As a cardiologist, Dr. Stefan Sicinschi is used to treating complex conditions.
But, as the newest member of St. Tammany Health System’s cardiology team, his message to potential patients is as simple as could be: Don’t wait.
“I focus on the preventative screenings and lifestyle changes, so it’s important for patients to know they don’t have to wait until they’re sick to see me,” Dr. Sicinschi said. “They can come see a cardiologist for all sorts of screenings, and not just the heart. I screen the cardiovascular system in its entirety.”
That focus on cardiovascular health wasn’t always his professional goal. As the son of a cardiologist, he has long been interested in medicine but was determined to chart his own path.
Eventually, though, he couldn’t deny the obvious: He loved the science and practice of cardiology.
“When I was doing my rotations in internal medicine, I looked at every specialty, and no matter what I looked at, I couldn’t find anything better than cardio,” he said. “So I thought, you know what? I think I love cardiology.”
Growing up in New Orleans, Dr. Sicinschi attended Grace King High School, although he didn’t graduate from there due to 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, which sent his family packing to Tennessee.
Following his high school graduation there, he returned home to earn an undergraduate degree at the University of New Orleans, followed by a medical degree at LSU School of Medicine. That was in turn followed by a cardiovascular disease fellowship at LSU Shreveport, where he also did his internal medicine residency.
Along the way, he did a surgical rotation at St. Tammany Health System, so when it was time to find a professional home, it was only natural for him and his wife – who is also from New Orleans – to look to the Northshore.
“I remember I really liked that experience there,” Dr. Sicinschi said. “It was a while ago – like 10 years ago – but I liked it, so when I was searching for a job, this was one of the hospitals that I had a good vibe with from the past. I knew this was where I wanted to be.”