Carthage Man with A-Fib Encourages Awareness
For Carthage resident Robert Gordon, an unexpected bout with COVID-19 revealed something even more unexpected: atrial fibrillation, also called A-Fib.
Reid Heart Center: FirstHealth Cardiac & Vascular Institute
Explore innovations and treatments at Reid Heart Center.
7 Signs It May Be Time to See a Cardiologist
Think you should wait until you have heart issues before figuring out how to keep your heart healthier? Think again.
Heart Failure Clinic Provides Specialized Care
Don't skip a beat. Trust FirstHealth's Heart Failure Clinic to support you through recovery or prevention.
10 Warning Signs of AFib
AFib is an abnormal firing of electrical impulses within the heart causes the top chambers of the heart, called the atria, to quiver or fibrillate (beat very fast).
Advancements in Heart Care at Reid Heart Center
Learn about advancements in heart care at Reid Center from cardiothoracic surgeon Peter Ellman, M.D.
Heart & Vascular Care
FirstHealth leads the region in advanced heart and vascular care. Our services are offered in the state-of-the-art Reid Heart Center in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and in our seven cardiology clinics throughout our region.
Overview
The Reid Heart Center team is not only among the most respected cardiologists, surgeons, nurses and techs in the field of heart care, but they are also members of our community. They have made a firm commitment to ensuring that we have world-class heart care right here in the heart of the Carolinas.
All Heart Services
The FirstHealth heart program features next generation cardiac and vascular care. We invite you to learn more about our comprehensive services below.
Patient Experiences

Robert Gordon, A-Fib Patient
For Carthage resident Robert Gordon, an unexpected bout with COVID-19 revealed something even more unexpected: atrial fibrillation, also called A-Fib.
Robert's Story
Brenda Robinette, MitraClip Patient
Brenda Robinette was part of history earlier this year at Reid Heart Center, but she hasn’t thought too much about it. She’s been too busy enjoying her new lease on life. Five months ago, the 73-year-old from Seven Lakes became the first patient in the Sandhills to undergo a transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) with MitraClip therapy.
Read More
Julia Brokmeyer, SCAD patient
Just a week shy of her 44th birthday, Julia Brokmeyer of Southern Pines was lying very seriously ill in a hospital bed. Days earlier, she had had a rare type of heart attack caused by a serious and unexpected condition.
Read more
Pat Spears, Aortic Valve Replacement Patient
Pat Spears, who had been relatively healthy his entire life, was told he had an aortic valve problem and that the valve would need to be replaced as quickly as possible. Because his valve had hardened and was 70 percent blocked, there was no time to waste.
Read more

Scott, Rockingham, NC, Heart Stent Patient
Reid Heart Center, providing area patients with one of the best heart programs in the world.

Don Deberry, TMR patient
Though only in his 50s, Don Deberry used to wake up with a racing, "quivering" heart, a symptom of his angina. A new procedure performed at Reid Heart Center changed his life. Deberry was the first Reid Heart Center patient to have a transmyocardial revascularization (TMR).
Read MoreInnovation and Treatment

MitraClip Procedure
If you're suffering from leaking heart valve disease, but don't want the pain and risk of open heart surgery, MitraClip® may be for you.
Learn More

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Procedure
The Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure offers hope for heart patients with inoperable aortic stenosis.
Learn More

Don't skip a beat. Trust FirstHealth's Heart Failure Clinic to support you through prevention or recovery.
Learn more
View Entire Team Meet Our Medical Professionals
Board Certified
Patrick J. Simpson, M.D.
Interventional Cardiologist
FirstHealth Cardiology-Pinehurst Medical Clinic

Specialties
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Heart
Hospital Affiliation
- Moore Regional Hospital
Training
- M.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Fellowship
- Interventional Cardiology, Vanderbilt University, Tenn.
Internship & Residency
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.
P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Board Certified
Peter Isaac Ellman, M.D., FACS
Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon
FirstHealth Cardiovascular & Thoracic Center

Philosophy of Care
Specialties
- Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery
- Heart
Hospital Affiliation
- Moore Regional Hospital
Training
- M.D., University of Pennsylvania
Fellowship
- Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, University of Florida
- General Surgery, University of Virginia
Internship & Residency
- University of Virginia
Available for Patients
Yes
Accepts Medicare Insurance
Yes
Accepts Tricare Insurance
Yes
Hours
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
Hobbies
Golf, guitars and music
Comments
FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.
P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Board Certified
Ajay Uprety, M.D.
Cardiologist
FirstHealth Cardiology

Specialties
- Cardiology
Hospital Affiliation
- FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital
Training
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University
Fellowship
Cardiovascular Disease, SUNY Upstate Medical University, New York
Internship & Residency
- Internal Medicine, St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri
Available for Patients
Yes
Accepts Medicare Insurance
Yes
Accepts Medicaid Insurance
Yes
Accepts Tricare Insurance
Yes
Hours
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday
FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.
P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Board Certified
Ker Boyce, M.D.
Electrophysiologist
FirstHealth Cardiology-Pinehurst Medical Clinic

Specialties
- Cardiology
- Heart
Hospital Affiliation
- Moore Regional Hospital
Training
- M.D., Emory University School of Medicine, Ga.
Fellowship
- Cardiology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Calif.
- Electrophysiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, Calif.
Internship & Residency
- Emory University Affiliated Hospitals, Ga.; Naval Medical Center, Calif.; University of California San Diego Medical Center
FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.
P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374