Cardiologist J. Lauren Dowling, DO, is joining Oconee Heart and Vascular Center effective Sept. 1, and will be practicing full-time at the Monroe office, located at 868 Michael Etchison Road, Suite B.

Dr. Dowling becomes the 10^th member of OHVC, part of St. Mary's Medical Group. As a cardiologist, Dr. Dowling is dedicated to helping patients who need outpatient heart care, including wellness and prevention; patient and family education; monitoring, testing and treatment of cardiovascular conditions; device monitoring and follow-up, and management of chronic conditions such as heart failure. He has a special interest in non-invasive imaging such as nuclear medicine and echocardiography.

Dr. Dowling comes to OHVC from the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, where he recently completed his cardiology fellowship at Largo Medical Center, serving as co-chief of the general cardiology fellowship program for the 2017-2018 academic year. Since 2016, he has also practiced as a hospitalist at the Medical Center of Trinity, Fla., providing direct, hands-on care in an inpatient setting. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and board-eligible in cardiology.

He earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., his doctor's degree in osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee, Ga., and completed his internal medicine residency at Largo Medical Center. He is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine.