Interventional Cardiologist Joins FirstHealth Cardiology Services
| Date Posted: 9/24/2014
 William L. Harris, M.D. |
PINEHURST – Throughout medical school, William L. Harris, M.D., found the study of physiology, especially the heart and cardiovascular system, particularly fascinating.
His interest was fueled by his mother’s personal battle with coronary artery disease, a condition that eventually took her life. According to Dr. Harris, that happens to “too many patients at an early age.”
As the latest addition to the FirstHealth Cardiology physician team, Dr. Harris puts his advanced study of cardiovascular disease to use as he sees patients at the following FirstHealth locations: FirstHealth Cardiology-Raeford, Physician Offices & Specialty Services, 6322 Fayetteville Road, Raeford; FirstHealth Cardiology-Rockingham, 106 Physicians Park Drive, Rockingham; FirstHealth Cardiology-Laurinburg, 1705-A Berwick Drive, Laurinburg; and FirstHealth Cardiology-Pembroke, 102 Livermore Drive, Pembroke.
A former hospitalist physician at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Dr. Harris returned to the FirstHealth of the Carolinas physician network with his new position.
“I am very excited to return to the FirstHealth family,” he says. “My previous experiences with FirstHealth, both as a patient's family member as well as an employee, have been extremely positive and gratifying. While becoming a well-respected and established medical center, FirstHealth continues to maintain a patient-centered atmosphere and recognizes the importance of the patient-doctor relationship.”
A native of Pembroke in Robeson County, Dr. Harris earned his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he received his medical degree from the UNC School of Medicine in 2006. After completing a residency in internal medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in 2009, he spent a year with the Moore Regional Hospitalist Service before entering the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine in Greenville for fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.
While at East Carolina, he was named Cardiology Ward Fellow of the Year for 2011-2012 for his strong clinical skills in patient care. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
In his new role with FirstHealth Cardiology Services, Dr. Harris will perform coronary artery angioplasty and stenting procedures on patients with varying degrees of cardiac illness. He will also evaluate and offer outpatient procedures to patients with peripheral artery disease.
“My interventional training at East Carolina Heart Institute has equipped me with considerable experience in advanced intra-coronary physiology and imaging skills,” he says. “These, in combination with a strong emphasis on office-based coronary perfusion and cardiac imaging techniques, help ensure my patients will receive the best quality results in the catheterization lab. I am also very familiar with inserting and managing advanced mechanical support devices, when appropriate, in critically sick patients. With the primary goal of saving and improving lives, I will be complementary to an already superb cardiovascular care team at FirstHealth.”
Dr. Harris is recently married to Amy Denson Harris, a family nurse practitioner, who shares his passion for health care. An avid sports fan, he enjoys golfing and attending various sporting events.
“I look forward to serving the community and the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with new friends and colleagues,” he says.
To make an appointment with Dr. Harris, call (855) 695-7915 toll-free.
