Providers
Our team of experienced Cardiologists and Advanced Practice Providers is committed to providing you with the highest quality care. We utilize the latest advancements in cardiovascular technology and minimally invasive techniques.
Cardiologists
Surrender Raina, MD
Stockton, San AndreasSummary: Dr. Raina joined Stockton Cardiology in 1977. Dr. Raina received his undergraduate degree from Government Medical College (M.B.B.S.) Kashmir, India. His postgraduate education and training included internship and residency in Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, Elmhurst Hospital. This was followed by his Fellowship in Cardiology at University of Pennsylvania for 2 years.
Dr. Raina has been in cardiology (invasive and non-invasive) practice for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in complex cardiovascular intervention (heart), complex peripheral (leg) interventions, and carotid (neck artery) stent procedures.
Dr. Raina was first to start the angioplasty program at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in 1984.
Locations: Stockton, San Andreas
Hospitals: Dameron Hospital – Stockton, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA,
Certifications: 1975 – Certification in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine Board Eligible in Cardiology
Specialization: Intervention (heart), Complex peripheral artery (leg) interventions, and carotid (neck artery) stent proceduresIntervention (heart), Complex peripheral artery (leg) interventions, and carotid (neck artery) stent procedures
Education: Government Medical College (M.B.B.S.) Kashmir, India.
Residency: Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, Elmhurst Hospital.
Fellowship: Fellowship in Cardiology at University of Pennsylvania
David Lim, MD
Stockton, San AndreasSummary: Dr. Lim joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 1993. He received his undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkley and his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. He completed his cardiology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Lim is a native Stocktonian and returned to Stockton to join us after completing his education.
Dr. Lim is currently a member of San Joaquin Community Board.
Locations: Stockton, San Andreas
Hospitals: Dameron Hospital – Stockton, CA, Mark Twain Medical Center – San Andreas, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA,
Certifications: 2007 – CVCTA Education – ACC level II Coronary CTA Certification
2003 – Recertification in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine
1993 – Certification in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine
1989 – Certification in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal MedicineSpecialization:
Education: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
Residency:
Fellowship: Cardiology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco
American College of Cardiology
Professional Society Affiliations
Fellow, American College of Cardiology
Rajiv Punjya, MD
Manteca, TracySummary: Dr. Punjya joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 1996. His office location is Tracy and Manteca. Dr. Punjya received his M.D. degree from Baroda Medical College, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India. He completed his internship and residency at Wayne State University of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. His Interventional and Cardiology Fellowship was completed at Harper Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, in Detroit, Michigan.
Locations: Manteca, Tracy
Hospitals: Doctors Hospital of Manteca – Manteca, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA, Sutter Tracy Community Hospital – Tracy, CA,
Certifications: 2007 – American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
2006 – Cardiovascular Diseases, American Board of Internal Medicine
2006 – Cardiovascular CT Mini – Fellowship: CT training and certification
2005 – Certification in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal medicine
1998 – Certification of Echocardiography
1992 – Certification in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine
1988 – Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
1988 – FLEX ExaminationSpecialization:
Education: Baroda Medical College, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India
Residency: Wayne State University of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
Fellowship: American College of Cardiology
Interventional and Cardiology Fellowship – Harper Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit MI
Sanjeev Vaishampayan, MD
Manteca, TracySummary: Dr. Vaishampayan joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 2010. He received his undergraduate degree and medical education, respectively, from Kalamazoo College and Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Vaishampayan has been practicing clinical cardiology for over 15 years. His practice involves echocardiography, trans-esophageal echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac catheterization, and pacemaker implantation. He relocated to California in July 2010 from his previous practice in Michigan, joining Stockton cardiology Medical Group.
