There are physicians who deeply care for the least of those among us and distance themselves from the concerns of corporate medicine. Then there are physicians of prestige with degrees from famous schools, whose names are splashed on cutting-edge clinical research papers. Mark East, MD of East Cardiovascular Specialists-recently named a Virginia Top Doctor for 2021 by Virginia Top Docs-is both.
  He's an incredibly open-hearted man who treats others as brothers and sisters regardless of their station in life. Cheerfully, he speaks of cardiology as his way of caring for others that just happens to involve highly intricate medicine. Then he speaks of his ongoing clinical research papers, almost as an afterthought, revealing a quiet academic fortitude. He brings the best of both sides to patients at his independent private practice.

Dr. East's vision is for all patients to have direct access to all known medical options, regardless of how new or sophisticated, combined with appropriate natural remedies, bringing a holistic approach to the proverbial bedside. At his independent practice in Norfolk, he has surrounded himself with a like-minded support staff to create a wonderful experience for every patient.

"We do what we think is best for patients without the influence of a business institution," Dr. East explains. "Patients can easily fall through the cracks in the system when no one is really paying attention to them, which is unfortunate since the whole point of medicine is to help those people. I could never practice medicine knowing I treated a patient like that."

Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he learned in church that he had an obligation to serve others. He kept this in mind as he considered career options. He knew he'd been blessed with an academic intellect, so he chose to make use of it. That led him to UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where he earned a degree with impressive marks.

Later, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowships in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at Duke University Medical Center. During his residency, this humble Tar Heel from a middle-class home took to Duke's rigorous academic climate. He had a knack for determining what worked and didn't work, what should be counted as evidence and what shouldn't, what moved the ball forward and what didn't. Because of his proficiency at clinical research, he quickly rose to positions of leadership in Duke's residency program.

After his name appeared on several noteworthy research papers, he was asked to serve as an official peer reviewer. Dissecting clinical arguments from other researchers, he developed a sharp eye for always following the evidence.

What set him apart from many at Duke was that he didn't limit himself to what was published in medical journals. If an affordable natural remedy proved itself in the real world, Dr. East accepted its efficacy as evidence. He truly followed all evidence wherever it led, with certifiable results as his standard.

Dr. East could have made a nice living in the field of medical and research journals, but his convictions led him out of exclusively academic pursuits. An opportunity at a private practice brought him to Hampton Roads. By 2010, he had his own independent practice where he could set the tone.

East Cardiovascular Specialists is a full-scope practice offering interventional cardiology, high-tech diagnostics, research-based treatment plans, care management, and robust nutraceuticals. Prescription medications are used, but patients are encouraged to choose the treatments with which they feel most comfortable, in a process Dr. East calls "Shared Decision Making."

He honestly offers his most thoughtful advice to all of his patients. A people-person by nature, Dr. East enjoys getting to know them as individuals. He doesn't rush them, and he doesn't skim over or belittle a patient's ideas. After assessing a patient's situation through rigorous diagnostic methods, Dr. East and his team pragmatically consider whatever will work best. They steadfastly set their focus on results.

"We have great relationships with many referring physicians," Dr. East remarks. "We make ourselves available to them and their patients."

During the COVID shutdown of 2020, many specialists limited patient interaction in an effort to keep them safe. This sometimes resulted in serious heart conditions not receiving needed attention. Dr. East chose to remain available to his patients throughout the pandemic. It was a risky move at the time, but in retrospect was wise since he intervened to save lives while avoiding infection.

Determining that poor nutrition was an obstacle to cardio health, Dr. East took it upon himself to find a solution. He and his team have developed a product called Master Vitamins to provide people with affordable, high-quality essential nutrients. Master Vitamins provide a bouquet of vitamins, supplements, and minerals that the average person desperately needs.

The practice also offers a program to effectively control hypertension. New technology allows for home-based monitoring, daily analysis of cause-effect triggers, and fewer unnecessary urgent care visits.

Dr. East's office is located in Norfolk behind Sentara Leigh, but he is also affiliated with Norfolk General and has privileges at Maryview and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The practice accepts most major insurances.

When he's not seeing patients, Dr. East can still be found serving as an investigator in ongoing clinical trials. This means he's the one in the thick of conducting the activities. It allows him to directly observe how patients are handling the proposed treatment. By the time a study hits the academic papers, Dr. East already knows whether patients will benefit from it.

"I bring this wealth of knowledge into the room with every patient," Dr. East says. "But it's not enough to just have book knowledge. Here at East Cardiovascular Specialists, we care for and about each patient."