Dr. Katherine Ludington, MD, FACC

Dr. Ludington graduated from Stanford University with honors in both Biology and Psychology. She completed her medical school training at the world renowned University of California, San Francisco campus (associated with UC Berkeley). She then returned to Stanford University for her residency in Internal Medicine.

After board certification in internal medicine, Dr. Ludington successfully finished her fellowship specialty training at the University of California, San Diego. She joined the staff of the prestigious Scripps Clinic Medical Group in 2002. She is board certified in Cardiovascular Diseases and was awarded the exceptional honor of fellowship in the American College of Cardiology for her contributions and dedication to the field of cardiology.

Over the next 5 years, Dr. Ludington’s interest in advanced cardiac imaging allowed her to be the co-founder and co-director of both the Cardiac MRI and Cardiac CT programs at Scripps Clinic. She has given numerous lectures about cardiac imaging across the country and has participated in research projects related to non-invasive imaging of the coronary arteries. She serves as member of an exclusive national committee which sets policy on the use of these imaging modalities in medical practice by cardiologists across the country. An article featuring Dr. Ludington appeared on the front page of the Sunday Union Tribune on October 1st, 2006. Click on picture to the right to read the full story..

Dr. Ludington’s desire to provide state of the art medical care in a more personal setting has lead to the creation of a new private practice office in Encinitas: North Coast Cardiology.

She is one of only a handful of female cardiologists in San Diego County and has a special interest in women’s heart disease prevention and treatment. She is founder of a brand new program called “Woman At Heart” at North Coast Cardiology.

With her excellent training and leadership role throughout her career, Dr. Ludington is committed to providing the best possible heart care without losing sight of the individual. She has assembled a caring and knowledgeable staff to help meet your needs for superb cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment.

At North Coast Cardiology, we take pride in our commitment to your heart care. Please use the “Comprehensive services” link on the left to learn more about our office and available services to you. We will work with you and your primary care doctor or surgeon as a team to devise the best possible care for your needs.

Photograph courtesy and copyright Union Tribune.

Privileges:

  • Scripps Green Hospital
  • Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
  • Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas

Certifications :

  • Board Certification in Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Board Certification in Nuclear Cardiology
  • Level III Certification in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Level II Certification in Cardiac CT angiography

Membership in professional organizations include :

  • American Medical Association (AMA)
  • California Medical Association (CMA)
  • American College of Cardiology (ACC)
  • San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS)
  • Society of Cardiovascular MRI (SCMR) founding member
  • Society of Cardiac CT (SCCT) founding member
  • National Board of Physicians and Surgeons

Dr. Afnan Tariq, MD, FACC

Dr Afnan Tariq believes in a compassionate, team approach to help patients optimize their health and well being.  He has a passion for comprehensive, evidence based, guideline-directed heart health care. Originally from Pakistan, Dr Tariq completed his Internal Medicine Residency at New York Presbytarian Hospital.  After completing his general cardiology fellowship at UC Irvine, he pursued additional training in interventional cardiology (stents of the heart) followed by a groundbreaking structural heart fellowship at the world famous Lenox Hill Hospital that allows him to replace heart valves without bypass or open heart surgery (TAVR procedure).  He has given numerous presentations and published over 20 journal articles on research related to heart disease prevention and treatment using the latest techniques.
 
Dr Tariq is Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine/Cardiology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).  He enjoys teaching residents and fellows the intricacies of cardiovascular disease and procedures as well as compassionate patient care.  He has a lifelong interest in underprivileged children and he raises money to support education, reading and literacy in Pakistan, his home country.  
 
Outside of work, Dr Tariq enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, swimming, hiking and taking sunset walks on the beach.

Joan Feliz, NP

Joan brings North Coast Cardiology extensive cardiology experience with a holistic, respectful and thorough approach to your wellness.

Joan (pronounced Joe-On) has worked in the cardiac catheterization laboratory in the US Navy for 7 years prior to obtaining his nurse practitioner license. He has also worked as an inpatient RN at the Naval Medical Center for many years, helping train others in how to assess patients’ heart rhythm and well being while hospitalized. Finally, he has extensive echocardiogram training as a sonographer. His interests include health prevention such as cardiac rehabilitation guidance, weight management and stress management techniques.

Joan is an integral member of the medical team at North Coast Cardiology, and we are thrilled to have him at our practice. He runs our highly successful weight management program including helping teach heart healthy eating and if recommended, using medications such as Contrave or Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wygovy and Zepbound.  A subset of patients will qualify to participate in a 10,000 patient clinical trial we are a clinical site for with Eli Lilly for the use of the newest GLP1 medication. Please ask us if you qualify at your next appointment. 

If you join our practice, you will have a chance to meet all of our providers.  In addition, if you are participating in our Weight Management Program, you will be working directly with Joan on a regular basis to help you accomplish your weight loss goals.  We have over 500 patients in our program and we are thrilled to see the results (and to have the chance to take people off of their medications)!

Our Staff