Kelly Chin, M.D.

Kelly Chin, M.D.

Medical Director, University Hospital Heart & Lung Clinic | Director, Pulmonary Clinical Research Unit

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

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

Appointment New Patient Appointment or 214-645-6616

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Biography

Kelly Chin, M.D., M.S.C.S., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of its Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. She serves as the Director of the Heart and Lung Clinic, and specializes in the treatment and research of pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Chin holds a bachelor's degree with honors in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her medical degree and completed internal medicine residency training at UT Southwestern, followed by fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of California San Diego.  She also completed both a master's degree in clinical sciences with honors from UTSW through the UT Southwestern Clinical Scholar's Program. She is currently serving as Director of Pulmonary Hypertension Research. She previously served as the Director of the UTSW Pulmonary Hypertension Program from 2010-2023.

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

Board certified in pulmonary disease and in critical care medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Chin joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2005.

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."

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  • 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)
  • Pulmonary Hypertension Association
  • American Thoracic Society
  • American Medical Association
  • American College of Chest Physicians
  • D Magazine Best Doctor, 2021-2023, 2025
  • College of Natural Science Dean’s Honor List 1989-1992 1990
  • Southwestern Medical Foundation Medical School Scholarship 1992-1996 1992
  • College of Natural Sciences College Scholar Award 1992
  • Finalist, Alfred Soffer Research Award 2007, ACCP Original Research Award
  • Pulmonary Hypertension

Clinical Focus

  • Lung (Pulmonary) Disorders
  • Pulmonary Hypertension

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Q&A by Dr. Chin

Links

Results: 1 Locations

University Hospital Heart and Lung Clinic

at Professional Office Building 2 5939 Harry Hines Blvd., 6th Floor, Suite 600
Dallas, Texas 75390 214-645-5505 Directions to University Hospital Heart and Lung Clinic at Professional Office Building 2, Dallas Parking Info for University Hospital Heart and Lung Clinic

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