Kamala Tamirisa, M.D.

Biography

Kamala Tamirisa, M.D., FACC, FHRS, FAHA, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she serves as Director of Electrophysiology Research, specializing in advanced device therapy, maternal arrhythmias, and complex cardiac electrophysiology.

Dr. Tamirisa earned her medical degree at the Institute of Medical Sciences at Banaras University in India. She completed a residency in internal medicine at St. Louis University Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident, and completed fellowships in cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, and cardiac MRI at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2026.

Dr. Tamirisa is deeply dedicated to patient care and is committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based cardiovascular care while advancing innovation to improve outcomes for diverse patient populations. Her areas of clinical specialization include:

• Arrhythmias in pregnancy (in collaboration with cardio-obstetrics teams)
• Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillation
• Challenging venous access/venoplasty for device implantation
• Conduction system pacing
• Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
• Cardiac contractility modulation
• Atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia

Dr. Tamirisa’s research focuses on arrhythmias in pregnancy, access barriers to electrophysiology care, health care disparities, and workforce gaps within cardiovascular medicine and electrophysiology. She stays actively involved in clinical research, education, and systems-level initiatives aimed at improving equitable delivery of advanced cardiac care.

She is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), and the American Heart Association. She serves as a reviewer for multiple journals, including Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, American College of Cardiology Journals, Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, and American Heart Journal. She sits on the editorial boards of Heart Rhythm Case Reports, Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, Journal of American College of Cardiology Advances (as Editorial Consultant), and American Heart Journal Plus.

Dr. Tamirisa has held positions on several HRS committees and currently holds a seat on the HRS Board of Trustees. She is also the Governor for the State of Texas for the ACC and is active in national advocacy and women in cardiology initiatives.

She was the founder and host for the ACC’s Women in Cardiology: Practice Made Perfect podcast series, focusing on topics including leadership development, career pathways, allyship, and advocacy for women in cardiology and women in electrophysiology. A dedicated mentor and sponsor, Dr. Tamirisa has guided numerous individuals across the professional continuum, from high school students and undergraduates to medical trainees, early-career physicians, and faculty, many of whom have advanced into leadership roles in medicine and cardiology. She also serves as an executive leadership coach, integrating principles of professional development, ethical values, resilience, confident speaking, integrity, and organizational management to support clinicians, researchers, and health care teams.

Dr. Tamirisa is co-author of the book Prevention of Burnout in Medicine, and she has published extensively on arrhythmia management in pregnancy, gaps in atrial fibrillation care, and advocacy issues affecting women in cardiology and electrophysiology.

Personal Note

When she’s not at work, Dr. Tamirisa enjoys spending time with her family, including her two sons, spouse, and the family’s labradoodle. She is an avid traveler, enjoys concerts and museums, and follows American football, particularly the Michigan Wolverines and the New England Patriots. She is actively involved in community service, including volunteering at food banks, shelters, and youth CPE/AED initiatives.

Dr. Tamirisa is an avid reader, writer, and public speaker, with hobbies including oil and acrylic painting, integrating digital arrhythmia and electrophysiology color maps with art. She enjoys swimming, beach traveling, and watching movies with her family, especially comedies, animated films, and historical dramas. She cultivates a reflective practice through journaling and mindfulness, prioritizing kindness, presence, and compassion.