He describes himself as a proud Trojan. Others describe Antreas Hindoyan, MD, as a guardian angel, a dedicated and gifted physician with great skill and expertise, and an exemplary man.

These accolades recently led to the interventional cardiologist at Keck Medicine of USC being awarded the USC Choi Family Award for Excellence in Patient-Centered Care. The prestigious awards honor physicians, residents, nurses and staff for their unwavering commitment to compassionate patient care. Growing up, Hindoyan and his family knew all too well the devastating effects cardiovascular disease could have, so he set his sights on becoming a cardiologist someday.

That childhood dream came true when Hindoyan graduated from the Keck School of Medicine of USC in 2008, completed his residency at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center and began working in the division of cardiovascular medicine at Keck Medicine in 2015.

“Growing up I saw the profound effect cardiovascular disease could have on individuals, and I wanted to help,” explained Hindoyan, who also is an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School. “At Keck Medicine, taking care of our patients is paramount and we make sure they receive the best care. We’re going to do whatever it takes to find the proper treatments and diagnosis and make sure our patients are happy with their care.”

Colleagues of Hindoyan say his patients are indeed happy with his care — many send in thank you cards and letters saying he has saved their lives; he has demonstrated what the Keck Medicine values and service standards are; he “represents the Keck Medicine name well by going above and beyond”; and that “his level of dedication to each patient is unmatched.”

Ray Matthews, MD, chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine and professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School, said it isn’t uncommon for Hindoyan to give patients his personal cell phone number or walk patients across the medical campus to make sure they find their way.

“Dr. Hindoyan is a fierce advocate for his patients and never ceases to put their interests before his own,” Matthews said. “His affable personality and hearty work ethic are a great combination for success, and he has rapidly built a large cardiology practice at Keck Medicine. Truthfully, he is precisely the type of physician I am sure those who created the Choi Award had in mind.”

— L. Alexis Young