A native of Teaneck, New Jersey, a suburb ten minutes from New York City, Dr. Ari Gartenberg joins Akron Children’s as the newest provider in the Heart Center. He will be practicing both interventional and general cardiology.
“During my first interview, the warmth and collegiality was palpable as I met people from Akron Children’s Heart Center,” reflects Dr. Gartenberg.
Dr. Gartenberg and his wife, Atara, recently welcomed their third child, Jonah. When he is not working, he and his family, including Maya (age 5) and Annie (age 2), love to explore the Metroparks across Northeast Ohio.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Joining a group of dedicated providers in the Heart Center who are equally committed to consistently providing the highest quality care, I hope through my role as an interventional cardiologist to be able to provide new, innovative and minimally invasive therapies to patients with congenital heart disease.
What impression do you want to leave with your patients each day?
I want my patients and their families to feel that they have a provider who listens to their concerns, worries, and fears. I consider their trust in me as a doctor to be the highest honor, and I hope that they know that I will work tirelessly on their behalf to offer the safest and most comprehensive care.
What different skills do you have that help you practice medicine?
I have been described as tenacious (or stubborn, if you ask my wife), which is a quality that I apply in my practice of medicine to advocate for my patients and their families. I am determined to innovate and to problem solve in whatever ways are necessary to achieve the best outcomes for my patients.
What are you most looking forward to?
I look forward to being able to contribute to the continued growth of Akron’s Heart Center. Having trained at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, I’m excited to learn from a new set of colleagues and perspectives and synergize these with my current practices.
What achievements are you most proud of?
I love hiking and traveling to new places. A few years ago, I had planned to hike up the South Sister Mountain in Oregon. After waking up at dawn and hiking for several hours, I was quite surprised when I encountered a thick blanket of snow lying between the mountain’s base and its summit. Not to be deterred, I foraged through the snow, and despite a couple of additional hours, managed to successfully reach the 10,358 foot peak. If you’re ever considering taking the trek, the view at the top is well worth it!
What piece of advice did someone give you when you were young that still resonates with you today?
In my orientation to medical school over a decade ago, the Dean opened with the following advice: “Always remember the six ‘P’s – prior proper planning prevents poor performance.” I have endeavored to take this to heart in my practice of medicine in advance of each case in which I participate, always preparing for both the planned and unplanned.
