University Cardiovascular Center
2210 E. Illinois Avenue, Suite 508
Fresno, CA 93701
559.320.0545

John Ambrose, M.D., specializes in cardiac consultation, cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography – including angioplasty, stenting and angioplasty utilizing the radial (wrist) approach. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiology and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Ambrose completed his internship, residency and fellowship training at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. His undergraduate work was at St. John’s University and his medical degree was at New York Medical College.

Dr. Ambrose was the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of the Mount Sinai Hospital and prior to coming to Fresno as Chief of Cardiology at UCSF, he served as the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Center at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center. He is a nationally and internationally known expert in the field of coronary artery disease who has published extensively. He lectures throughout the world and has served as Governor of the New York Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and President of the New York Cardiologic Society. He has been included in every edition of "Best Doctors in America".

He and his wife are members of the Fresno Grand Opera chorus and enjoying singing in operas. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. They enjoy traveling and the California coast. Dr. Ambrose likes Saturday mornings.


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University Cardiovascular Center
2210 E. Illinois Avenue, Suite 508
Fresno, CA 93701
559.320.0545

Sarkis Baghdasarian, M.D., is a cardiologist sub-specialized in non-invasive imaging including nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, cardiac CT angiography and vascular ultrasound interpretation.

Dr. Baghdasarian completed his internal medical residency and vascular medicine fellowship at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He also completed a cardiovascular medicine fellowship at the University of Connecticut, with advanced training in nuclear cardiology, echocardiography and cardiac CT. He is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology, adult echocardiography, and vascular ultrasound interpretation.

He served as Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Director of Medical Education at Deborah Heart and Lung Center where he received the Teacher of the Year award in both 2008 and 2009.

Dr. Baghdasarian enjoys outdoor activities with his family and participating in Armenian community events. When time permits, Dr. Baghdasarian loves reading in Armenian. He is a fan of most music genres and enjoys watching CNN, the History Channel, The Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He cherishes the company of good friends over a simple meal, good wine and games.

University Cardiovascular Center
2210 E. Illinois Avenue, Suite 508
Fresno, CA 93701
559.320.0545

Mouatou Mouanoutoua, M.D. specializes in cardiac consultation, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography including angioplasty and stenting, peripheral vascular angiography, transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography with and without sedation, holter and event monitor interpretation. He received his board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Heart Association and the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates.

Dr. Mouanoutoua completed his residency and fellowship training at Aurora Sinai/St. Luke's Medical Centers, University of Wisconsin School – Milwaukee Campus. He attended the University of California, Irvine and Ross University School of Medicine. He trained at the University of the Pacific, School of Pharmacy.

He began his medical career as a pharmacist. He opened Tou’s Pharmacy in 1988 in Fresno and eventually sold the pharmacy in 1993 when he decided to attend medical school. Dr. Mouanoutoua has been described as a “pioneer” within the UCSF Fresno community as he was the first Hmong physician in Fresno County as of October 2005. Becoming a physician has provided Mouanoutoua with an expanded opportunity to take care of patients, especially the Hmong community, which has been underserved by cardiac specialists within their own nationality.

University Cardiovascular Center
2210 E. Illinois Avenue, Suite 508
Fresno, CA 93701
559.320.0545

Henning Rasmussen, M.D., specializes in consultative cardiology. He performs all of the standard noninvasive and invasive procedures including echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, stress testing, pacemaker implantation, cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention including angioplasty and stenting.

He is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Rasmussen's residency and fellowship training were completed at Louisiana State University Medical Center. He attended Harvard College and the University of Michigan Medical School. He served in the U.S. Navy as the ship’s medical officer from 1976 to 1978.

He enjoys hiking.

University Cardiovascular Center
2210 E. Illinois Avenue, Suite 508
Fresno, CA 93701
559.320.0545

Ralph Wessel, M.D. specializes in cardiac catheterization and pacemaker implantation. He is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine.

He completed his internship, residency and fellowship training at UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program and University Medical Center.

He was the Chief of Cardiology at Kaiser Permanente in Fresno, as well as a faculty member of the previous UCSF Fresno Cardiology fellowship. Dr. Wessel has rejoined the Cardiology fellowship and will be predominately teaching the fellows and house staff, in addition to clinical management of patients.

Congestive heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and emergency room readmission. See how Community is helping Valley residents beat out heart failure.



A rise in heart related conditions means more patients need the specialty care of a cardiologist. However, there is an on-going shortage of heart specialists nationwide.