Kelly Chin, M.D.

Internal Medicine - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Lung (Pulmonary) Disorders
Pulmonary Hypertension

New Patient Appointment Accepting Virtual Visits or 214-645-6616

Biography

Kelly Chin, M.D., is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and also serves as the Director of the Heart Lung Clinic. She specializes in the treatment and research of pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Chin attended UT Southwestern for her medical degree and her residency in internal medicine. She went to the University of California, San Diego, for a fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and pulmonary hypertension. She joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2005.

She conducts clinical research into pulmonary hypertension treatments, markers of prognosis, and risk factors for the development of pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Chin is board certified in pulmonary disease and in critical care medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

She has been recognized as a leader in her field, serving on multiple clinical trial steering committees and serving as an Associate Editor for Circulation. She has also received several teaching awards, and has been listed consistently on Texas Monthly's "Super Doctors" and D Magazine's "Best Doctors" lists.

Meet Dr. Chin

Pulmonary Hypertension Specialist

When pulmonologist Kelly Chin, M.D., started treating patients with pulmonary hypertension, it was a newly treatable disease – only six years before, there were no effective treatment options for most people with the disease.

"We offer access to the best treatments for pulmonary hypertension."

Since then, she's witnessed multiple advances in treatment options for patients who suffer from this often fatal disease. The opportunity for her patients to live a better life motivates her.

"After we've started them on therapy, we can see patients get better and really respond in a positive way,” she says. “It's very rewarding as a physician to impact someone's life in that way."

As Director of UT Southwestern Medical Center's Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Research Program, Dr. Chin has also seen the Program grow quickly. It now ranks among the largest centers in the country, providing access to state-of-the-art treatments.

In addition to clinical care, Dr. Chin spends time researching causes and new treatments for pulmonary hypertension. While experts have identified some risk factors for the disease such as medication exposures and certain genes, there is a need to learn more. Dr. Chin is exploring other potential causes, such as a possible connection between stimulant use and pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Chin loves seeing the impact new therapies can have on her patients. A pulmonary hypertension diagnosis no longer means a patient is going to die within a few years, she says.

"While it’s still a serious condition, many people improve and feel a lot better,” Dr. Chin notes. “It's certainly treatable. Patients can achieve a significant improvement in quality-of-life with medication."

Education & Training

Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (1997-2000), Internal Medicine
Fellowship - University of California at San Diego School of Medicine (2002-2005), Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine
Medical School - UT Southwestern Medical School (1992-1996)