FORT SMITH - A passion for medicine runs deep in Dr. Aswini Kumar's family.

As a cardiologist, she involves patients in every step of their medical journey and encourages them to make lifestyle changes to improve their health.

Dr. Kumar is originally from Chennai, India. She received her medical degree at Chengalpattu Medical College in India. She completed a residency in internal medicine at State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. She was also fellowship trained in cardiovascular disease at the University of Connecticut's Hartford Hospital.

Outside of work, Dr. Kumar enjoys traveling and painting. Her husband is an oncologist who will join Mercy in Fort Smith next summer.