Chesapeake & Washington Heart Care Physicians

Chesapeake & Washington Heart Care’s team is committed to excellence and takes pride in providing the highest quality cardiac care.

Our team is comprised of experienced and knowledgeable cardiologists that are dedicated to providing patient satisfaction.

Terence Bertele, M.D.

Dr. Bertele is the Medical Director of Chesapeake & Washington Heart Care. He graduated from New York University and trained in medicine at George Washington University Hospital and Georgetown University Hospital. He has special interests in pacemaker and AICD management and atrial fibrillation treatment strategies.

Awail Sadiq, M.D.

Dr. Sadiq is a board-certified Cardiologist and Interventional Cardiologist. Dr. Sadiq completed
his training in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at University of Nebraska, Omaha, and completed his training in Internal Medicine at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sadiq has a special interest in treating patients with coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and valvular heart disease.

Tulani Washington-Plaskett, MD

Dr. Washington-Plaskett is a board-eligible Cardiologist with additional fellowship training in Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Washington completed her training in Cardiovascular Medicine and subsequently Interventional Cardiology at Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA.

Dr. Washington has special interests in coronary artery disease and intervention, peripheral vascular disease, and cardiovascular disease in women.

Dr. Washington is a native of the Fort Washington area and feels at home serving patients in Southern Maryland.

Walid Alami M.D.

Dr. Alami was the Director of the Cardiac Catherization Laboratories, Chairman
of Medicine and Director of the Heart Failure Clinic at the Arizona Heart Institute & Hospital. He was the Founder of the Heart, Arteries & Veins Practice in Scottsdale, AZ.

Dr. Alami was also awarded ‘Top Doc’ in the Phoenix magazine in 2010, 2011, & 2012. He was an attending at the Clemenceau Medical Center affiliated with Johns Hopkins International in Beirut, LB from 2012-2021.
Dr. Alami has a special interest in coronary and peripheral interventions and in treating varicose veins with minimally invasive techniques.

Alexis Bautochka, NP

Alexis is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She completed training for her masters of FNP at the University of Cincinnati. Her experience includes urgent care before transitioning to cardiology where she treats a variety of conditions such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. Alexis resides in St. Mary’s County with her family, and her hobbies include reading, astronomy, and hiking.

Lilli Conner PA-C

Lilli Conner is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Lynchburg, with a major in Biomedical Science. She received her Master of Medical Science and completed her Physician Assistant training from Wake Forest University in North Carolina in 2021. She enjoys managing various cardiovascular disease states both in the acute and chronic phase to include atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathies. She resides in St. Mary’s county with her husband and dog, and enjoys spending her free time playing tennis.

Upeksha Thilakawardana, DNP

Dr. Upeksha Thilakawardana is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a post-graduate certificate in nursing education from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Upeksha is passionate about patient education and disease prevention.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Upeksha is a newlywed and enjoys spending time outdoors.

Hillary McDonald, PA-C

Hillary McDonald is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and completed her Physician Assistant training at Elon University. She enjoys managing acute and chronic cardiovascular disease, and has a special interest in the role of physical activity in maintaining cardiovascular health. She resides in Southern Maryland and enjoys spending her free time running, swimming, biking, and writing.

Shannon Gilliam, PA-C

Shannon Gilliam is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She has a master’s degree from George Washington University in Exercise Physiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation. She completed her Physician Assistant training from Kings College in Wilkes Barre, PA in 2003. Her experience as a Physician Assistant includes critical care, vascular surgery, emergency medicine, cardiology and pulmonary. She enjoys management of hospitalized patients and has interest in peripheral vascular disease as well as management of long-term cardiovascular illness.

Prince Frederick Office

(410) 535-8262

Leonardtown Office

(301) 475-3240

Waldorf Office

(301) 645-5100