Staff

Thomas L. Pester, M.D. - CVD Co-Founder

Dr. Pester is a General Surgeon who has been involved in treating varicose veins for over 30 years. After attending Grinnell College in Iowa and the University of Nebraska Medical School, he completed a Residency in General Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Pester is an Active Member of the American College of Phlebology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery (General Surgery) and of the American Board of Phlebology (Vein Disease). Dr. Pester was the former Chief of Surgery at Luke Air Force Base, and has ties to the Arizona community since 1974. Dr. Pester is a Co-Founder of the Center for Venous Disease and treats patients in El Paso, Texas. He has treated venous disease with minimally invasive techniques for over six years. Dr. Pester has served in various medical staff positions including Chief of Staff and numerous Department Chairmanships. He is also Board Certified by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, and previously served as Medical Director of the Texas Medical Foundation. He has extensive experience in continuing medical education and has served in both State and National Chairmanship positions. He is a Certified Physician Training Site for VNUS^TM Medical Technologies and is a Faculty Member for VNUS^TM Medical Education Courses in the U.S. Dr. Pester's wife, Dr. Judith Pester, is a physician in the specialty of Pathology. They maintain a residence in Scottsdale, Arizona, in addition to a home in El Paso, Texas. The Drs. Pester enjoy their standard poodles and vintage auto racing.

Joseph M. Smith, M.D., R.V.T. - CVD Co-Founder

Dr. Smith is a fourth generation New Mexican. He graduated high school from the New Mexico Military Institute. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of New Mexico. He attended Medical School at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Dr. Smith completed his Internship and Residency from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is Board Certified in Phlebology, a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a Registered Vascular Technician Sonographer (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers). Dr. Smith continues his affiliation with: The American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Critical Care Society of Medicine, Society of Minimally Invasive Therapy, New Mexico Medical Association, a Member of the New Mexico Trauma Foundation, and a Member of the Southwestern Surgical Congress. Dr. Smith has been treating vein issues his entire medical career. Dr. Smith operates centers in Santa Fe, NM and Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Smith is also a Certified Trainer for the VNUS Closure^TM Procedure. He has also been an Instructor at the VNUS^TM Total Vein Care Courses. Dr. Smith and his family live in the Santa Fe area. He enjoys golfing, cooking, and fine dining.

David M. Smith, D.O.

Dr. Smith is a well known Vascular Surgeon in Arizona and has been honored as a “Top Doc” by Phoenix Magazine for more than five years running. Dr. David Smith attended the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Smith received his Internship and Residency training at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He continued his Vascular and Endovascular training at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Smith was the Chief Surgical Resident and received the Outstanding Intern Award. Dr. Smith is a member of the American College of Phlebology, American Medical Association, and American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association, Arizona Osteopathic Association, and International Society for Endovascular Surgery. Dr. Smith is the Chairman of Endovascular Department at one of Banner Health’s Hospitals. He also served as Vice Chief of Staff from 2004-2007. Dr. Smith has extensive training in Vascular Surgery and was one of the first doctors to perform minimally invasive procedures for venous disease in the State of Arizona. Dr. Smith and his family reside in the Phoenix area. He is dedicated to his children’s development and activities, and his involvement in his church.

Michael A. Herion, M.D.

Dr. Herion graduated from Arizona State University in 1992 and completed his medical school training in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. He went on to complete his residency and fellowship training in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Herion is Board Certified in Phlebology (vein specialty) as well as Ophthalmology, with emphasis on Oculoplastics and Aesthetic Medicine. He has been a member of the prestigious National Education Faculty (NEF) for Allergan® Cosmetic since 2004 and serves as an educational faculty member for Thermage®. This distinction identifies Dr. Herion as one of the top educators and aesthetic providers in the country. He has trained medical professionals from all over the world in the art of Botox®, dermal fillers, cosmetic laser applications and sclerotherapy. Dr. Herion has been named as “One of America’s Top Surgeons” by the Consumer Research Council of America since 2007. He is the newest physician to join the Center for Venous Disease family and looks forward to expanding his vein care practice. Dr. Herion is a Major in the United States Air Force and has been providing care to our country’s soldiers since 1998. In addition, Dr. Herion has been a sought after speaker at numerous national meetings and medical society conferences. He enjoys hiking, mountain biking and competing in adventure races throughout the Southwest during his leisure time. He can be found at every A.S.U. football game in support of his alma mater.

Felice L. Bruno, M.D.

