Cardiologist earns designation as Longmont United Hospital's Physician of the Year

A doctor’s leading-edge work in cardiology earned him designation this month as Longmont United Hospital’s 2021’s Physician of the Year, an honor voted on by the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee.

Dr. Ahmad Alqaqaa — also known as “Dr. Q” — earned the recognition for being exemplary in the Centura Health values of compassion, respect, integrity, spirituality, stewardship, imagination and/or excellence, said Dr. Tony Pearson, chief medical officer of Longmont United Hospital in a news release.

“Longmont United Hospital is proud to have Dr. Alqaqaa as one of our cardiology physicians and pleased to award him the Physician of the Year Award,” Pearson said. “Dr. Alqaqaa demonstrates all of the values we hold dear at Centura Health and is an example to us all each day.”

The 40-year-old Alqaqaa has been with LUH as an interventional cardiologist for three years. He said he works with a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who perform complicated procedures seamlessly, Alqaqaa said.

“There could have been a number of people who got this award,” Alqaqaa said. “The talented people who work here with me make my job easier. We really are truly here to serve the community.”

Prior to joining LUH, Alqaqaa worked at Colorado Heart and Vascular in Westminster and at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center as an interventional cardiologist. He said he was drawn to LUH because of its small size and emphasis on collaborations both inside and outside the hospital. 

Needless red tape, he noticed, was also discouraged.

“I think the hospital and Centura in general has done a great job integrating physicians in the community,” he said. “I can also walk into any administrative office at any time and ask for help. It’s been awesome.”

“I also do like the atmosphere of a small hospital,” Alqaqaa said. “You really get to know the administrators and the people you serve. I did have other opportunities in this area, but I like to be here.”

The first-ever shock wave procedure done at LUH by Alqaqaa is similar to breaking up kidney stones in the body, he said. New technology shocks blockages to the heart prior to stenting which lowers the risk of artery tear or having a residual blockage after stenting, Alqaqaa said.

He has performed the same procedure three times since doing the initial treatment in November. 

The shock wave procedure is just one example of how fast technology is changing in today’s medical world, he said. “There is no other field where technology is moving this fast,” Alqaqaa said. “There are a lot of moving parts out there to keep track of and I think LUH and Centura has done a good job staying on top of everything.”

“Dr. Alqaqaa is an amazing diagnostician and provides cutting-edge cardiology care to our community,” said Dr. Adam Rush, Emergency Physician and Medical Staff President at LUH. “I can attest to his professionalism, collegial attitude, and integrity. It doesn’t matter if I'm calling at noon or 2 a.m., Dr. Alqaqaa is always ready to provide excellent cardiology care.”