Your care team — treating you like family.
Every member of our team shares a personalized, patient-oriented philosophy. You’re not rushed through a large hospital system — you’re cared for by people who know you.
Cardiology providers
Dr. Payal Kohli MD, FACC
Founder & Medical Director, Cherry Creek HeartAssociate Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityAssociate Adjunct Professor, Duke UniversityHeart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women — and yet so much of it can be prevented. That conviction is at the heart of everything Dr. Payal Kohli does. An internationally recognized expert in cardiovascular medicine specializing in general, preventive and cardiometabolic cardiology, she founded Cherry Creek Heart on a simple belief: the most meaningful care happens long before a crisis — in an unhurried conversation, in a plan built around your life, and in a partnership that helps you live better, not just longer.
Her path to your exam room runs through some of the finest institutions in medicine. She graduated from MIT with a perfect GPA and from Harvard Medical School magna cum laude, trained in Internal Medicine at Harvard’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and completed her Cardiovascular Disease fellowship at UCSF. She went on to complete four advanced fellowships in all — Cardiovascular Disease, Advanced Echocardiography, Preventive Cardiology, and Clinical Research with Harvard’s renowned TIMI Study Group under Dr. Eugene Braunwald. Today she is an Associate Adjunct Professor of Cardiology at both Johns Hopkins University and Duke University, where she teaches the next generation of cardiologists. At Johns Hopkins, she is also faculty at the prestigious Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.
Dr. Kohli has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in journals including JAMA, The Lancet, Circulation and JACC, and was an early contributor to landmark clinical trials of PCSK9 inhibitors, a breakthrough class of cholesterol-lowering therapies. She has served as Associate Editor of JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging and as the inaugural Media Editor of JACC. She was named the 2022 “Cardiologist of the Year” by the American College of Cardiology’s Colorado Chapter and the 2024 “Gifted Educator of the Year” by the American College of Cardiology, and is a 5280 Top Doctor.
A gifted communicator, she has made thousands of local and national television appearances and is the trusted medical expert for 9News and KOSI 101 in Denver. Through her YouTube channel and her podcast, HeART of Medicine, she makes complex medicine understandable — for patients and colleagues alike.
Yet what her patients remember most isn’t her résumé. It’s that she listens. That she answers every question. That she treats them like family. Dr. Kohli built Cherry Creek Heart so that care could feel personal again — fewer patients, longer visits, and a doctor who truly knows you. Because you don’t always get a second chance at your health, and you deserve someone fully in your corner.
303-364-1057
Sarah Jacobs PA-C
Physician AssistantSarah Jacobs, PA-C, originally from Indiana, comes to Cherry Creek Heart experienced in cardiac care. She earned her undergraduate degree at IUPUI Indianapolis in Health and Rehabilitation Science, graduating top of her class while playing D1 collegiate soccer. She went on to complete her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Indiana University, and acquired her cardiology experience at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. In every year of hire, she was recognized as a top-performing provider in patient satisfaction surveys in the category of “Most Likely to Recommend Provider.” She is passionate about preventive cardiology and loves to hike, ski, and play pickleball in her free time.
Erica Ewing MMSc, PA-C
Physician AssistantErica Ewing, PA-C, brings a strong background in cardiovascular medicine to Cherry Creek Heart. Originally from California, she earned her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California before completing her Master of Medical Science at Marshall B. Ketchum University, where she tailored her training toward cardiology. After graduating, she joined San Diego Cardiovascular Associates, caring for patients across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions in the outpatient setting. She is passionate about helping patients better understand their heart health and partnering with them to achieve their long-term cardiovascular goals. In her free time, Erica enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking.
The people behind your care
Sonographers, medical assistants and office staff who make every visit smooth and personal.
Hope Hanks, RCS
Echo TechnicianHope is a registered cardiac sonographer with four years of experience in patient care, certified through the Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound in Mobile, Alabama. Originally from Colorado, she strives to serve her community with a drive for both cardiac ultrasound and patient care. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and trying new foods.
Michael Watts
Echo TechnicianMichael is a multi-modality sonographer with 8 years of experience in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Originally from Texas, he holds a bachelor’s from The University of Texas, an Associate of Diagnostic Medical Sonography from Amarillo College and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Louisiana State University. He has spent the past five years performing high-quality cardiovascular ultrasound studies in an accredited cardiac imaging lab. Off duty, you’ll find him paddle boarding, playing with his pets, or cooking.
Khadra Zakariya
Medical AssistantKhadra is a dedicated healthcare professional with over two years of experience as a Medical Assistant. She has worked with diverse patient populations and thrives in fast-paced, team-oriented environments. Her passion for helping others has inspired her to pursue her Registered Nurse (RN) degree.
Katalyna Gomez
Medical AssistantKatalyna is a Medical Assistant with a passion for compassionate patient care. She enjoys traveling and is continuing her education with the goal of becoming a traveling healthcare provider for infants and children with special needs — a lifelong goal she is working toward every day.
Kevin Lee Manzanas
Office ManagerKevin holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and brings a strong background in technology and customer service. He supervises all operations and logistics at Cherry Creek Heart, and is polite, friendly and always ready to take on a challenge.
kevin@cherrycreekheart.comKhymverly “Khym” Gerardo
Medical Front DeskKhym is a detail-oriented front desk professional specializing in appointment scheduling, patient communication and records management. Known for her professionalism and organization, she brings a background in accountancy that adds efficiency and attention to detail.
khymverly@cherrycreekheart.comAzeem Ahmad
Practice BillerAzeem manages eligibility, claims, denials, AR follow-up and patient billing with accuracy and consistency. Known for clear communication and strong follow-through, he focuses on clean claims, faster payments and transparent, efficient billing.
billing@cherrycreekheart.comFewer patients.
Better care.
Questions about scheduling or billing? Our front desk is here Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm.
frontdesk@cherrycreekheart.com →Ready to meet our team?
Now accepting new patients for in-person and virtual visits.