Cleveland Clinic names Dr Samir Kapadia as Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine

In this capacity, Dr Kapadia will lead the team of cardiologists for the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute

Cleveland Clinic has appointed Indian-origin physician Samir Kapadia, as Department Chair of the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine.

In this capacity, Dr Kapadia, who earned his medical degree from Smt NHL Municipal Medical College in Gujarat, will lead the team of cardiologists for the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute.

Dr Kapadia specialises in percutaneous treatment for valve disease, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and specialised clips for mitral regurgitation, as well as complex coronary interventions and other structural heart disease interventions, including paravalvular leak, atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure.

Dr Kapadia joined the staff as an interventional cardiologist in 2003. He served as the director of the Sones Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories since 2009 and as section head of Invasive and Interventional Cardiology since 2014.

He earned his medical degree with highest honors from Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College in 1989, before pursuing further studies in the US. In 1993, Dr Kapadia completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, where he was named Outstanding Resident. He also completed fellowships in cardiology in 1998 and interventional cardiology in 2000 at Cleveland Clinic, where he also served as Chief Interventional Fellow. Following the completion of his training, Kapadia served from 2000 to 2003 as an interventional cardiologist at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, in Seattle, and held an academic appointment at the University of Washington.

“Dr Kapadia has been a dedicated esearcher, educator, innovator and devoted physician to his many patients,” said Lars Svensson, Chair of the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute. “We look forward to his energy and enthusiasm taking our cardiology team to the next level of national recognition as new innovations are implemented.”

Dr Kapadia succeeds Steven Nissen, who served as chair since 2006. Dr Nissen will now be directing academic and research activities as Chief Academic Officer.

“I am absolutely delighted to have Dr Kapadia succeed me as chair of Cardiovascular Medicine,” Dr Nissen said. “He has the rare combination of exceptional skills in the triad of research, patient care and education. The department will maintain its preeminence in the years ahead under his energetic and innovative leadership.”

Dr Kapadia said, “I am thrilled and honoured to lead our world-renowned team of cardiologists at Cleveland Clinic. I hope to lead with example, fostering innovation, accountability and respect.”

Dr. Kapadia is an active member of various national cardiology societies, including the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and Society for Vascular Medicine. He has authored over 450 peer-reviewed articles that have been published in leading journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of American Medical Association and is a leader in numerous major cardiovascular trials, including the recent PARTNER 3 and COAPT investigations. He has 15 patents and received many awards and honors over the years, including numerous innovation awards.

He has edited Cardiology Board Review Book and the Textbook of Interventional Cardiology. He has also served as an Associate Editor of JACC Intervention Journal.