Lester D. Padilla, MD

Board Certified in Cardiology, Dr. Lester Padilla received his medical degree from The Ohio State University and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Padilla was originally interested in and excelled in writing. It wasn’t until he was preparing to graduate from UCLA with a degree in Biochemistry that he decided to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).  Up to that point, he had not considered becoming a physician. “Applying to medical school was a leap of faith for me,” states Dr. Padilla. “I knew that I wanted a graduate degree, but I didn’t have the same conviction that others I knew had about pursuing medicine.  My interest and what has become my passion for medicine developed while in medical school. I have never had any regrets!”

Drawn to both the technical and relational aspects of medicine, Dr. Padilla pursued a specialty in Internal Medicine and subsequently finished a fellowship in Cardiology.  As an invasive cardiologist, Dr. Padilla has a focus in diagnostics, including coronary angiography and echocardiography.  He has an interest in all aspects of general cardiology.

My patients are all different, and I enjoy getting to know them and their interests,” states Dr. Padilla. “Knowing my patients helps me to provide treatment options that they would choose — it’s the patient’s choice — my job is to give them all the information.  I realize that I can’t force patients to do anything — I can only encourage and recommend.  I also rely heavily on primary care physicians’ input and information about their patients, as they usually have had a longer term relationship with a patient.  I view primary care physicians as part of the cardiac team.”