Azmi Atiya, M.D.
Director of cardiac surgery and thoracic oncology, Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center

For over 20 years, Dr. Atiya has been a leading force in providing exceptional cardiovascular treatment and cardiothoracic surgical care. A UCLA Medical Center alumnus, Dr. Atiya completed his general surgery residency in 1999 before undertaking a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center. His dedication to excellence earned him the position of administrative chief resident in cardiothoracic surgery in 2001. His commitment to providing the highest possible standards of care has led to his certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and acquiring a California State medical license.

As a longtime clinical leader at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, Dr. Atiya is enthusiastic about the innovations he has seen in cardiovascular surgical procedures and technologies over his two decades in practice. “Cardiac care has advanced exponentially, especially in the past decade,” Dr. Atiya shares. “We’re working to bring new approaches and technologies to our community and establish Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center as the premier cardiac center in the Valley.”

Dr. Atiya believes that the medical center’s current level of outstanding care serves as the perfect foundation to build upon. “Right now, we offer a full spectrum of cardiothoracic care, from open-heart surgery to noninvasive approaches. With donor support, we’re building advanced facilities and adding the latest technologies to provide worldclass cardiovascular care right here in the Valley.”

Dr. Atiya’s expertise in treating chest and heart diseases has not gone unnoticed. His accolades include the 11th Annual SSAT/Ross Residents and Fellows Research Award (1996) and the Outstanding Resident of the Year Award for the Department of Surgery by the UCLA Medical Center (1993-1994).

Among his many significant honors, Dr. Atiya has also received the Daggett Prizes in the Anatomies from Albany Medical College. A devoted supporter of research and education, Dr. Atiya has contributed to advances in minimally invasive mitral and aortic valve surgery, robotic thoracic surgery, and endovascular aneurysm repairs.

Benjamin S. Simon, M.D.
Interventional cardiology and cardiovascular diseases; Cardiology Consultants Medical Group of the Valley; Director of cardiovascular services, Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center

Hailing from Ohio, Dr. Simon has dedicated his life to providing outstanding cardiovascular care. Board certified in cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine, Dr. Simon is also a respected member of the American College of Cardiology. He completed his medical education at the Ohio State University College of Medicine before pursuing a residency and fellowship at UCLA-San Fernando Valley Program in Sylmar, California.

Since beginning his practice in 1987, Dr. Simon has held numerous leadership positions at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. His distinguished career includes service on the hospital’s board and the medical executive committee, directing the cardiovascular intensive care unit, chairing the critical care committee, and leading the division of cardiology. Today, he serves as the director of cardiovascular services at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.

Dr. Simon has long been a driving force in bringing the latest cardiovascular care to the San Fernando Valley. Over his more than three decades at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, he has witnessed the transformative advancements in treatment — from open-heart surgery to today’s cutting-edge, less invasive care that promises improved patient outcomes.

“Care has leapfrogged and continues to do so,” Dr. Simon explains. “We can now do things that may have seemed like science fiction in the distant past. Catheter-based procedures on a microscopic scale have created a paradigm shift. Patients we lost in years past would have had more than a fighting chance with what we can offer today.”

Dr. Simon is eager to see the continued growth of advanced cardiovascular care in the region. “Advances in cardiovascular interventions and treatments have completely changed the landscape of care. We have the talent, and soon we’ll have the infrastructure in place, so our patients will no longer need to travel out of the area to get the most advanced levels of care available.”

When he’s not working, Dr. Simon enjoys spending time with his wife, three adult children and their dog. A lover of the outdoors, he takes pleasure in skiing, cycling and hiking, as well as traveling with his family.

Jeffrey W. Work
Interventional cardiology and cardiovascular diseases; Cardiology Consultants Medical Group of the Valley

Dr. Work, a Salt Lake City native, boasts an impressive educational and professional background. He completed his undergraduate education at Stanford University before attending Yale School of Medicine for his Doctor of Medicine degree and completing his internship and residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Dr. Work then pursued specialized cardiology training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

After a year as director of the catheterization laboratory of the UCLA-Sepulveda VA Cardiology Division, Dr. Work joined his fellowship colleague, Dr. Marc Ehrich, at Cardiology Consultants Medical Group in Tarzana. Board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease, Dr. Work specializes in office and hospital-based cardiology with a focus on cardiac imaging (echocardiography, TEE, SPECT and PET stress testing).

Dr. Work believes Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center is perfectly poised to establish a center of excellence for cardiovascular care in the San Fernando Valley. “We have outstanding physicians trained in the full spectrum of interventions and treatments, and soon we’ll have the facilities to offer the latest advances,” he says. “Once our new facilities are up and running, only the rarest cases, such as heart transplants, will be referred out of the area.”

Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center combines the compassion of a local community hospital with the advantages of a larger organization. “As we focus on the needs of this community, we’re able to bring best practices from across the enterprise. We are well-positioned to begin offering the gold standard in cardiovascular care,” Dr. Work emphasizes.

In addition to his exceptional patient care in Tarzana, Dr. Work also serves as a member of the joint venture board with Cedars-Sinai. He believes community partnership is paramount in fulfilling the vision for top-tier cardiovascular care. “We’re all in this together. Many patients feel grateful and want to give back and we, as caregivers, appreciate community members who support our work by donating to enhance facilities and technology. Their generosity will impact patients for generations to come.”

In his free time, Dr. Work enjoys a variety of activities, including fly fishing, cycling, mountain biking and keeping track of his three adult children.