April 15, 2026 Georgia Heart Institute welcomes Vanessa Rusu, PA-C, to care for patients in Braselton View »

A mother's compassion and dedication to her job have led to more expert heart care for people living in and near Braselton. Vanessa Rusu, a certified physician assistant who was inspired to go into medicine by her mother - recently joined Georgia Heart Institute's office in Braselton.

"My mother works as a licensed practical nurse in a Georgia nursing home, and she puts her all into caring for her patients, said Vanessa. "Watching her inspired me to want to do the same."

Vanessa earned her master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from South College in Atlanta. Before joining Georgia Heart Institute, the comprehensive heart and vascular service line of Northeast Georgia Heath System, she worked as a physician assistant at an urgent care clinic and an obesity medicine clinic.

"Throughout my education and career, I've encountered so many patients who were frightened or concerned about their cardiovascular health - and I was drawn to being the person to help them," said Vanessa. "I always want to create an environment where my patients feel heard and feel comfortable enough to learn. We are there to work together to improve their health."

Vanessa, who is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian as well as English, said her main clinical interests are palpitations and atrial fibrillation, a condition that disrupts the heart's normal rhythm.

"These conditions can sound scary when patients first hear about them," said Vanessa. "I want to be able to provide guidance and information for patients to put them at ease and build trust as we begin their treatment journey."

Outside of work, Vanessa's interests include travel, photography and cars - especially BMWs.

"My dad is a mechanic, so I grew up around cars my whole life," said Vanessa. "I like to joke with him that at least my patients can talk to me, but his 'patients' can't do that!"

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Vanessa, call 770-534-2020 or visit georgiaheartinstitute.org/rusu.

Georgia Heart Institute is the most forward-thinking heart and vascular program in the state and includes one of the largest cardiology practices in the region, including more than 120 clinicians seeing patients at more than a dozen locations. With a multi-disciplinary team of experts treating nearly every type of heart and vascular disease and participating in leading national research, we're providing advanced care that ensures lasting heart health for generations. Request an appointment and learn more at georgiaheartinstitute.org.

The experts of Georgia Heart Institute also form the core of the cardiac care team at Northeast Georgia Medical Center's acute care hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton, Winder, Dahlonega and Demorest. It's all part of Northeast Georgia Health System, a non-profit which serves more than 1 million people across the region. Learn more at nghs.com.