Meet Our Providers
Paul M. Popper, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Dr. Paul Popper has served Charlotte County as a leading interventional and consultative cardiovascular disease since 1985. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of nationally recognized cardiology and cardiac surgery programs in both private and hospital-based practice in Charlotte County.
Dr. Popper specializes in adult consultative cardiology, coronary artery disease, cardiac catheterization and angioplasty, advanced heart failure, valvular heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, and device management including implantable loop recorders, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and Barostim for advanced heart failure.
He is a graduate of Temple University and completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship training in invasive and noninvasive cardiology at Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was a member of the Comprehensive Cardiac Catheterization, Angioplasty, and Cardiac Bypass Surgery Team. He achieved board certification in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in 1986 and remains a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and Angiographic Cardiac Catheterization Society.
Dr. Popper is the founder of the Center for the Performing Hearts. He was instrumental in the establishment and expansion of the cardiology in cardiovascular services in Charlotte County in both interventional and cardiac surgery services. During his tenure as Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (1991–2011), The Heart Institute was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 100 Heart Hospitals for five consecutive years. He was the Medical Director of the Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Transition Team and developer for Advent Health of Port Charlotte, new comprehensive cardiac service program and tower.
Throughout his career, Dr. Popper has performed over 20,000 cardiac catheterization and angioplasty procedures and has been recognized as one of America’s Top Cardiologists, as well as Best of Charlotte for Cardiology for three years.
Dr. Popper remains active in clinical practice and ongoing cardiovascular research and continues to serve patients in Charlotte County and surrounding communities, in private practice and at AdventHealth Port Charlotte and Fawcett Memorial Hospitals.
Deborah Jo Dunham, MSN, ARNP-Bc
Mrs. Dunham is an advanced practice registered nurse and cardiovascular nurse specialist. She is a graduate of the Boston College School of Nursing and completed advanced study in cardiovascular nursing and cardiothoracic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is board certified in Adult Health by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and currently practices at the Center for the Performing Hearts in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Her clinical expertise includes adult cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, advanced heart failure management, lipid and hypertension management, women and heart disease, cardiac patient monitoring, clinical instruction, and clinical research.
Mrs. Dunham has been instrumental in the development and expansion of advanced nursing practice and cardiovascular services in Charlotte County, including contributions to cardiology and cardiac surgery programs at Charlotte Regional Medical Center and Peace River Regional Medical Center (now Advent Health Port Charlotte), which were recognized among the nation’s Top 100 Heart Hospitals.
She has served in leadership roles with the American Heart Association at both the local and state levels and has been recognized by the Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a leader in cardiovascular nursing. Her honors include the AANP Award of Distinction for Clinical Excellence in Advance Heart Failure as the 2002 Florida Nurse Practitioner of the Year for her work in nurse-managed outpatient heart failure clinics, as well as multiple lifetime and career achievement awards. She maintains active certification through the AANC for adult health.
Mrs. Dunham remains actively engaged in advancing cardiovascular care through clinical practice, education, research, and community health initiatives, including the development of cardiovascular clinics serving Charlotte County.
John Dempsey ARNP
John Dempsey is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specializing in Emergency Medicine and Cardiology. He completed his graduate studies at Graceland University, where he received advanced training in delivering high-quality, compassionate care in high-acuity and fast-paced clinical environments.
With a strong background in Cardiology and emergency medical care. John brings a patient-centered approach focused on prompt assessment, clear communication, and effective treatment during critical situations. He is committed to providing timely, evidence-based care while ensuring patients feel informed and supported throughout their care experience at the Center for the Performing Hearts.