Dr. Bruno is a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon who has been in practice in El Paso since 1978. He has been actively involved in treating heart and lung disease, as well as arterial and venous vascular problems. He graduated cum laude from the Medical School of the University of Torino, Italy, and holds Diplomas of Specialist in both General Surgery and Cardiovascular Surgery from the Surgical Clinic of the University of Torino. After completing a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery at the Texas Heart Institute, in Houston, Texas, Dr. Bruno was invited by Dr. Denton A. Cooley to join The Texas Heart Institute staff, where, along with clinical surgery, he participated in artificial heart research and cardiac transplantation. He later moved to El Paso as co-director of the El Paso Southwestern Cardiovascular Associates practice. Dr. Bruno is a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons and is a Member of the American College of Phlebology. He is also a Member of the American Medical Association and of the D.A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. During his years of practice in El Paso, Dr. Bruno has been actively involved with Medical Staff affairs, holding many positions, from Chief of Staff to Cardiovascular Department Chairman. He has been a Member of the Board of Directors with Sierra Medical Center and Sierra Providence Health Network for many years and is a Past President of the El Paso American Heart Association. Dr. Bruno enjoys race car driving, horse jumping and skiing. He has been a physician for the United States Ski Team and has traveled extensively with the World Cup Downhill team. He has been married since 1977 to Deborah, Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist, Psychologist and artist. They have one daughter, Natalie, a Medical Doctor in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruno's have resided in El Paso, Texas since 1978 and spend vacation time with family in Maine and Italy. They love English Bulldogs, cats, art and literature and historical cinema.

William F. Fulton Jr., M.D.

Dr. Fulton is an Arizona native, who grew up in Apache Junction, Arizona.  Dr. Fulton is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, and Board Eligible in Phlebology (Venous Disease).  He earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona, College of Medicine.  During medical school he earned honors in Biochemistry, Family Practice, and Emergency Medicine.  He also researched End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.  Dr. Fulton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, from the Arizona State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  He completed his residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center's Department of Emergency Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.  During his final year in residency, he was a Chief Resident.  Dr. Fulton has appeared on national and local television and radio programs, including CNBC's Today's Health, KNXV TV 15 (ABC) Sonoran Living, KTVK TV 3 (Indep.) Good Day Arizona, KNIX FM, and KCTK AM Your Second 50 years.  Dr. Fulton enjoys being with his family and coaching youth football.

Thomas B. Strawn, M.D.

A native of Shelbyville, Indiana, Dr. Strawn graduated from Butler University and Indiana University School of Medicine, both in Indianapolis.  Following a surgical internship at Indiana University Hospitals, he served three years in the U.S. Navy.  Dr. Strawn completed a general surgery residency in Louisville, Kentucky and then practiced surgery nineteen years in Indiana, one year at the Navajo Indian Hospital in Shiprock, New Mexico, and five years in the NW Valley of Arizona.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery, and Board Eligible with the American College of Phlebology.  Dr. Strawn has four adult children and he and his wife, Lisa, have two eight-year old children.  Dr. Strawn and his wife are active in their church, volunteering in the children's ministry, in pastoral counseling, and in neighborhood ministry.  The entire family has helped build three houses in Puerto Penasco through their church in the past year and Dr. Strawn has traveled to Palenque, Mexico twice in the last two years to perform surgery on the indigenous natives of the Chol Tribe.  Dr. Strawn's proudest educational accomplishment occurred this year when he finished his Master's degree in Religion/Pastoral Counseling.  He considers his practice of medicine a platform from which to advance God's Kingdom.

James A. Heinz - CVD Founder and Managing Partner

James has worked in the healthcare arena for over 25 years having a background in sales, consulting, marketing, product management, sales management, clinical management, corporate account management, and health care administration. James’ former employers/ associations include; Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Synthes USA, Smith+Nephew, and VNUS^TM Medical Technologies (VNUS Closure Procedure-Varicose Vein treatment).

While at VNUS, James was a Certified Clinical Trainer and Sr. Territory Manager for the Southwest.  In this role, James introduced catheter technology to doctors, was a workshop instructor at the Total Vein Care meetings sponsored by VNUS, and trained other VNUS corporate personnel that were new to the company.  James' responsibilities were tied to the Southwest and to date has been involved in over 5000 procedures between his work at VNUS and CVD centers.  VNUS revolutionized vein care treatment in the U.S.  VNUS Medical Technologies developed the VNUS Closure, ClosurePlus, and ClosureFast Radio Frequency ablative catheters for the treatment of Venous Disease and is commonly referred to as the VNUS Closure Procedure for varicose veins.  VNUS also developed the only FDA cleared technology for the treatment of refluxing (diseased) Perforator/Communicating Veins.  With his experience and training related to vein treatment technologies, procedures, protocals, and clinical outcomes, James developed the plan and implemented the opening of CVD centers in multiple states, driving the CVD brand to the #1 treatment centers in the Southwest. 

James is the founder and managing partner of The Center for Venous Disease, JoshuaBay™ Aesthetics, and A²CE™ aesthetic training center. His formal education is related to marketing, sales, and healthcare management.

Mr. Heinz currently sits on the Board of the American College of Phlebology Foundation and serves on the Reimbursement Committee of The American College of Phlebology(www.acp.org/ www.acpf.org).  CVD is committed to the ACP and ACPF and is a Founder's Level donor committing $250,000.00 in support of patient education and technology advances as it relates to Total Vein Care and the Phlebology Specialty.   

The core value of this company is to "Treat your symptoms and touch your Heart."