Denton County Living Well Magazine Winter 2014 | Page 10

Dr. Makkena Dr. Makkena joined Dr. Qureshi at the Heart Center of North Texas in February of 2011. He went to medical school at UTMB Galveston and received his cardiovascular training at LSU. Raised in Texas as the son of a physician, he knew from early on that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. In his spare time he enjoys playing tennis and golf. Dr. Makkena has a special interest in educating and encouraging patients to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is his hope that together with his patients, he can reduce the risk of illness and enhance their quality of life. He has been instrumental in helping to advance the cardiology program at Presbyterian Hospital Denton. He holds leadership positions at Presbyterian Hospital Denton and Baylor Heart Hospital Denton. 10 Dr. Sontineni Dr. Sontineni joined Dr. Qureshi at the Heart Center of North Texas in June of 2013. Dr. Sontineni received his training at Creighton University in Nebraska. He is a devoted father with a very recent addition to the family. In his spare time, he is busy spending time with his wife and his new child. Dr. Sontineni has had specialized training in procedures for the radial access for cardiac cath labs. Though this practice is still in it’s infancy, many experts predict that radial access will become the standard practice in years to come. Like Dr. Makkena, Dr. Sontineni has a keen focus on educating his patients to lead a higher quality of life through heart-healthy living. DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | WINTER 2014 Betty Johansen Betty Johansen began her nursing career at Flow Memorial hospital as a staff nurse in the ICU in 1973. She went on to become the charge nurse at Flow’s Critical Care Unit in 1977. In the late 70’s, Betty shifted her focus to both inpatient and outpatient cardiac and internal medicine care, and joined Dr. Qureshi at the Heart Center of North Texas in 2000. She is well regarded in Denton for her knowledge, dedication and compassion to our patients and their loved ones, and she strives to focus on the holistic needs of all her patients.