Celebrating Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates’ NJ Top Docs

• Posted on: Dec 1 2025
• By: [email protected]

Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates (HCA) has reason to celebrate: twelve HCA physicians were recognized as NJ Top Docs for 2025! This state-wide program recognizes doctors who provide exceptional care across New Jersey, and it’s based on a rigorous review process requiring board certification and years of experience.

According to NJ Top Docs, physicians cannot pay for the designation; instead, they submit their credentials, which are verified by an internal review group that examines education, training, malpractice history, and patient feedback. HCA’s honorees reflect a blend of interventional, non-invasive, and vascular specialists whose dedication to patients sets a high bar.

Meet the HCA Physicians Honored as NJ Top Docs

1. Andrew Rudnick, MD: As a cardiac electrophysiologist, Dr. Rudnick heads HCA’s Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Electrophysiology. He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology.
2. Austin H. Kutscher Jr., MD: A long-time non-invasive cardiologist at HCA and former mayor of Flemington, Dr. Kutscher emphasizes community health. He is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
3. Christopher Garcia, MD: Dr. Garcia is a non-invasive cardiologist with a special interest in valvular heart disease and care for older adults. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.
4. Glen E. Tonnessen, MD: Dr. Tonnessen is a cardiologist and the founder of the cardiac catheterization laboratory. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology, and vascular medicine. Outside of HCA, he serves as managing director of The Vein Institute of Hunterdon.
5. Harnish Chawla, MD: Dr. Chawla is an interventional cardiologist at HCA and part of the Center for Vascular Care team. His expertise includes complex coronary interventions and peripheral vascular procedures, and he is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.
6. Herman Maeuser, MD: A vascular surgeon, Dr. Maeuser is part of HCA’s Center for Vascular Care and serves as medical director of the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and focuses on minimally invasive peripheral vascular procedures and limb-saving revascularization.
7. Robert S. Lind, MD: Recognized as a NJ Top Doc during his final year of practice, Dr. Lind is a retired non-invasive cardiologist and founding member of HCA’s cardiac testing program. He was known for his expertise in echocardiography and for being board-certified.
8. Rupen Parikh, MD: Dr. Parikh is President of the Hunterdon County Medical Society and Director of Vascular Imaging at HCA. He leads the Cardiac Rehab Program at Hunterdon Medical Center and is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, vascular studies, echocardiography and nuclear cardiology.
9. Ted Bialy, MD: As a non-invasive cardiologist and founder of HCA’s Hunterdon Heart Care Program, Dr. Bialy has guided patient education and prevention for decades. He is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
10. Venkatesh Alapati, MD: Dr. Alapati is an interventional and structural cardiologist who leads the Center for Structural Heart Care at HCA. He trained in structural heart disease and is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiology, interventional cardiology, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine.
11. William Schafranek, MD: Dr. Schafranek is an interventional cardiologist who co-leads the Center for Vascular Care. He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology and has helped modernize HCA’s catheterization capabilities.
12. Yaser Elnahar, MD: A non-invasive cardiologist, Dr. Elnahar offers comprehensive evaluation and management of heart disease. He is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine.

These physicians embody Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates’ mission of delivering expert, personalized cardiac care. If you or a loved one experiences cardiovascular symptoms, it’s reassuring to know that this award-winning team offers everything from diagnostic testing to catheter-based interventions within a single practice. Whether you need routine screening or advanced therapy, HCA’s NJ Top Docs work together to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.

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