional cardiologists managing the most acute and complex cardiac emergencies—including acute heart attacks, acute heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. His expertise in rapid intervention and advanced life-saving therapies makes him a trusted leader in high-risk cardiac care.

Dr. Diwadkar is a distinguished member of the Cardiorenal Transplant Program at Tampa General Hospital, where he plays a pivotal role in managing the intricate cardiac needs of patients undergoing kidney transplantation, both before and after their transplant.

In addition to his clinical and academic expertise, Dr. Diwadkar is a trusted Cardiology Consultant for top professional sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Raptors, delivering specialized cardiovascular care to elite athletes at the highest level of competition.

Kristina Maher, PA-C

Kristina Maher is a nationally certified physician assistant with over a decade of specialized experience in outpatient cardiology. She is highly skilled in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases, advanced cardiac imaging, and cardiac implantable electronic device management.

Kristina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Florida before obtaining her Master of Medical Science from Nova Southeastern University, graduating with honors from both esteemed programs. She maintains certification with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is committed to providing the highest level of patient-centered care.

She began her career under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Harrison, a distinguished cardiologist in the Tampa area, where she gained invaluable expertise in managing complex cardiovascular conditions. Over the years, Kristina has built a reputation for her clinical excellence, meticulous approach, and compassionate patient care. She is highly respected by her colleagues and maintains strong professional collaborations with healthcare providers throughout the community.

With her long-standing dedication to a singular practice, Kristina has cultivated an extremely loyal patient following. Patients describe her as compassionate, knowledgeable, thorough, and attentive, earning their trust through her commitment to personalized, high-quality care.