Our team combines a wealth of knowledge and experience with a passion for delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Led by Dr. William Buchanan, a cardiologist with over 30 years of experience, we are committed to helping you achieve your healthiest life.
Dr. William Buchanan
Dr. William Buchanan is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Interventional Cardiology. Born in Sumter, SC, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the College of Charleston, and attended Medical School at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston before completing his Internal Medicine residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and his Cardiology Fellowship at Wake Forest University.
In 1992, Dr. Buchanan founded Coastal Cardiology Associates, PA in Wilmington, and continued to practice under New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Novant until 2024. He has now founded Coastal Cardiovascular Associates, PA, which will provide outpatient cardiology care for the Wilmington area.
In his free time, Dr. Buchanan enjoys aviation, swimming, and kiteboarding. He has a passion for music and enjoys playing the guitar at church with the worship band. Dr. Buchanan is blessed with a large family and enjoys spending time with his five children and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Wilmington. Dr. Buchanan is the owner of several patents, and is cofounder and board member for a medical device company, Salus Scientific LLC in Charleston, SC. He is also a board member for the local Breakthrough T1D board.
Dr. Buchanan believes that healthcare should return to being patient-focused. His goal with Coastal Cardiovascular Associates is to assemble a team of compassionate and caring professionals who provide the highest quality of cardiovascular care for the local community.
Dr. Joseph Helak
Christina Lafoon - Nurse Practitioner
Christina Lafoon, AG/ACNP-BC is a board-certified adult Gerontology acute care Nurse Practitioner specializing in Cardiovascular and Critical Care Medicine. A native of Wilmington, Christina graduated from Hoggard High School. She attended East Carolina University obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Christina’s first job was in the Emergency Department at NHRMC serving two years before transitioning to the intensive care units. In 2006 she accepted a position as a travel nurse where she used her skills in various ICUs and leadership positions nationwide. While traveling she met her now husband (22-year Air Force veteran) Brandon, whom she married in 2009. In 2017, she graduated from Walden University with her Master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Christina’s passion for Cardiology led her to join Cardiothoracic Surgery in Sumter, S.C. where she worked until her husband retired from the Air Force in 2019. She and her family were excited to return to the Wilmington Area to be near her family. The Lafoon Family settled in Hampstead, N.C.. Novant Health Cardiology welcomed her to their practice in 2019, where she excelled as a provider focused on patients. We are privileged to have Christina join the Coastal Cardiovascular Family and are confident that our patients and our community will benefit from Christina’s expertise. Faith is a cornerstone for Christina and her family’s life. In their free time, they enjoy being on the water searching for dolphins.
Rebecca Jones Westendorff - Physician Assistant
Hillary Wilson - Family Nurse Practitioner
As a cardiac nurse practitioner for 10 years, Hillary is dedicated to providing exceptional care to patients with various cardiac conditions. Known for a compassionate approach and expertise in cardiovascular health, Hillary works to ensure the best outcome for each patient. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of the American College of Cardiology. She has lived in Wilmington for almost 20 years, graduating from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in Spanish (2010). She received a Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree from UNCW in 2014. She is married with two children. Outside of work, Hillary enjoys playing tennis, reading, going to the beach, traveling, volunteering, and spending quality time with her family, bringing balance and well-being to both personal and professional life.
