Wealth of education, experience help Smithfield cardiologist serve his patients

Back row: Laurie Atwood (and daughter Emmber), Lauren Forsythe, Dallas Webster, Dr. Franklin Wefald, and Kevin Bledsoe. Front row: Melissa Chambers and Natasha Frazier. Not Pictured: Jenny Parrish, Amber Lamberton, Linda Schulz, Arlene Smith, Pam Vanhoecke, and Yolanda Barrera.

Dr. Franklin Wefald took a winding road to Millennia Cardiovascular in Smithfield, but it’s a journey that made him the doctor he is today.

He grew up in Washington D.C., attending public school, then went on to Princeton University in New Jersey, followed by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

“My educational background certainly made me the doctor that I am today,” he said. “At Princeton, I had the chance to work closely with Nobel prize winners and other excellent teachers and did research in biochemistry that was published in well-respected journals.

“I really learned how to be the complete physician I am at Johns Hopkins and carried those lessons with me at all times.”

He then did his cardiology training at Duke University Medical Center. During that time, he moonlighted in the emergency room at Johnston Memorial Hospital.

“At Duke, I learned how to do cardiovascular procedures from some of the best in their fields,” Dr. Wefald said. “I really think my education made me who I am today along with the experience of practicing for about the last 28 years, utilizing my skills and cutting edge technology.”

He also got his first taste of practicing medicine in Johnston County during that time.

“I came to know the community in 1987 and felt very welcome here,” he said. “I knew that there were lots of patients who needed cardiology care.”

Dr. Wefald then went to Indiana where he practiced for 10 years before having the opportunity to come back and be a fulltime cardiologist in Johnston County. He jumped at the chance.

His practice, Millennia Cardiovascular, prides itself on the personal touch it offers its patients.

“I think the most important thing in looking at a cardiologist is whether that person has the time for you to look you in the eye and listen and not rely too much on technology,” Dr. Wefald said. “Putting together your diagnosis also depends on how well that physician can communicate and express in plain language exactly what is going on with you and your health.

“I think my practice focuses on face-toface communication, examination and careful explanations of the results of tests that were found to be necessary and in helping the patient formulate a plan to maintain their best health.”

His staff is also a big part of the patient experience.

“I have the privilege of working with an excellent staff who over the years has developed an understanding of how I like my patients to be treated,” Dr. Wefald said. “When you call the office, you will always get a human being to answer the phone — you will never have to leave a recording and wait for a call back.

“While we are not perfect, we listen and we attempt to treat the patient from the moment they walk in to the moment they walk out with the utmost respect, kindness and personal attention.”

Educating his patients is also a key component in Dr. Wefald’s practice.

“One of the things that I do in my practice is educate people on the things that they can do to take care of themselves,” he said. “Particularly diet and exercise are important, but also making sure that their medications are taken correctly, on time and that they understand the reasons why these medications are necessary.

“Education is so important for patients from physicians because it helps the patient to understand exactly what each medication does and why it is so important.”

He carries that mission on through a weekly one-hour radio show on WPTF680 AM. These shows are also available in podcast form through Apple. Search “Heart Health” to find recordings of all of his past shows.

“Doing the show is not promotional for my practice, but a service to the community in answering questions that are called in and also discussing important health topics of the day,” Dr. Wefald said.