Locations: Manteca, Tracy
Hospitals: Doctors Hospital of Manteca – Manteca, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA, Sutter Tracy Community Hospital – Tracy, CA,
Certifications: 2010 – Fluoroscopy – California Department of Public Health
2009 – Certified in Nuclear Cardiology
2006 – Recertified in Cardiology
2008 – Re-Certification Board of Echocardiography
2001 – Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology
1998 – Certified Board of Echocardiography
1997 – Certified – American Board of Cardiology
1992 – Certified – American Board of Internal MedicineSpecialization:
Education: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Residency:
Fellowship: American College of Cardiology
Ajay Toppur Ramanakumar, MD
Stockton, San AndreasSummary: Dr. Ramanakumar joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 2013. He is also chair of the cardiovascular division at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. He is committed to providing compassionate, evidence based cardiovascular care in a patient centered manner. He works closely with his patients and their family and actively involves them in the decision making process.
Locations: Stockton, San Andreas
Hospitals: Dameron Hospital – Stockton, CA, Mark Twain Medical Center – San Andreas, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA,
Certifications: Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease
Board Certified in Internal Medicine
Diplomate, Special Competence in Adult Echocardiography (ASCeXAM®)
Diplomate, Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology
Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation, ARDMSSpecialization: Preventive Cardiology, CAD, Heart FailurePreventive Cardiology, CAD, Heart Failure
Education: American College of Cardiology
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and InterventionsResidency: Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA
Chief Resident, Dept. of Internal Medicine
Categorical Resident, Dept. of Internal MedicineFellowship: Saint Vincent Hospital, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA
Interventional Cardiology Fellow
Cardiovascular Medicine Fellow
Ali Mirhosseini, MD
TracySummary: Dr. Mirhosseini joined Stockton Cardiology Medical group in 2019. He completed medical school at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran and then finished his residency and fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago. He worked as a general cardiologist in Chicago for one year prior to joining us. He is interested in preventive cardiology, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia and lipid management.
Locations: Tracy
Hospitals: Doctors Hospital of Manteca – Manteca, CA, Sutter Tracy Community Hospital – Tracy, CA,
Certifications: 2018: Cardiovascular Disease by American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine
2018: Echocardiography by American Society of Echocardiography
2018: Board of Nuclear Cardiology
2014: Internal Medicine by American Board of Internal MedicineSpecialization: Preventive cardiology, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, lipid managementPreventive cardiology, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, lipid management
Education: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Residency: Mount Sinai Hospital and Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago
Fellowship: American College of Cardiology
English, Farsi(Persian)
Glenmore Lasam, MD
MantecaSummary: Dr. Lasam joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 2022. His work experience includes roles as a Cardiology Registered Nurse, Hospitalist, and Medical Officer. He completed medical school at Cagayan State University. His fellowships included Cardiovascular Disease and Advanced Multimodality Cardiovascular Imaging at Mount Sinai Health System and Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Morningside, New York, NY.
Locations: Manteca
Hospitals: Doctors Hospital of Manteca – Manteca, CA, Sutter Tracy Community Hospital – Tracy, CA,
Certifications: ARDMS Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation
Certification Board of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
Diplomate, Adult Comprehensive Echocardiography (National Board of Echocardiography)
Certification Board of Nuclear CardiologySpecialization:
Education: Cagayan State University
Residency: Internal Medicine – Atlantic Health System Overlook Medical Center, an Affiliate of Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Summit, NJ
Internal Medicine – University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital and Medical Center, Manila, PhilippinesFellowship: Cardiovascular Disease – Mount Sinai Health System and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Morningside, New York, NY
Advanced Multimodality Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowship – Mount Sinai Health System and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai West, New York, NY
Cardiovascular Imaging Research – Atlantic Health System, Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Medical Center, an Affiliate of Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Morristown, NJEnglish, Ilocano, Tagalog
Venkata Emani, MD
Stockton, MantecaSummary: Dr. Venkata Emani joined Stockton Cardiology in 2022. He is a board-certified interventional cardiologist who has been practicing in the San Joaquin Valley for over 22 years. Dr. Emani . He completed his fellowship in Interventional Cardiology from the University of Alabama and his fellowship in Cardiology from the Medical College of Virginia.
