Women in Medicine and Science - I-Hui Chiang, MD

I-Hui Chiang, MD, is committed to advancing the field of interventional cardiology and to mentoring the next generation of physicians.

In pursuit of those goals, she serves as an assistant professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Cardiology, the program director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, and director for the Cardiology Clerkship at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, as well as co-director of the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation program at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix — where she is clinically affiliated.

“I chose interventional cardiology because I love the holistic care it allows me to provide," Dr. Chiang explained. "I see patients in outpatient, inpatient and procedural settings, and I participate in both acute and preventative care. The high acuity of the specialty and the ability to perform life-saving procedures make it incredibly rewarding.”

Interventional cardiology focuses on diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel conditions using minimally invasive procedures, including stenting and angioplasty. Dr. Chiang strives to proactively address conditions affecting the heart’s chambers, valves and arteries. One of the pressing issues Dr. Chiang is tackling is the high mortality rate in patients with cardiogenic shock — when your heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. "Despite advances in emergency and acute care, cardiogenic shock remains a significant challenge," she said. 

She is spearheading the creation of a multidisciplinary cardiogenic shock team at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. Her vision is to create a network of teams across Banner facilities, implementing a "hub and spoke" model for early recognition and management.

Dr. Chiang is equally passionate about addressing disparities in health care. "I work with local women’s organizations to advance cardiac care education," she noted. "It’s vital that we address gaps in care and ensure equitable access to life-saving interventions."

For Dr. Chiang, success is defined not only by the care she provides but also by the systems she helps improve. 

"I hope to inspire my trainees to have a deep passion for their patients and academic curiosity," she said. And as a woman in a male-dominated specialty, Dr. Chiang emphasized the importance of collaboration and diversity in medicine. "Diversity improves patient care, education and well-being for everyone in the medical field."

Looking ahead, Dr. Chiang is excited about the continued advancements in interventional cardiology, which have already transformed patient outcomes. “When I started my career, we couldn’t have imagined some of the capabilities we now have. In the next 10 years, I hope to see even more innovation and greater diversity in the field," she said.

Dr. Chiang earned her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas. This was followed by fellowships in general and interventional cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine.

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