Dr. Eugene Tanquilut is pleased to announce that Alejandro Del Real, Nurse Practitioner has joined the Vascular Specialists team.
“In the few months since Alex has joined us,” said Tanquilut, “he has contributed to our practice with his expertise, his compassion and his ability to be a real part of the Vascular Specialists family.”
Family is a thread that runs brightly through Del Real’s life. Raised on the Southeast side of Chicago, his parents always put Alex and his older sister Veronica Yeung first. “My mom’s only purpose in life was for us to do okay.” He attended private elementary school and then, along with two cousins, attended St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, WI. “We had strict dress codes, went to Mass three times a week and followed the rules. It was an environment of buddies living, studying and playing sports together. Those friends became brothers.”
He then earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Loyola University Chicago. He began working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and gained experience in surgical services, including robotic, gynecologic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, wound care and postoperative care during his nearly 17-year tenure.
During this time, Veronica had earned her Nurse Practitioner degree and was encouraging Del Real to do the same. “She really pushed to keep me going. She’s like a second mom to me – and my inspiration. It took me ten years to listen to her,” he smiles, “but I did it.”
In 2014, Del Real graduated with honors from Resurrection University in Chicago with a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Family intervened again earlier this year, when Del Real’s cousin Korina, on staff at Vascular Specialists, mentioned how much she enjoyed working for the growing practice. Del Real interviewed with Dr. Tanquilut and knew he’d found a new home.
“At Vascular Specialists, I feel like a real part of the team. The community hospital environment is more collegial, and my knowledge and training is respected.” Patients will see Del Real for initial consultations, explaining symptoms and discussing any preliminary test results. Del Real will order further diagnostic testing, can make a diagnosis and then schedule any necessary procedures. He also handles postoperative care such as managing stroke symptoms and risk factors, performing wound care therapies and administering regular Doppler ultrasound on patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
“PAD is a serious, lifelong disease. We see these patients several times a year for ultrasounds, medication management and lifestyle management, to keep them as mobile and active as possible,” said Del Real. “We want to catch any problems as early as possible, so there is no need for amputation.”
Besides holding his RN and his APN, Del Real is certified by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support, is a Certified Nurse, Operating Room and is a Registered Nurse First Assistant.
Del Real is also a hard core Cubs fan and plays in a Wooden Bat League in the Hegewisch area.
Vascular Specialists is the only practice in the southwest and southern suburbs with three fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeons; Dr. Tanquilut, Dr. Sanjeev Pradhan and Dr. Saadi Alhalbouni. The practice has offices in Olympia Fields, New Lenox, Orland Park and Chicago. The medical staff at Vascular Specialists are experts in treating PAD, stroke, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis, dialysis care, complications from diabetes, abdominal aortic aneurysms and other conditions and diseases of the veins and arteries.
“We know Alex will continue to be a valuable contributor to our practice,” said Dr. Tanquilut. “He listens to his patients, has knowledge and expertise, and the desire to continue to learn evidence-based best practices as they evolve.”
