MD
Dr. Michael Aikens comes to CVR after 26 years as a practicing cardiologist. He has been a staple of the Opelika, AL community since 2002, most recently as the owner and CEO of Opelika Cardiovascular Associates, P.C.
Dr. Aikens began his education at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was a full tuition recipient as he pursued a Bachelor of Science, Biology. After earning his medical degree from Boston University, Dr. Aikens completed an internship and residency at the Boston University Medical Center. He moved to Alabama in 1995. His work as a Cardiology fellow at University of Alabama at Birmingham earned him the J. Claude Bennett Award for Excellence in Research as well as grant support. Dr. Aikens he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School, attending physician at UAB Kirkland Clinic, attending physician at UAB hospital and Director of the Cardio Care Unit at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Birmingham.
He began practicing privately in 2002 at East Alabama Cardiovascular & Associates as a managing partner.
Dr. Aikens joined CVR in 2018 to begin treating the underlying causes of venous insufficiency and its symptomatic effects, including leg pain, swelling, skin ulceration and varicose and spider veins.
Dr. Aikens’ became interested in phlebology during his cardiology fellowship at University of Alabama at Birmingham. During his seven years spent looking at the endothelial cells (cells that line blood and lymphatic vessels) he came to realize the essential role they play in the development of chronic venous disease. “What interests me most about venous disease is the opportunity I have to improve people’s health and their lives. I can help stop this chronic disease.”
More doctors are joining CVR every year to work together to advance the field of vascular medicine. Our staff researchers are looking to the future to find new methods and technologies to produce the best possible patient outcomes.
Dr. Aikens is a member of several medical professional societies and has made contributions to cardiovascular research throughout his career. He is dedicated to bringing compassionate care to his patients and is known his thorough approach to medicine.