Locations: Stockton, Manteca
Hospitals: Dameron Hospital – Stockton, CA, Doctors Hospital of Manteca – Manteca, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA, Sutter Tracy Community Hospital – Tracy, CA, Doctors Medical Center – Modesto, CA
Certifications: Interventional Cardiology, American Board of Internal Medicine
Cardiovascular Disease, American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine
Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal MedicineSpecialization:
Education:
Residency: University Of Illinois College Of Medicine
Fellowship: Interventional Cardiology, University of Alabama
Cardiology, Medical College of Virginia
Nadia Shaikh, MD
Stockton, San AndreasSummary: Dr. Shaikh joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 2023. She is a graduate of Stanford University, and completed medical school at the University of Massachusetts. She completed Cardiovascular and Interventional Cardiology fellowships at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington MA, and residency in Internal Medicine at Brown University.
Locations: Stockton, San Andreas
Hospitals: Mark Twain Medical Center – San Andreas, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA,
Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine: Cardiovascular Diseases
Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology
Certification Board of Cardiovascular CT
National Board of EchocardiographySpecialization:
Education: University of Massachusetts
Residency: Internal Medicine – Brown University
Fellowship: Cardiovascular Medicine – Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington MA,
Interventional Cardiology – Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington MA
Baljit Dhesi, MD
StocktonSummary: Dr. Dhesi will be joining Stockton Cardiology in the fall of 2025. A native of California’s San Joaquin Valley, he is proud to return to the region to serve the community where he was raised.
Dr. Dhesi earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of California, Davis, where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the UC Davis Medical Center. He went on to complete fellowships in General Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program, gaining comprehensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
His return to Stockton reflects his strong commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate cardiovascular care to the Central Valley.Locations: Stockton
Hospitals: Dameron Hospital – Stockton, CA, St. Joseph’s Medical Center – Stockton, CA,
Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine: Cardiovascular Diseases
Board Eligible for Interventional Cardiology
Certification Board for Adult Echocardiography
Certification Board for Nuclear Cardiology
Certification Board for FluoroscopySpecialization: General Cardiology, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Coronary Artery Intervention, Heart FailureGeneral Cardiology, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Coronary Artery Intervention, Heart Failure
Education: UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento CA
Residency: UC Davis Medical Center, Internal Medicine, Sacramento CA
Fellowship: General Cardiology: UCSF Fresno Medical Campus, Fresno CA
Interventional Cardiology: UCSF Fresno Medical Campus, Fresno CALanguages: Punjabi, Hindi
🌺 In Loving Memory 🌺 of Richard Waters, MD
Stockton, San AndreasSummary: 🌺 Dr. Richard Evereley Waters II 🌺
August 14, 1971 – September 24, 2024We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Rip Waters, a skilled cardiologist and compassionate physician who served our community with distinction for nearly two decades. His commitment to providing outstanding patient care leaves a lasting impact on our practice and the countless lives he touched. Read about it in the Stockton Record
Dr. Waters joined Stockton Cardiology Medical Group in 2005.
He was a native of Stockton.
Advanced Practice Providers
Caroline Andersen, PA-C
StocktonSummary: Caroline Andersen, PA-C joined Stockton Cardiology in 2011. She provides patient-centered care, conducting history and physical exams on adult cardiac patients, ordering and interpreting clinical laboratory tests and cardiac function studies. She obtained Physician Assistant certification education at the University of California, Davis, after completing undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences, and Psychology at the University of the Pacific, Stockton.
Locations: Stockton
Certifications: Certified Physician Assistant (2011-present) – NCCPA
Experience: Physician Assistant Student (2009-11), San Joaquin General Hospital, French Camp, CA
Medical Volunteer/Pharmacy Technician Volunteer (2007-11) Virgil Gianelli M.D. Free Medical Clinic, Stockton, CAEducation: Physician Assistant Certification (2011), FNPPA Program, University of California Davis, Sacramento
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Minor in Psychology (2009), University of the Pacific, Stockton
Thao Lai, FNP-C
StocktonSummary: Thao Lai is a certified Nurse Practitioner who joined Stockton Cardiology in 2022. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. She is committed to delivering culturally competent care and supporting patients from diverse backgrounds in achieving optimal heart health.
