Huy Phan
MD PhD FACC FHRS
Dr. Phan was born in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, and spent his early years in Tucson, Arizona. He graduated summa cum laude with honors from the University of Arizona, earning a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. He went on to complete a combined MD/PhD program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center, where his doctoral research focused on Molecular Genetics.
Dr. Phan returned to Tucson to complete his residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center and subsequently served as Chief Resident in the Department of Internal Medicine. Driven by a passion for cardiovascular disease, he pursued advanced fellowship training in General Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology at the University of California, San Diego. He is board-certified in both specialties, as well as in Adult Echocardiography.
Since 2012, Dr. Phan has been serving patients in the East Valley area. He specializes in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, and performs advanced ablation procedures. His expertise includes Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Pulse Field Ablation (PFA), which represent the most current and widely used technologies. He also has experience with Laser Ablation (CardioFocus/HeartLight system). In collaboration with cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Phan offers convergent (hybrid) ablation for patients with persistent and longstanding atrial fibrillation.
Committed to innovation, Dr. Phan incorporates advanced 3D mapping technologies to enhance patient safety and procedural outcomes. He is the first cardiac electrophysiologist in Arizona to eliminate the use of X-ray fluoroscopy in ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), significantly reducing radiation exposure for both patients and medical staff.
For appropriately selected patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk for stroke but cannot tolerate long-term anticoagulation, Dr. Phan offers implantation of left atrial appendage occlusion devices, such as the WATCHMAN or AMULET. These devices help prevent stroke and may allow patients to discontinue blood thinners.
Dr. Phan also implants and manages a wide range of cardiac devices, including loop recorders, pacemakers, defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Phan is actively involved in academic medicine. He has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator in numerous clinical trials, including REAL-AFIB, QDOT PAS, EVERCOOL, PREEMPT-HF, NODE-303, HEAL, and WAVECREST-2, and has presented his research at national and international conferences.
He currently serves as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and has mentored many medical students. Dr. Phan is a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society (FHRS) and the American College of Cardiology (FACC).
Fluent in English and Vietnamese, with working knowledge of Spanish and Thai, Dr. Phan lives in Chandler, Arizona, with his wife, a former special education teacher in the Chandler Unified School District, and their son. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, gardening, and singing karaoke.
Erica Brackin
MSN C-FNP
Erica Brackin joined Valley Heart Rhythm Specialists in 2019. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arizona in 2007. After graduation, Erica worked for 7 years in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Banner Heart Hospital. She then earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner in 2013. Erica has more than 10 years of experience in the field of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology. She is board certified with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is also a member of the Heart and Rhythm Society (HRS) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
Erica is passionate about cardiovascular diseases, especially rhythm abnormalities. She is eager to help patients keeping their hearts healthy. Erica is excited to be a part of Dr. Phan’s team and is looking forward to provide excellent care for her patients.
Erica was born in Pennsylvania but has been in Arizona for more than 30 years (so yes, she considers herself a native Arizonan!). She currently lives in Ahwatukee with her husband, two children and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and running. She has participated in many half marathons and marathons around the country.