Ganesh Raveendran, MD, Named Chief of the Cardiovascular Division
We are delighted to announce that Ganesh Raveendran, MD, MS, MBA, has been appointed as Chief of the Cardiovascular Division in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Raveendran is a Professor of Medicine and will be the inaugural chair holder of the Dr. Jay N. Cohn Endowed Chair in Cardiology. He has been an outstanding member of our faculty since 2006. He has served admirably in a number of key leadership roles, most recently as Clinical Chief of the Cardiovascular Division and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC).
Cardiovascular medicine is one of the most storied programs at the U of M, with a rich legacy of clinical innovation, medical education, and scientific discovery. In his new leadership capacity, Dr. Raveendran will be responsible for advancing the clinical and academic programs in cardiovascular medicine, which is among our Medical School’s growth priorities.
Dr. Raveendran is a nationally recognized expert in innovative cardiac catheterization techniques and cardiovascular interventions in critical care and other high-risk patients. With Dr. Raveendran's visionary leadership, UMMC launched multiple innovative clinical programs, including the Structural Heart Disease Program and the creation of the cardiology critical care section, which has grown significantly over the past 15 years. Dr. Raveendran also created and directed the Minnesota Valve Consortium, leading UMMC to become a leading transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) center for high-risk patients. Dr. Raveendran was honored with the Department of Medicine Clinical Excellence Award for his clinical contributions.
In addition to his clinical leadership responsibilities, Dr. Raveendran is an active researcher and educator. His research focuses on structural heart disease procedures and devices, where he is Principal Investigator on several clinical trials, including studies to evaluate TAVR valves and coronary hemodynamics in revascularization. Dr. Raveendran is a dedicated educator who holds the Program Director position for three cardiovascular fellowship programs. In addition, he led the expansion of the General Heart Disease Fellowship Program, creating one of the largest General Heart Disease fellowships in the country as well as two subspecialty fellowship programs. He was instrumental in founding the annual Minnesota Valve Symposium, a physician continuing medical education event that attracts international praise and participation. For his dedication to learners and education excellence, he has received the Yang Wang Lifetime Educator Award and Teacher of the Year Award within the Cardiovascular Division and the Education Excellence Award from the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Raveendran obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and completed residency at Wayne State University. He completed a Critical Care Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and General Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology fellowships from the University of Minnesota. In addition, he holds a master’s degree in Clinical Research Design & Statistical Analysis from the University of Michigan and a master’s in business administration from Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee. He is also a graduate of the David A. Rothenberger Leadership Academy.
We also sincerely thank Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS, who has provided interim joint leadership within the Cardiovascular Division, where he has given direction and perspective for research activities and faculty. Dr. Chen will continue his role as the Director of the Lillehei Heart Institute, a premier clinical and basic science research institute focusing on cardiovascular genomics, heart development and regeneration, stem cell therapies, heart failure, vascular biology, and device design to treat cardiovascular diseases.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Raveendran and thanking both him and Dr. Chen for their ongoing service to our Medical School.
