Vincent Shu, M.D., said he moved here for the weather.
As director of Inspire Heart Valve & Heart Failure Clinic and Inspire Medical Clinic, it seems he’s not quite ready to kick back in the sun.
He is hosting three open houses for potential patients at his new clinics at 675 N. Fifth Ave., Sequim.
"A heart failure clinic is important. Look at any disease and the result is heart failure," Shu said.
Using equipment such as a Doppler ultrasound, Holter monitor, electrocardiogram and an electronic medical Richter, Shu said he’s dedicated the clinic to providing quality, state-of-the-art health care for all.
"It is a commitment to changing the lives for everyone," Shu said.
He plans to develop collaborative efforts with his colleagues to identify, prevent and treat underlying causes of:
_ Cardiovascular disease
_ Diabetes
_ Strokes
_ Cancers
Faith-based clinic
Shu describes the heart clinic as a faith-based one.
He says this means he does what is in the patient’s best interest.
"As a faith-based health care center, we dedicate ourselves to help our patients stay healthy not just physically but also spiritually," Shu said.
"This approach to care takes into consideration the whole person, his/her mind, body and spirit, which provides a basis of natural wellness and healthy aging."
Natural wellness
"I think most important is preventive methods," Shu said.
Along with Western medicine, Shu offers natural science medicines, naturopathic, for those who experience adverse side effects from American medicines.
"The problem is a lot of people have side effects using both," Shu said.
The clinic meticulously monitors potential interactions between the two types of medicines to not create further issues, he said.
Researching a better heart
Shu’s major interests of the heart are in:
_ Valvular heart diseases
_ Congestive heart failure
"How to intervene early to prevent heart muscle damage is truly a combination of science and art," Shu said.
"As people age, the valve becomes degenerative and it can go undetected. It’s a big surgery and we want to find
appropriate timing to operate."
Appointments
Since Inspire is just opening, Shu said people must understand current policy.
He is working on paperwork with Medicare and third-party insurance agencies that could take a few months.
Until approval, patients must pay up front for appointments and be reimbursed later once insurance rates are approved through the clinic.
He is offering discounted rates to help patients.
Follow-up
Shu received his medical degree in Taiwan but has practiced predominately in California colleges and hospitals.
His first fellowship was in clinical hypertension at the University of Southern California Medical Center and his second was at the University of California Davis, in cardiology.
He is a faculty member at the University of California Irvine, College of Medicine.
Inspire Heart Valve & Heart Failure Clinic and Inspire Medical Clinic are at 675 N. Fifth Ave. 3B, Sequim, and are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Call 683-8783 or visit www.inspiremedicalclinic.com for more information.
At a glance
Who: Vincent Shu, M.D.
What: Open houses at Inspire Heart Valve & Heart Failure Clinic and Inspire Medical Clinic
Where: 675 N. Fifth Ave., 3B, Sequim
When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 15, April 29, May 20
Details: Free carotid ultrasound screening for strokes on May 20
More information: Visit www.inspiremedicalclinic.com or call 683-8763