Locations: Stockton
Certifications: FNP-C – American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Experience: Registered Nurse, Sub-Acute Care, (2022) Roseville Care Center
Urgent Care (2022) VA Medical Center, Martinez CA
Primary Care (2021-22) Elica Health Center, Sacramento CA
Primary Care (2021) CommuniCare, Woodland CA
Cardiology (2021) Sutter North, Yuba CAEducation: MSN FNP (2019-22) at Samuel Merritt University, Sacramento, CA
BS-Biochem (2012-2014) at UC Davis, Davis, CAVietnamese
Samuela Fanua Jr., PA-C
Manteca, TracySummary: Samuela Fanua Jr. joined Stockton Cardiology in 2022, working in both the Manteca and Tracy offices. He is a compassionate Physician Assistant dedicated to managing cardiovascular conditions through evidence-based diagnostics and interventions. He believes in enhancing patient experiences through empathetic, culturally sensitive communication to build strong patient relationships with a focus on patient education.
Locations: Manteca, Tracy
Certifications: Certified Physician Assistant (2022 – present) – NCCPA
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (2023 – present)
Point of Care Ultrasound Fundamentals
(2021 – present)
Medication Assisted Treatment (2022 – present)Experience:
Education: MS, Physician Asssistant (MSPA) 2022
California State University, Monterey Bay
Applied Exercise Sciences (2017) Azusa Pacific University
Chantalle Zavala, FNP-C
StocktonSummary: Chantalle Zavala, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who joined us in 2024. She has over 15 years of experience in healthcare, including five years as a registered nurse and three years as a nurse practitioner. Chantalle brings a deep clinical foundation and a compassionate approach to patient care.
Chantalle is licensed in Family Medicine and has chosen Cardiology as her specialty, driven by a strong passion for cardiovascular health and disease prevention. She is board-certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and holds certifications in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). She is also a member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Originally from Upstate New York, Chantalle relocated to California two years ago. She is committed to improving heart health in her community and making a meaningful difference in her patients’ lives through evidence-based care, education, and lasting relationships.Locations: Stockton
Certifications: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Registered Nurse – NY, CA
Family Nurse Practitioner – NYExperience: Adult Nurse Practitioner (2022-24) at Gardner Health Services – San Jose, CA
Registered Nurse (2019-21) at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center – Syracuse, NY
Registered Nurse (2017-19) at St. Joseph’s Hospital Cardiac Vascular Unit – Syracuse, NY
Technician (2012-17) at Cayuga Medical Center – Ithaca, NYEducation: Master’s Degree, Family Nurse Practitioner (2021) at Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY
Bachelor’s Degree, Nursing (2017) at Elmira College, Elmira, NY
Armeghan Bagherpour, PA-C
StocktonSummary: Armeghan Bagherpour is a Certified Physician Assistant who joined us in 2024. She over five years of experience in cardiology. She graduated from the University of the Pacific in 2019 with a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Iran. Her background combines clinical expertise from both international and U.S. healthcare systems, allowing her to approach patient care with a well-rounded and culturally sensitive perspective.
I’m passionate about cardiology and committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care while building strong relationships with my patients and colleagues. – Sincerely, Armeghan
Locations: Stockton
Certifications: Physician Assistant Board of CA (PAB)
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA)Experience: PA-C (2021-24) at Elk Grove Cardiology / Methodist Hospital – Elk Grove, CA
Cardiology PA-C (2020 – 2021) at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital
Family practice PA-C (2019-20) at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial Hospital
Medical Doctor (2006-09) at Alian Iran Urgent Care,Education: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2017-19) at University of the Pacific, Sacramento, California
Doctor of Medicine (MD) (1998-2006) at Ardabil Medical University, Iran