The American Health Council recognizes Mark R. Milunski, MD, FACC, FACP,  as “Best in Medicine” for his outstanding contributions to the medical field.

Dr. Mark R. Milunski has spent more than three decades shaping the field of cardiology. From pioneering research to building award-winning clinical teams, his work has touched countless patients and trained the next wave of medical professionals. In January 2025, he joined the Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine, serving as a Professor in the Cardiovascular Division.

Dr. Milunski’s passion for cardiology began early, sparked by a cardiologist neighbor who set him on a lifelong path. He earned his MD from Albany Medical College of Union University in 1984, where his academic excellence brought numerous honors, including election to Alpha Omega Alpha as a third-year medical student.

He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Duke University Medical Center, then pursued a fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases at WashU Medicine/Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. During his fellowship, he conducted basic research in cardiac ultrasound and co-authored several manuscripts on ultrasonic tissue characterization of myocardium. This period also fueled his lasting interest and expertise in heart failure and cardiac transplantation.

After completing his fellowship, Dr. Milunski joined the Florida Heart Group in Orlando, where he worked as a partner for more than 20 years. There, he became a respected figure in the local cardiovascular community and sharpened his skills across general cardiology, heart failure, transplantation, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.

In 2014, Dr. Milunski was named Chief of Cardiology for the Orlando Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, bringing decades of experience and a clear vision for better care. He helped activate a brand-new VA hospital — the first in more than 30 years within the VA system.

His impact quickly became evident:

• Heart Failure Team: He assembled a multidisciplinary team that delivered superior outcomes and now serves as a model for other teams system-wide.
• A busy Cardiology Section: Under his leadership, the section grew into one of the top five busiest in the entire VA system.

Dr. Milunski’s influence reaches well beyond Orlando. He serves on committees at both the local facility and VISN levels, and he holds several national positions:

• Member of the National CART MAE committee, which investigates cardiac catheterization laboratory adverse events across the country
• Member of the Field Advisory Board of the National Cardiology Program Office
• National Cardiology Chiefs Lead

Dr. Milunski is also a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. As a Founding Member of the college’s Curriculum Planning Committee, he helped the school secure its initial accreditation. He remains active in graduate medical education at both the resident and fellow levels, and he helped develop and teach sections of the second-year course in cardiopulmonary pathophysiology.

A widely respected authority in his field, Dr. Milunski is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, and the American Heart Association, and a member of the Heart Failure Society of America.

His clinical work focuses on:  Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure, Echocardiography and General and consultative cardiology.

His research centers on developing new therapies for acute and chronic heart failure.

When he steps away from patient care and teaching, Dr. Milunski spends time with his family and pursues a love of travel, camping, hiking, and high-altitude trekking. A devoted reader of history books, he brings the same curiosity to his personal life that has defined his career.

With a steady focus on better patient care and stronger cardiology practice, Dr. Milunski continues to leave a lasting mark on both the clinic and the classroom — one that will shape the field for years to come.