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A Conversation with Roxana Mehran, MD
For this issue, Dr. Bhatt talks with Roxana Mehran, MD, associate medical editor of Cardiology Today’s Intervention and professor of medicine and director of interventional cardiovascular research and clinical trials at the Zena and Michael A. Weiner Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Mehran began her career as chief medical resident at the University of Connecticut and completed fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She has published numerous articles and serves on the editorial boards of many distinguished journals.
As an internationally renowned interventional cardiologist and clinical trials specialist, Mehran has been recognized for her research in clinical conditions as well as her work with data analysis and being at the forefront of developing innovative ways to study outcomes.
What are your hobbies outside of practicing medicine?
Dr. Mehran: I like to read, ski and run. In fact, I have participated twice in the New York City Marathon. I also enjoy spending time with my three daughters. They are teenagers with diverse interests, so we have very exciting and interesting conversations that allow us to expose one another to different environments.
I also love cooking elaborate meals. As an Iranian-American who immigrated at a young age, I like to use the smells, touch and taste of Persian food to reconnect with my culture. I have lived in the United States since I was 12 years old, but I do have very deep roots in Iran. Cooking Persian cuisine helps intermingle the incredible aspects of Iranian culture with what we have here in the United States.
What was the defining moment that led you to your field?
Dr. Mehran: As an intern, I attended an ECG conference at the University of Connecticut over which Arnold Katz, MD, a legendary figure who wrote Physiology of the Heart, was presiding. At the time, I was tired from being on call the night before and did not know who he was. When he asked me to evaluate an ECG, I was bold and able to answer his difficult questions. Impressed with my answers and willingness to challenge him, he then went to the chief residents and head of internal medicine at the University of Connecticut and requested that I be brought into the program. Two days later, I had an interview and transferred into the program.
After that, Dr. Katz was my main mentor. He took a genuine interest in who I was, advised me and helped steer me toward academic medicine. Even up until his death last year, he continued to follow my career and let me know how proud he was of what I have accomplished. His role truly underscores the importance of mentorship for young physicians.
Who has had the greatest influence on your career?
Dr. Mehran: In addition to Dr. Katz, Martin B. Leon, MD, has had the most impact on my career. He always believed and trusted in me. He also gave me the autonomy to run the Cardiovascular Research Foundation’s Clinical Trials Center, which I founded. Moreover, he was very supportive of my clinical role in the cath lab and was integral in helping me find a way to balance research and clinical duties.
Have you ever been fortunate enough to witness or to have been part of medical history in the making?
Dr. Mehran: I have been fortunate to witness many firsts in medicine while attending scientific meetings, but one of the most memorable moments for me was a conversation I had with Dr. Leon early on in my career.
When we both worked late, Dr. Leon and I often brainstormed about studies, new ideas and future directions for research. One night, he came into my office and asked what I thought about using transcatheter techniques to replace valves percutaneously. My initial reaction was wondering whether he’d had enough sleep! However, after he left, I thought that if he was right, I had just witnessed history. Dr. Leon has been one of the incredible pioneers in this field and I was there when he first discussed transcatheter valve replacement as a concept.
What’s up next for you?
Dr. Mehran: Most importantly, I want to work hard to ensure that women and minorities enter the field of interventional cardiology and be included in large arenas and leadership roles. As someone who has had fantastic mentors, I know how important mentorship is for medical students and young physicians, especially for women and minorities. I believe I am now in a position where I can mentor the next generation of leaders.
In the same vein, I want to close the gender and race gaps in clinical research. As a clinical trialist, it is my responsibility to ensure that underrepresented populations are included in our trials for assessment of devices and drugs.
I am also dedicated to improving outcomes of our patients with CVD by individualizing care. In the future, I hope I can contribute with more analytics and by developing models to help us deliver the best possible care to individual patients. I hope to achieve this goal around the world, not just in the United States, because practice patterns, treatment strategies, health care systems and access to care are different across the globe. – by Melissa Foster