Justin Vandermolen, MD

My favorite bedtime story was about a young rabbit who fell in a hole and broke his leg. I was the hero who came along, mended his leg and safely dispatched him to his anxiously awaiting mother. This may have been one of the reasons I was destined at a young age to do medicine (although not veterinary strangely enough). I was even called Marcus Welby at times, for those of us old enough to remember that popular TV show. \n My favorite subject in school was science, and I was immediately captivated by the technology of cardiology when it came time to make my subspecialty choice. It was at that juncture that I moved from my country of birth, Ireland, to Cleveland to pursue higher training in cardiology at Cleveland Clinic. It helped that my wife, Laura, came with me on that adventure, and we are now 30 years married and three sons richer. \n I dabbled in research, but felt it was too abstract to sustain me professionally. We have the incredible privilege in medicine to meet new people every day and see what is going on in the world. We also have the incredible honor to help those same people. The path is not always easy, but visibly moving people toward improved health is immensely satisfying. \n Following a period in training, we moved to Wilmington in 2000 in search of better weather and a place to raise our family, and we have never looked back. We love the coast and enjoy being at the beach. \n My work in cardiology mainly centers around diagnostics. I believe, like in real estate where location is key, in medicine, diagnosis is key. All effective efforts at treatment stem from a firm diagnosis. I remain committed to maintaining and growing the seeds of medical knowledge that were planted in medical school and committed to having the courage to meet our patients where they need us.

The complexity of the human body, particularly the heart, has always fascinated me. As a cardiologist, I have the privilege of diagnosing and treating a wide range of heart conditions. This allows me to directly improve a patient's quality of life, or even save a patient's life at a critical moment. Cardiology is a rapidly evolving field that offers continuous opportunities for innovation. That combination of constantly learning and making such profound impacts on the lives of my patients makes cardiology the perfect field for me. \n Providing personalized, compassionate, evidenced-based care is at the center of everything I do. My patient-centered approach involves active listening and clear communication; I hear your concerns and questions, and then present your treatment options along with all the information you need to make decisions about your care. I believe that trust and open dialogue are keys to any doctor-patient relationship, and I believe that when we work together the result is superior care for you. \n One of my passions within the field of cardiology is cardiac imaging. Technologies such as cardiac computer tomography (CT), echocardiography and nuclear cardiology allow me to provide comprehensive and precise diagnoses for patients with heart conditions. I have earned special board certifications in these specific imaging areas, allowing me to provide my patients a higher level of expertise, and ensuring patients receive the most accurate and tailored care possible. \n I was born in Greenville, North Carolina, and knew I wanted to return to the coast of North Carolina after finishing my education. I am so happy to have made the Wilmington area home. I spend most of my free time with my wife or outdoors, exploring nature through hiking, skiing, running and cycling. Sometimes my exploration takes me to the sky; I am passionate about aviation and proud to have a pilot's license, allowing me to appreciate the world from a unique perspective.

Both my maternal grandparents died in their 50s of heart disease. I remember, from a young age, reflecting on how unfair that was and wanting to do something to change it. In college, I discovered an interest in epidemiology and hemodynamics. Cardiology is the field that best marries these two interests. \n As a researcher, my areas of focus are disease prevention, cardiac imaging and cardio-oncology, a relatively new field in which cardiologists help cancer patients and providers navigate cardiac issues that can arise during treatment. My goal is to get the patient to the finish line, either curing their cancer or turning it into a stable, chronic disease. \n Cancer patients are truly warriors; they're some of the most motivated and inspiring people I've ever met. I also enjoy partnering with oncologists and offering patients the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach to their treatment. \n When I first meet with patients, my goal is to educate and empower them with the tools and knowledge to improve their health. I am not a physician who makes decisions on behalf of patients but rather someone who can find common ground between what science can offer and what the patient's preferences may be. \n I am a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and was honored to be a Novant Health Healthcare Heroes finalist in 2022. \n My wife, who works in Novant Health's corporate communications department, and I have two young children - a son and a daughter. I'm passionate about all water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and boating. I am also a fan of UNC Tarheel sports.