Richard Kovach, MD, Division Director of the Interventional Cardiology Program at Deborah Heart and Lung Center has announced the appointment of cardiac interventionist Muhammad Raza, MD, as Director of the Structural Heart Program. He will also assume the Directorship of Deborah’s Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program beginning July 1.

Dr. Raza joins Deborah from the Chester-Crozier Medical Center, Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center, and University of Pennsylvania. He served as medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Structural Heart Disease Program at Chester-Crozier Medical Center. He also served as Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine.

A graduate of Punjab Medical School in Pakistan, Dr. Raza did his residency in internal medicine, and his cardiovascular and interventional cardiovascular fellowship training at Drexel University College of Medicine. He completed his structural heart disease training at the University of Pennsylvania.

He has extensive experience in complex coronary interventions, transcatheter valve replacement, PFO/ASD closures, and left atrial appendage closure. In addition to his procedural skills, Dr. Raza has considerable teaching experience with numerous prestigious medical schools.

Board certified in cardiovascular medicine, interventional cardiology, and a registered physician in vascular interpretations, he has also had a wide range of research experience working on a number of ground-breaking clinical trials. He is extensively published in several professional journals, including The Journal of the American College of Cardiology. He is a thought leader in the field of structural heart disease and has presented at professional conferences and symposia.

Dr. Raza is a member of the American College of Cardiology, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and the Cardiovascular Institute of Philadelphia.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Raza join our interventional team,” said Dr. Kovach. “He has a wide range of specialty skills that will be extremely beneficial to our patients. I am looking forward to him joining our structural heart team as we continue to grow and treat the most complex cases. He has been a proven teacher and mentor to fellows, residents and students. I am confident in his robust leadership skills in heading up our interventional fellowship program, continuing to build on its national reputation for training the next generation of cardiac interventionists.”

In his spare time, Dr. Raza enjoys traveling, hiking, coaching basketball, and spending time with his family.