Medical Leadership
Cardiovascular Surgery  Dr. Hugh van Gelder, Medical Director Hugh van Gelder, M.D., specializes in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery; general thoracic surgery and peripheral vascular surgery. In 1992, he joined Cardiac Surgical Associates, where he currently is a partner. Dr. van Gelder is a member of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association. He serves as Bayfront’s Medical Director of Cardiovascular Surgical Services and neighboring All Children’s Hospital’s Director of Pediatric Heart Transplantation. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the division of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the University Of South Florida School Of Medicine.
Arrhythmia Dr. Robert Sheppard, Medical Director Robert Sheppard, M.D., specializes in cardiac electrophysiology (EP) and was instrumental in bringing the first clinical EP laboratory to south Pinellas County at Bayfront Medical Center. Medical areas of interest include cardiac arrhythmias, catheter ablation, pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and heart failure. Dr. Sheppard stays on the cutting-edge of cardiology, which includes new heart devices such as the InSync Sentry Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator System. Ultimately, these devices help improve quality of life for heart disease patients. He is the Medical Director of Bayfront’s EP Lab; Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida; and Director of Cardiac EP and Pacing at the Heart & Vascular Institute of Florida
Cardiology              Dr. Vibhuti Singh, Medical Director Vibhuti Singh, M.D., specializes in cardiology (heart disease, hypertension and lipid disorders). In addition to daily patient care, Dr. Singh is involved in clinical research of cardiovascular diseases. A native of India, Dr. Singh is a member of the Suncoast Medical Clinic, located on Bayfront’s campus. He is the Chair of Bayfront’s Department of Medicine; Chief of Bayfront’s section of cardiology and cardiac cath labs; Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine; Vice President of the Pinellas Community Board for the American Heart Association; and Councilor of the Pinellas-Hillsborough District of the American College of Cardiology. .
Dr. Kevin Garner, Medical Director Kevin Garner, M.D., specializes in cardiology (coronary artery disease prevention & treatment, CHF and valvular disease).  A board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Garner is also a member of the American College of Physicians (ACC) and a fellow of the American College of Cardiologists (FACC).  He is a member of the Suncoast Medical Clinic, located on Bayfront’s campus.  After completing his residency at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, he finished a cardiology fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia and University of South Florida.  Dr. Garner has served as President of the Pinellas County Medical Association, as well as is a member of the Florida Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
Endovascular   Dr. Eugene Murphy, Medical Director As a specialist in general/vascular surgery, Tony Murphy, M.D., is dedicated to the care and treatment of all vessels outside the heart and brain. His clinical interests include general, laparoscopic and oncologic surgery; complex vascular reconstruction and repairs; minimally invasive bypass; endovascular aneurysm repair; and peripheral angioplasty and stenting. Dr. Murphy grew up in Ireland and later moved to New York City for further surgery and vascular training. He is a member of the Suncoast Medical Clinic, located on Bayfront’s campus.
Dr. Joshua Rovin, Associate Medical Director Joshua D. Rovin, M.D., was awarded his medical degree from the University of Louisville in 1996 after receiving his Bachelor of Science with Honors degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He completed his General Surgery residency at the University of Virginia. During his residency, Dr. Rovin also completed a two-year research fellowship in cancer cell signaling. He remained at the University of Virginia for his Cardiothoracic Surgery residency. During this training he developed expertise in valve repair, thoracic aortic surgery, valve sparing aortic root reconstruction and endovascular thoracic aortic repair. Dr. Rovin has dedicated himself to providing the highest quality of care for his patients, and believes in utilizing the latest technologies to provide this care.