Dr. Aliya Browne says that from a young age, she knew she would become a doctor.
However, Browne, the owner and cardiology physician at Central Jersey Heart Group, originally thought her medical career would be in pediatrics.
In junior high school, she participated in medical programs to help her build a strong base in the sciences, and gain exposure to medicine. It was further along in her educational career that she decided to pursue cardiology.
“I was always drawn to cardiology,” Browne said. “My grandmother died of a massive heart attack when I was 13 years old, and that was always something that was on my mind. So, when I did my rotations, and I was drawn to cardiology and loved it, one of my mentors really encouraged me to pursue it.”
Prior to starting practice at Central Jersey Heart Group in September 2009, Browne worked in a private practice in Flemington for almost five years. She then returned to Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, where she had previously completed a cardiac fellowship.
During her second stint at Deborah, which lasted about two years, Browne was part of an initiative that carries over to her mission at Central Jersey Heart Group.
“I helped them open up and set up a couple of outreach centers, a woman’s center in particular,” Browne said.
Browne left Deborah to start Central Jersey Heart Group, which focuses on women’s cardiac care.
“I treat both men and women, but my predominant focus is on women and heart disease and attempting to let women know that it’s the number one killer,” Browne said.
Browne said that women may experience different cardiac symptoms than men, and might require different treatment.
While Browne estimates that a majority of her patients are referred by their general physicians, she says about 20-30 percent come for a screening after seeing an advertisement, or seeing Browne speak in a lecture series, or simply because of a friend’s recommendation.
“If we can prevent disease from occurring, then we can definitely help you live longer and live better, healthier, stronger lives. So, the initial step is as much prevention as possible,” Browne said.
Browne completed her undergraduate work at Temple University, before attending the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology. She trained at Saint Barnabas Health Care System at Union Hospital for three years, before completing her fellowship at Deborah Heart and Lung Center. She still works at Deborah one day each week, training fellows.
Most of her time, however, is spent at Central Jersey Heart Group, where Browne said she aims to have a calming influence on her patients.
Appointments for first–time patients take 45 to 60 minutes, and regular appointments generally run 30 minutes. Browne said that allows each patient time to ask questions and to feel like they are the top priority during their visit.
Central Jersey Heart Group is a full–service cardiology group, offering traditional services such as consultations, cardiac care, stress testing, ultra sound and Holter monitoring, Browne said.
However, the practice also offers other services that are connected to cardiac wellness, such as smoking cessation and weight and stress management.
Browne said she plans to expand on those types of services in the future. The first step, she said, was adding Patricia Metoyer, a nurse practitioner, to the team.
“We have plenty of patients now who have heart disease who are smoking, so we need someone to help them stop smoking,” Browne said. “They come here for their heart condition, and they’d be seen by someone like Patricia to counsel them on smoking cessation, give them the right medications, and the help that they need.”
Browne has a vision where the practice will also offer services such as acupuncture and massage therapy in the future.
That could mean collaborating with another group, where Browne can refer patients to receive those additional services. However, Browne said she is also considering expanding the practice’s space, or moving it to its own building.
“We want to be able to branch out where you can come to a facility where you get not only cardiac care, but you also get other care that you may need; stress management, other things such as massage and acupuncture. So, if we can have that all in one facility, that’s going to be great,” Browne said.
Central Jersey Heart Group is located at 1230 Parkway Avenue, Suite 303 in Ewing. For more information, go online to cjheart.com, or call (609) 883-9100.
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