Interventional Cardiologist Jiandong Zhang, M.D. Joins FirstHealth

PINEHURST, N.C. - FirstHealth of the Carolinas is pleased to welcome interventional cardiologist Jiandong Zhang, M.D., to its care team in Pinehurst and Laurinburg.

Meet Jiandong Zhang, M.D.

Zhang has a long history of serving heart patients and most recently served patients at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. Zhang earned his medical degree from Nanjing Medical University and also completed cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology fellowships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Zhang said his patient care approach is based on being local and grounded, combining experience with science and keeping care both precise and personal.

"Cardiology has advanced tremendously with remarkable tools and technology, but I firmly believe the foundation of medicine is still the human connection," Zhang said. "For me, that means listening carefully, performing a thoughtful bedside examination and taking the time to understand each patient's goals and concerns. I strive to treat every patient as an individual, and my goal is to build long-term relationships based on trust, transparency and respect."

Why FirstHealth?

Zhang said he is excited to join FirstHealth's heart care team and respects the system's commitment to providing high-quality care to the community.

"This region has a growing need for high-quality cardiovascular care, and FirstHealth is meeting that need without losing the personal relationships that make medicine meaningful," he said.

Personal relationships were also important in Zhang's decision to pursue medicine.

"When I first came to the United States, I knew almost no one. During those early days, complete strangers showed me incredible kindness, offering everything from meals to warm winter gloves," he said.

"I've never forgotten those acts of generosity, and medicine became my way of paying that kindness forward. It gives me the opportunity to be there for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives."

Zhang still thinks about a patient recovering from a major heart attack. After months of treatment and rehabilitation, he was able to look him in the eye and say, "Your heart is strong enough to go skydiving"-the adventure the patient had promised himself and his wife for their 20th wedding anniversary.

"Watching someone regain not only their health but also the confidence to pursue life's adventures reminds me why I became a physician. It's where complex science becomes deeply personal," Zhang said.

Life Outside of Medicine

Outside of work, Zhang said his life is centered on family and community. He said he enjoys pickleball and playing guitar, and he said moving to the Sandhills means that playing golf will likely come soon.

"My wife and I spend much of our free time cheering on our two daughters at swim meets, soccer games, gymnastic competitions and music performances," he said. "They keep us busy, humble and constantly entertained. Being present for those moments helps keep me balanced and reminds me what matters most."

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with our Cardiology team in Pinehurst, call 910-715-8600, and for our team in Laurinburg, call 910-610-4278.